Tourism Development Minister Faizer Musthapha addressing the media at the recent World Travel Market (WTM) in London predicted a tourism boom in Sri Lanka by 2010 end and said that already there is a 30% increase in arrivals with the 30 year old internal conflict coming to an end.

He said that the confidence expressed on Sri Lanka as a safe and a secure destination by the tour operators from all round the globe and leading tourism industry personnel and policy makers who converged at the world’s second biggest travel fair in early November was a major boost for the country’s tourism.

The international media has already made inquiries about visiting the country and they have already shown an interest in featuring the multifarious tourist attractions in their publications he said.

The inquiries made about the country at this years WTM was overwhelming and this shows how much the other countries are keen about our tourism product he pointed out

Sri Lanka Tourism has organised Familiarisation Trips (FAM) for the media personnel interested in visiting the country Musthapha noted.

"Security is no longer an issue for the tourist visiting Sri Lanka and SLT has already launched an international campaign commencing in November with a media blitz capitalizing on the situation," the Minister said.

Musthapha who spearheaded a campaign to woo tourists to Sri Lanka in the difficult times when the traditional markets turned away from the country and succeeded in increasing the Middle East traffic to the island with an increase of over 20% in arrivals was of the opinion that the country’s tourism officials should continue to tap the middle Eastern, Eastern European markets.

The 2010 winter will see a surge in arrivals and the Tourism Industry is gearing themselves to meet the demand. He said.

With 2011 declared as "Visit Sri Lanka Year" an aggressive campaign promoting Sri Lanka as an Year Round destination has been launched and with the dawn of peace in the country, rapid development is taking place in the east coast he noted.

At least 5000 new hotel rooms will be built in the areas of Kuchchuveli, Nilaveli, Trincomalee,Paasekudah,Batticlao,Pottuvil and Arugam Bay to meet while the total number of hotel rooms required to meet the tourism boom will be around 35,000 he said.

Asked about the negative Travel Advisories on Sri Lanka by various countries,the Minister said there have been some Travel Warnings by certain countries where citizens of those countries are advised not to visit certain areas in Sri Lanka but most countries have lifted them.