Will have visted

The number of tourists travelling to Tibet has hit a record high, Chinese state media has reported.
Just over four million tourists will have visited Tibet in 2007, an official said, an increase of 64% year on year.

The official put the increase down to better marketing and improved transport links, including the controversial high-speed rail service to China.

Critics say China is using the link to increase control over Tibet and further erode its traditional culture.

Local Communist Party secretary Zhang Qingli said that Tibet was entering a "golden era" of tourism.


Revenue from tourism was expected to hit 4.8bn yuan ($650m, £322m) in 2007, up 73.3% on the previous year, he said.

Both the rail link and a new airport had contributed to the rise, he said.

'Deep concern'

In the past, Lhasa could be reached only by plane or after a long, arduous road journey.

Since the rail link opened 17 months ago, Chinese tourism and trade to Tibet has surged. But the new train service is a source of concern to many Tibetans.

They argue that it has facilitated an influx of Chinese settlers, who are increasingly dominating business and making Tibetans a minority in some towns and regions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the necessity of writing the future perfect tense in the second sentence of the above?

For me the Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific time in the future.
Now the year 2007 is over. Only a few days left. The following is the correct sentence here.
Just over four million tourists have visited Tibet in 2007, an official said, an increase of 64% year on year.

Your thoughts are welcome.