The tourism industry in Tibet has been slightly affected by the recent earthquake, and touristss can rest assured about coming to Tibet, according to the Tibet Tourism Development Committee on May 19.

Wang Songping, deputy director of the Tibet Tourism Development Committee, said that although Zham, Gyirong, and Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp are temporarily closed, other tourism destinations in Tibet have been unaffected, and tourists should feel safe about visiting Tibet.

"Nyingchi, Ngari and Nagqu prefectures, Nam-tso, and Yamdrok Lake are all open to visitors,"said Bai Zhen, an employee at the Holy Tibet International Travel Agency.

Although Zham and Gyirong located in Shigatse Ctiy, Shigatse still has places to visit such as Tashilhunpo Monastery . Tourists should be advised that only a few places in Tibet have been affected by the earthquake, and they can still choose to come to Tibet as their destination，according to Bai Zhen.

Data released by the Tibet Tourism Bureau shows that during the first quarter of this year, the region received 464,167 domestic tourists, an increase of 26.1 percent from that of last year. Of this number, 1,934 people were foreign tourists, an increase of 15.4 percent. The total revenue for tourism so far this year has reached 519.88 million yuan yuan, an increase of 38.4 percent.

The recent Nepal earthquake caused varying degrees of damage in the areas located near the China-Nepal border such as Zham, Gyirong, and Mt. Qomolangma Base camp in Tingri County of Shigatse, Tibet.

(One US dollar equals to about 6.2014 yuan)