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Tourism officials in Malaysia are confident that the country will see huge increases in visitor numbers throughout 2007.

The optimism is the result of a concerted effort from industry figures to promote the country as a tourist destination during what will be Visit Malaysia Year.

Celebrations begin on 1 January 2007 and events have been planned for every month until 31 December, reports the Star Online.

Malaysia has already witnessed revenue generated from tourism increase drastically in the past 15 years, with the industry estimated to take RM35 billion (£5 billion) this year. That signals a vast improvement on the RM5 billion (£0.7 billion) generated back in 1990.

In addition, visitor numbers have grown at an impressive rate, with just 3m people taking a holiday in the country in 1983, compared to 16m in 2005.

Visit Malaysia Year coincides with the country's celebrations of 50 years of independence and tourism authorities have set themselves lofty targets for the year ahead.

The government has revealed that it expects 20m tourists to visit the country, generating in the region of RM45 billion (£6.5 billion).

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