By Palden Nyima and Daqiong in Lhasa | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-02-22 15:17

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. [Photo/Xinhua]

More than 25 million tourists are expected in the Tibet autonomous region this year, its tourism authority announced on Wednesday.

The visitors are expected to generate more than 37 billion yuan ($5.38 billion) in revenue, according to the Tibet tourism development commission.

It is estimated that Tibet's tourism industry will lift 30,000 people out of poverty this year.

Last year, the region received more than 23 million domestic and overseas tourists, up 14.8 percent year-on-year. Total tourism revenue hit more than 33 billion yuan, an increase of 17.3 percent year-on-year.