[Photo by Duan Hongwen/Asianewsphoto]

More than 6.8 million Chinese and foreign tourists visited Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region in the first half of 2016, up 31.9 percent year on year, authorities said Thursday.

Tourism revenue during the period increased by 32.1 percent year on year to 7 billion yuan ($1.05 billion), according to a statement issued by the regional tourism development commission.

Tourism authorities and resorts now offer special tours, inviting visitors to enjoy the region's festivals, hiking trails, and cuisine. it said.

Tourism experts forecast more tourists in the following months than the first half as the region will host the China Tibet Tourism and Culture Expo, and celebrate the shoton (Yogurt) and the horse race festivals.