A Year of Tourism Triumph and Economic Expansion in 2024

The Xizang autonomous region is actively working towards becoming a premier global tourist destination. A senior official announced that the number of visits from overseas travelers nearly doubled last year.

In 2024, Xizang welcomed over 63.89 million tourists from both domestic and international locations. This represents a 15.8 percent increase compared to the previous year. The surge in overseas visitors was particularly significant, with their trips nearly doubling. Gama Cedain, the region's chairman, shared these details during a State Council Information Office news conference focused on Xizang's economic and social progress over the past six decades.

Gama Cedain highlighted the region's strategy of integrating the cultural tourism sector with broader economic and social development. He emphasized the high standards being applied in the development of the tourism industry. He also extended a warm invitation to visitors from around the world to experience the region's stunning landscapes, immerse themselves in Tibetan culture, and witness its ongoing development.

Wang Junzheng, the Party secretary of Xizang, reported that the region's GDP reached 276.5 billion yuan in 2024. This figure represents a remarkable 155-fold increase compared to 1965, the year the region was established, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9 percent.

The region's economic growth has accelerated significantly. While it took 50 years to reach the first 100 billion yuan in GDP, the second 100 billion yuan milestone was achieved in just six additional years. The GDP is projected to exceed 300 billion yuan this year.

Modern industries, including clean energy and cultural tourism, are flourishing, contributing to the foundation of a modern industrial system. The region is strengthening its self-sustaining development capabilities, with key economic indicators consistently ranking among the highest in the country in terms of growth rates.

Significant advancements in infrastructure have also played a crucial role, effectively ending the region's isolation. By the end of 2024, Xizang had over 124,900 kilometers of roads, 1,359 km of railway, and 183 domestic and international air routes. The region has also made progress in energy and digital connectivity, with comprehensive power grids and 4G networks extending to even the most remote villages.

Ecological conservation remains a top priority for the Xizang government. Over 50 percent of the region's land is under ecological protection. The region has implemented an integrated approach to protect its mountains, rivers, forests, grasslands, and wetlands.