China lifts ban on tourist entry to Tibet

KATHMANDU, July 31: China is lifting ban on issuance of permits for third country visitors to Tibet from Monday.



The ban had forced tour operators based in Nepal to cancel and postpone more than 2,000 Kailash-Mansarovar packages.[break]



“We´ve been informed by China-India Pilgrims Service Center, Lhasa, that permit issuance will resume from Monday,” said Tenzin Norbu, president of Association of Kailash Tour Operators of Nepal (AKTON).



China had barred entry of third country tourists about a month ago to beef up security in Tibet ahead of Chinese vice president Xi Jinping´s visit.



Nepal is a popular entry point for Indian and third-country tourists. They mostly visit Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. The cost of package ranges from $1,700 to $2,000 per person. According to tour operators, 25 percent of the package cost is retained in Nepal as Tibet-bound tourists stay at least three to four nights here.



Tour operators selling Kailash-Mansarovar packages had to face huge loss due to entry ban without further notice. July is considered the peak tourist season in Tibet.



"We´ve already started receiving booking and hopeful of good business in the upcoming months," Norbu said, adding that Tibet Tourism Bureau had started accepting application for the permit.

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