Since this January 1, travel agency can book tickets in advance for entering Tibet's architecture icon Potala Palace from its administration directly instead of booking from Tibet Tourism Bureau, which is adopted for years.

The new policy increases the workload of the administration, but offers convenience to tourist groups, said Qamba Kelzang, head of Potala Palace Administration.

To book tickets in advance for visiting the Potala Palace via the local tourism bureau, which aims to limit the tourist arrivals, is one of the actions taken to protect the palace under world cultural protection list.

Qamba Kelzang said travel agency should book tickets three days ahead after the visiting date and tourist number are decided by local tourism bureau.

Not more than 30 people are allowed in each group and should finish the visit within one hour.

Since 2002, when the second renovation project started, the Potala Palace has been restricting the daily tourist number. Since July, 2006, the daily reception is less than 2,300 persons.

The new measure is carried out mainly to cope with tourism peak season in summer days, and provides convenience for tourists, said Qamba Kelzang.

(China Tibet Information Center January 10, 2009)