A Tibetan family hotel attracts thousands of visitors

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

A Tibetan family hotel attracts thousands of visitors? What is it special? Not the house, but the owner. The owner of the family hotel in Tibet is Uncle Pingcuo. Twelve years ago, the man known to thousands of visitors to Tibet as "Uncle Pingcuo" was a humble sheep herder. Today, he’s transformed his village into a major destination for tourists.

Meet 64-year-old Uncle Pingcuo. Here’s he’s helping two new visitors get to know the village. Entering the room, Uncle Pingcuo has brought some firewood to boil the butter tea for his guests. His wife is also busy preparing lunch. Finally, Uncle Pingcuo sits down with us and shares his business vision.

Pingcuo said "It began in the year 2000. A tourist came to our village to buy herbs. After visiting my home they asked to stay here. I said they were very welcome. They became my first guest. "

Uncle Pingcuo was a herdsman at that time, living mainly by tending sheep and gathering food from the forest. But this event inspired him – and he decided to open a family hotel.

Pingcuo said, "At that time when we first opened the hotel there were only eight beds. The toilet condition was relatively poor. But our revenue increased as more and more visitors came. That allowed us to decorate and improve facilities. Now we accommodate more than 2000 tourists every year."

Under the glass of the coffee table here, there are many name cards. All are left by the guests.

He said "It is helpful to leave a business card so we can contact those guests, in case some of them forgot their cameras or other valuables. I also have a mobile phone, so the guests can reach me at any time. "

Tourists from all over the world meet at Uncle pingcuo’s family hotel, and he has become an important part of their memories of Tibet.

A tourist said, "Uncle brought food for us to eat; he is like our own grandfather. It is very comfortable and free here, like our own home.”

Another tourist said, "This place has a soul, I can’t help but love it here. There is blue sky and white clouds and smiling faces. I am Feeling particularly happy, I love this place and will definitely come back."

Today, the hotel has 24 beds, but is still full at peak times and guests need to book a month in advance. Uncle Pingcuo is planning to build another storey at the hotel to expand the business. Inspired by uncle Pingcuo, there are now more than 20 family hotels in the village; Zhaxi gang village has become a major tourist center.

Pingcuo said, "Some young people came here, chatted and laughed with me. When they left, they were loath to part from us and cried, I cried as well. "

If you travel to Tibet, do spend at least one night in a family hotel to experience Tibetan people’s daily life and their culture.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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