Sri Lanka is hoping to increase its visitor numbers by 500% in the next seven years.

Bernard Goonetilleke, chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism, revealed the target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016 at WTM.

The end of the island's 26-year civil war earlier this year had already prompted an increase in visitor numbers, he said, adding: "In July arrivals were up 28% year on year, August 34.3% and September 28.4%.

"This is without any promotion at all; the end of the conflict has created this boost on its own."

The tourist board is looking to capitalise on the war-free country by investing a "significant amount" in promotion in 2010.

Goonetilleke said extensive joint marketing activity with UK operators would take place from January to March 2010 and general promotion would continue throughout the year in preparation for 2011 which the country has declared as the year of Sri Lanka.

To house the planned boom in visitors it is intended to add 36,000 rooms to the 40,000 already in place, including developing along Sri Lanka's east coast for the first time, which had been out of bounds for tourism for three decades.

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