Latest situation about Tibet permit, important to know

Hi all,

This is not a piece of good news but important to know, I posted here several days ago that the Tibet permit application was resumed from 29th, March and some permits have been approved already; from 1st, April, Tibet will see non-Chinese tourirsts again; however, there is bad news for those who travels alone or wishes to join a group to save money, because according to the lastest rules, tourists of different nationalities are not encouraged to travel in the same group under the same permit, permit for such groups of multi-nationalities is likely to be rejected without prior notice. And rejection of such tours occurred many from 29th, March till now, even for couples but under different nationalities. Another new trend (not rules) is that the permit for groups to Mt. Everest or Nepal border is not likely to be approved either, at least, currently the situiation is like this when Tibet starts to be open, i guess the reason is Mt. Everest is seen as a senstive place in the eyes of officials. Anyway, this is just what happening those 2 or 3 days, hope situiation will become better and better as time goes by.

This about being of the same nationality is what has happened before. Lets hope they reverse this quickly or there are going to be many disappointed travellers.

The nationality rule is a backhanded way of the Chinese gov't trying to discourage independent foreign travelers who form up "groups" in places like Chengdu or Xining. Of which many are mixed-nationality out of convenience and cost-sharing necessity. At the same time, not affecting in the big prepackaged group tours$$$ normally marketed in countries outside China...most of which would be comprised of groupies from the same country.