The South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Thamsanqa Dennis Mseleku, has urged the Nigerian government to make its tourism sector attractive and viable for economic growth.

Mseleku said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, tourism has become the centre for economic growth and development of any country, saying Nigeria needed to urgently develop its domestic tourism sector to boost its economy.

“In my own country, the Ministry of tourism is working to support the value chain in the tourism industry to develop skills.

“By ensuring that the tourism sector becomes total package in its promotion and marketing. It has been a long journey that has several years.

“Those in charge have beautifully harnessed the tourism industry by ensuring that people discover the new part of our beautiful country,” he said.

Mseleku described the recent move for collaboration by the Nigerian Association of Tour operators (NATOP), as a welcome development geared towards salvaging the industry.

He stressed that more emphasis should be on domestic tourism because of its significance.

“The tourist does not need to jump around by going everywhere, but one shot will give the tourist all the expectations.

” If NATOP continues this way, I think we are heading somewhere with such synergy,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to tour their own country, stressing that they are the first tourist ambassadors of their country.

Mseleku said that Nigerians, ”having to tour the different interesting sites within the country, could serve as brand ambassadors that would showcase the inner beauties to foreigners.

”As brand ambassadors, they will also exhibit the country’s capabilities and products”, he said.