The tourism bureau in Gyalze county of Shigatse in Tibet autonomous region has apologized for the improper behavior of a staff member who stopped tourists from observing and taking photos of the natural landscape of Kharakla Glacier.

The incident occurred on July 30, when several tourists were prevented by the staff from taking photos of the glacier from the National Highway G349. The staff said that the spot where the tourists were trying to take photos was within one to two kilometers from the scenic site, and that he had been instructed by his boss to prevent tourists from taking photos or viewing the scenery without tickets.

The tourists argued that taking photos from the highway was a matter of course, and that they should not be charged for doing so. After the video of the incident was posted on social media, many netizens expressed outrage at the behavior of the staff member and the scenic spot.

In response to the incident, the Gyalze tourism bureau launched an investigation and issued a statement July 31 apologizing to the tourists.

The statement said that the incident was verified to be true, and that the scenic operator and relevant responsible persons had been given serious warning.

The bureau also said that it would establish tourist service and dispute resolution centers in scenic areas, and would carry out regular on-site law enforcement to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of tourists.

Liao Zhiqiong, head of the bureau, said that the county government attaches great importance to the public concern about the random fee collection at the Kharakla Glacier Scenic Area.

"We have immediately set up a joint working team led by the bureau to investigate and take actions to regulate and rectify the tourism spot," Liao said. "It is confirmed that the staff interfered with tourists from parking vehicles and taking photos on the National Highway G349 outside the Kharakla Glacier Scenic area."

Liao also said that the bureau will establish tourist service and dispute resolution centers in scenic areas, carry out regular on-site law enforcement, and receive complaints from tourists on site to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of tourists.

By Daqiong and Palden Nyima in Lhasa