A 45-member delegation from the Chinese University of  Hong Kong has begun a tour of  the country’s tourist spots. 

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), told journalists on Friday in Lagos that the tour  was part of  efforts to make the country a tourism destination.

He said the delegation, made up of 40 students and five professors, would visit major tourism and cultural spots  in Lagos and some states.

The tourists, he said, would be in the country for two weeks, noting that “ this is a testimony of  marketing the nation’s tourism potentials at the international scene.

“NTDC will open more doors of opportunity that would enhance influx of tourists for economic development.

“The turn-out of  tourists in certain destinations and the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) pronouncement that Africa is now prime tourism destination  prompted NTDC to maximise the opportunities from such arrivals and receipts.

“ The visit will give the tourists first hand information about the nation’s tourism potentials and Nigerians hospitality.

“ I strongly believe that selling  this country must not be through propaganda, but through efforts to make those visiting feel the people and experience our hospitality,’’ he said.

Prof. Lawal Marafa, a Nigerian lecturer at the Chinese university, said the visit would enhance cultural interaction and broaden both countries’ relationship in tourism.

Ms Jiang Xu, Head of the Chinese delegation, described Nigerians as energetic and hospitable people.

She said the delegation was in the country to have basic knowledge about the country’s tourism potentials.

Mr Calvin Chung, another tourist, promised to be Nigeria’s  ambassador in marketing her tourism potentials, saying the delegation would return home and tell the success story of the visit.