Free Tibet campaigners have urged British travellers to patronise Tibetan businesses when they visit the annexed region.

This follows the Chinese government's announcement that it plans to kickstart tourism in the region. It is particularly keen to modernise Tibet's capital Lhasa and link it with China via a 700-mile-long railway.

At the moment Tibet attracts adventure travel specialists such as Explore and Exodus and package tour groups who come to visit monasteries and mountain scenery. 'Independent travellers should read up on the issues surrounding Tibet before they travel and use Tibetan-run hotels and restaurants,' said Alison Reynolds, director of the Free Tibet Campaign. 'Too often much of the tourist dollar ends up in Chinese pockets because they own most of the hotels and tour companies.'

Reynolds also warned tourists not to engage Tibetans in sensitive political discussions because of fears for their safety. Tourism Concern says it receives many inquiries from travellers concerned about visiting Tibet in the light of human rights' abuses.

'The Dalai Lama has already made it clear he wants people to witness the oppression in Tibet and tell others of their experiences,' said Lara Marsh, campaigns officer for Tourism Concern.