MAPUTO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi said Thursday that the government has been implementing reforms aimed at transforming the tourism sector and increasing its appeal to investors.

Nyusi made his remarks in the opening address at the three-day International Conference on Nature-Based Tourism, which was for the first time held in Maputo, bringing together officials and institution members from across the world.

Nyusi said the government has taken measures to improve the business environment and boost the value chain of tourism, including easier acquisition for visa, rehabilitation of the national reserves and better tourism services.

"The government is eliminating corrupt and bureaucratic practices that inhibit investments. We have freed the national air space for international flights, which allow them to fly from their countries straight to Mozambique," added the president.

According to the president, the tourism sector is growing and currently employing over 60,000 people, with a significant contribution to the country's GDP.

With 25 percent of its territory occupied by conservation areas, Mozambique considers tourism as one of its four strategic priorities. The other three are agriculture, energy and infrastructure.