The second tourism and culture expo kicks off in Lhasa, capital of Tibet in southwest China, Monday morning.

Officials, experts and representatives of companies from countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Nepal and Russia, as well as 24 provinces, municipalities and regions attended the expo, which will last till September 30.

Forums and exhibitions on Tibet's tourism, culture and the Tibetan medicine industry, as well as investment and trade promotion will be organized during the expo, said Ai Juntao, deputy head of the organizing committee's office.

"Huge progress has been achieved in the development of tourist industry in Tibet, which has become a pillar of the region's economy," said Li Shihong, deputy head of the China National Tourism Administration.

Tourism revenue, accounting for over 20 percent of the region's GDP, rose 30 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2015. Tibet aims to host 17 million tourists this year.

"Tibet will seize the strategic opportunity of Belt and Road Initiative, opening up further to both domestic and foreign tourists," said Losang Jamcan, chairman of the regional government.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2015)