Beijing, August 23 (CNS) -- Tourism in Tibet has enjoyed steady and healthy development during recent years to become one of Tibet's most important trades.

This has taken place at a time when the local economy is well developed, infrastructure facilities have improved and there is social stability.

The autonomous region welcomed 98,000 tourists in the first half of this year, 14,500 of whom were overseas visitors, up 7 percent over the same period last year. During the same period, business turnover was RMB66m, a gain of 10 percent over the first six months of last year.

Some 4,000 people are employed in Tibet's tourism industry, and there are also 47 tourist hotels and 45 travel agencies throughout the region. Tibet has developed into a major tourism spot, with Lhasa as its centre, boasting rich historical relics and cultural treasures. A variety of travel facilities are available, including mountaineering, pilgrimage, adventure, ecological and geographic inspection trips, landscape sightseeing, nature trails and folk culture visits.