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China will dispatch the first group of 100 tourist guides to assist tourist development in Tibet, the People's Daily reports Tuesday.

They were chosen from 23 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Guangxi.

The guides are expected to leave for Tibet on April 15 in order to begin work in 23 Tibetan travel services on May 1, which marks the start of the peak tourist season.

The move was based on a recent decision by the China National Tourism Administration. Starting this year, the central government will select 100 tourist guides from various parts of the country to work in Tibet from April 15 to October 15 every year for the next 10 years.

Tibet is famous for its spectacular Himalayan scenery, its clear lakes, its customs and lifestyle, its ancient history and its splendid Buddhist culture. All these contribute to Tibet's splendor and mystery.

However, the region has only 582 tourist guides, very inadequate in terms of the region's growing tourist development. Aside from their work as tourist guides, the experienced guides from other parts of China will help train more local guides through lectures and through passing on their experiences.