The project to build 50,000 more new hotel rooms to accommodate 2.5 million tourists expected in 2016 is now nearing completion, states the Ministry of Economic Development.

By 2016 tourist arrivals are expected to generate an annual income of nearly three billion dollars and create 500,000 jobs through the developing tourism industry including the construction of 50,000 of new hotel rooms.

Sri Lanka welcomed the 950,000th visitor on December 18, 2012 accomplishing the annual target for 2012. One million tourist arrivals in 2012 are estimated to bring revenues exceeding one US$ billion, up from last year's record income of $830.3 million earned from 855,975 arrivals.

Tourist arrivals in the country increased sharply since May 2009 after the restoration of peace.