Foreign tourists may be allowed to return to Tibet sometime in June, Beijing News reported today.

Tours to Tibet were suspended after riots erupted in the autonomous region's capital of Lhasa on March 14.

All parties should make an effort to minimize the fallout from the riots and revive the tourism industry as soon as possible, Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the region, said on Tuesday.

During the three-day riot, at least 22 civilians and one police officer were killed, which also resulted in 382 injuries. Damage caused by smashing, burning and ransacking was estimated at more than 244 million yuan, according to previous reports.

Tibet's tourism industry has been slowly returning to normal since mid April.

Tourists from China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions were granted entry into Tibet earlier this month.

Lhasa greeted its first 15-member domestic tour group on April 24, a sign that indicated safety concerns have been assuaged.

Puncog also said that Japanese tourists, the most frequent overseas travelers to Tibet, may help boost the stagnant tourism industry given that Chinese President Hu Jintao is now on a state visit in that country to cement bilateral ties, the report said.

Last year, 78,000 Japanese tourists visited Tibet and this figure is expected to rise to 100,000, the report said, citing the Tibet Tourist Bureau.

The region has seen a steady growth in foreign tourists, which is second only to Guangdong Province in the country.

Lhasa received more than 2.7 million visitors last year, generating 4.85 billion yuan (US$702.9 million). It aims to increase the number by 30 percent to 3.3 million this year, the report said.

The tourism industry accounts for close to 70 percent of Lhasa's GDP.

Lhasa reopened its landmark Potala Palace on March 26, for the first time since its business was suspended after the riot, a move the regional government said was to protect the precious cultural heritage and the safety of tourists.

(Shanghai Daily May 8, 2008)