Tourism revenue surges in Tibet

Tibet's annual revenue from tourism increased 23 percent in 2014 to more than 20 billion yuan (3.2 billion U.S. dollars), local authorities said on Monday at the autonomous region's congress assembly.

To boost the sector, the regional government last year launched a series of events to shore up the image of Tibetan tourism, including an international tourism expo held by the region's government last September.

The region's tourism authority also promoted seven "special travel routes" and travel agents promoted traditional Tibetan festivals to further attract tourists.

In addition, travel agencts were punished for unfair competition, as were tour guides that flouted regulations or were involved in deception for financial gain.