KUALA LUMPUR ~ Malaysia’s tourism minister has said 2007 tourist arrivals will exceed expectations, and advised tour operators to “cool off” as the nation was running out of hotel rooms.

Malaysia launched a major campaign to attract visitors on the 50th year of its independence, but the marketing blitz appears to have been too successful.

Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said almost all hotel rooms were booked in and around the capital until October.