Nigeria is set to adopt a comprehensive master plan for tourism development by December 2005, state media reported Friday.

The fifth meeting of the Presidential Council on Tourism, held in the southern city of Calabar, said Friday in a statement that Nigeria had the basic infrastructure for such a master plan, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

It cited standard tourist facilities and services, describing these as prerequisites to make the country occupy its rightful position in the tourism arena.

The meeting stressed the need to classify and grade all hotels in Nigeria, giving the Nigerian Tourism Development Commission up to December 2005 to complete that assignment.

It was also resolved that "the concept of one-village-one-tourism-product be encouraged, as a catalyst for wealth creation and economic empowerment."

"Nigeria is endowed with rich cultural resources and the carnival can tap from well over 450 ethnic groups," the statement stated.

Meanwhile, the meeting resolved "to fully involve the private sector in the development of tourism in Nigeria, by removing constraints on private investors," it added.

Source: Xinhua