The queues returned outside the city's landmark Potala Palace at the weekend as Tibet reopened its doors to tourists following a one-month suspension.

The move was welcome news for travel agencies in the autonomous region, with more than 500 visitors expected to arrive and boost the local economy before April 20, said its tourism bureau.

"We will soon be receiving more foreign tourists than any other time since March 14 last year," said Liu Mingzan, manager of the Tibet Qamdo International Travel Agency, which will be leading five tour groups from overseas over the next few days. "We're fully prepared for the rush."

The Tibetan authorities barred foreigners due to fears over security during the anniversary of the violence seen on March 14 last year.

But Bachug, head of Tibet's tourism administration, assured: "Tibet is harmonious and safe. Travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are prepared for the tourists."

A German visitor named Nick, part of a group that arrived in Lhasa for a six-day tour on Saturday night, told Xinhua News Agency: "I have no worries about the safety here, everything appears normal. The Tibetans I have met are very hospitable, which makes me feel at ease."

His group is expected to take in Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, Mount Qomolangma and the Norbu Lingka, before heading to Napal.

Nick added: "I have been preparing for the trip since last year. The places I really want to go are Potala Palace and Mount Qomolangma."

German tourists arrived at the railway station in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 4, 2009.[Xinhua]

A tour guide greets a German tourist at the railway station in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 4, 2009.[Xinhua]

(China Daily April 6, 2009)