11 January 2006 Andaman Islands reveal tsunami recovery
Further evidence that the regions destroyed by 2004's Boxing Day tsunami are recovering has been highlighted by tourism growth to the Andaman Islands.
In the early 1990s the islands received roughly 10,000 tourists a year; a figure which grew tenfold by 2000.
After the tsunami, figures dropped dramatically to just 500 visitors on average per month.
However, the BBC reports, since September last year tourist numbers have been steadily increasing and are almost back to pre-tsunami levels.
Hotels on the islands are fully booked for the next two months with requests from Indians as well as foreign tourists from further afield.
"Hundreds of businesspeople and professionals, even middle class Indians, are rushing to the Andamans for a holiday with a difference," local tourism official Rana Mathew told the BBC.
"The curiosity generated by the tsunami is getting the better of the fear."
New resorts are also being built on the islands, including one by Sri Lanka's top hospitality chain, which is hoped to encourage high-value niche tourists to visit the region. 
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