All train passengers departing for Tibet between now and September will need to undergo tighter security measures and an identification check as the autonomous region gears up for its 50th anniversary.

Staff at ticket offices have been asked to carefully verify the identities of people buying tickets to Tibet, and to pay particular attention to anyone buying more than one, said railway police officer Zhang Bo.

Tourists should expect a tighter security check at the railway station, but shouldn’t be delayed for long.

Police say the goal is to crack down on ticket scalpers, adding they will deploy extra police to patrol railway stations in an effort to identify and apprehend scalpers.

All tourists and foreigners planning on visiting Tibet are required to apply for an entry permit from the Tibetan Tourism Bureau, available at any licensed travel agency.

The report does not say if railway passengers for other destinations will need to undergo similar security procedures, or if ticket scalping is as problematic for destinations other than Tibet.