China reopens Tibet to foreign tourists

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The first group of foreign tourists, from Sweden, arrived at the airport near the capital, Lhasa, on Wednesday morning, said Tibetan Tourism Bureau spokesman Liao Lisheng.

"Tibet is open now to all travelers from home and abroad," he said.

China threw a curtain around Tibet and areas in nearby provinces with sizable Tibetan populations after the March violence, citing the safety of foreign tourists and journalists.

But a notice on the bureau's Web site said life in Lhasa had returned to normal, noting the June 21 torch relay "provided a more solid foundation for a stable society."

The torch relay, which was criticized by overseas Tibetan activist groups and had been considered a potential flashpoint, passed without event under heavy security.

The tourist bureau's notice said the struggle against "separatists" who want to split Tibet from China was over.

"Tibet's society is stable and harmonious, its markets bustling, and its environment beautiful," the notice said.

The March violence and the subsequent tourist ban have taken a major toll on Lhasa's economy, which has grown increasingly reliant on tourism since the start of rail service nearly two years ago.

Tibet had 4 million visitors in 2007, up 60 percent from the previous year, the official Xinhua News Agency reported earlier this year. Tourism revenues hit $687 million, more than 14 percent of the economy.

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