As Tibet is entering the best season for traveling, the region, famous for its grand scenery and unique ethnic features, will see a big increase in tourism from next month.

Tourism in Tibet has seen a boom since the launch of "tour Tibet in winter" by the region's Tourism Bureau last year. In the first two months this year, the region reported a sharp rise in the number of visitors as many went there to experience the traditional Chinese Spring Festival as well as the Tibetan New Year.

Two visitors pose for photos in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, February 17, 2009.

As it is getting warmer, March continues to see an enlarging tourist population.

"There will be even more in April," said Xu Jianmin, manager of Lhasa Tourism Company.

"As it is getting warmer, the weather is getting nicer. Moreover, the air oxygen content is higher, and more suitable to be in Tibet. Besides, it is not the peak season yet, tickets for the Potala Place and train transportation are more available," he added.

"By now, we already have dozens of groups slotted in for April, among them, half are from overseas," said Century Travel Agency manager Wang Shixin.

In March, the Century Travel Agency received the same number of domestic tourists as it did the same month last year. To attract more, it has cut prices for certain travel routes and put more efforts in products promotion.

By mid-April, the number of tourists will shoot up largely, according to Wang. It is expected to see the same number as that in April 2007 -- a record month in history.

(Tibet Business March 26, 2009)