The Qinghai–Tibet railway and Tibetan tourism: Travelersʹ perspectives

The Qinghai–Tibet railway opened in July 2006 and boosted Tibetan tourism markedly due to the increased accessibility and affordability of travel to Tibet. This study evaluates the impacts of the increased accessibility on touristsʹ travel decisions for, and experiences in, Tibet from travelersʹ perspectives. The relative importance of the train journey in comparison with the destination experience in Tibet is also examined. A survey of 187 travelers, 82 for the pre-visit and 105 for the post-visit samples, was used to collect travelersʹ perceptions. Important destination choice factors for Tibet are identified. The importance of the railway to touristsʹ destination choice of Tibet and in their overall travel experience of Tibet is confirmed.