LHASA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A chamber of tourism was established in Lhasa of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Sunday to help enhance the region's tourism industry.

Initiated by 30 private tourism companies, the association is expected to be a platform for local tourism companies to finance, cooperate and promote tourism services, as well as safeguard their rights, according to Nyima Tashi, head of the chamber.

"We will try to integrate tourism resources in Tibet, strengthen government-company communication and finance capital to steer local tourism development," Nyima said.

Boasting unique tourism resources and profound cultural influences, Tibet attracts a great number of domestic and foreign visitors annually, making tourism a pillar industry in the region.

Official statistics show that the region received a record 12.91 million tourists in 2013, a year-on-year increase of 22 percent.