MOSCOW, October 6. /TASS/. Sierra Leone has the potential to become the "Hawaii of Africa" for Russian tourists, Mohamed Yongawo, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Russia, said in an interview with TASS on the sidelines of the 9th International Forum "North Caucasus: A Space for Dialogue, Traditions, and Development."

"We recently met with several Russian travel agencies in Kazan to put Sierra Leone on their radar. It is true that Sierra Leone is often dubbed the 'Hawaii of Africa' because we have pristine beaches--the likes of which probably cannot be found anywhere else in the world--with white sand, alongside very welcoming people. Therefore, if Russian tourists decide to visit Sierra Leone, I will do everything in my power to facilitate this," the ambassador noted. "The potential is definitely there."

The diplomat added that he is ramping up efforts to attract Russian travelers to his country.

"I have participated in panels at numerous Russian tourism forums, met with representatives from many local travel agencies, and done extensive promotional work," he said. "In December, a group of 12 Russian tourists from the 'Kilimanjaro' group visited us. I met with them, and they told me that out of several African countries they had previously visited, they liked Sierra Leone the most."