Tibet plans to keep doors closed to tourists

Although Tibetan authorities promised earlier this month that this region of China would be reopened to foreign tourists starting in May, local officials appear to have gotten cold feet and have announced that contrary to these original reports, Tibet will remain off limits to foreigners for the next several weeks. The main reasons appears to be fears that anti-Chinese human rights protesters may use the Mount Everest section of the Olympic torch relay as an opportunity to demonstrate against Communist China and cause similar incidents, which plagued London, Paris and San Francisco only a few days ago. The Tibetan Tourism Bureau has apparently sent notices to travel agencies and tour operators in this part of China, informing them to suspend all reservations for foreign tourists. Officials reportedly justified their decision by telling these tour operators that the number one priority was to ensure that the Olympic torch relay goes forward without any embarrassing incidents and protests.

Originally, the tourist bureau promised that this region in the Himalayas would finally reopen to foreigners as of Thursday, May 1st. One of the Tibet China Youth Travel Service’s employees noted that last May, his organization scheduled various tours for as many as 4,000 foreigners and that if authorities keep the borders closed next month, this will very negatively impact the area’s tourism industry.

Human rights protesters are still furious over the fact that China—a country with a dismal record when it comes to civil liberties—will host the 2008 Summer Games. Additionally, the recent Chinese crackdowns in Tibet has left as many as 154 Tibetans dead, and these incidents have fuelled the resolve of protesters to hinder the passage of the Olympic torch. Several western countries, including Canada and the United States, have not ruled out boycotting the opening ceremonies of the upcoming Olympics.