The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) is getting ready to tackle major issues facing the aviation and travel industry in Nigeria. This time, the focus is on problems troubling the downstream part of the aviation sector, especially matters affecting travel agents and the wider travel trade.
NANTA will be discussing these problems today (Wednesday) during the United Federation of Travel Agents’ Associations (UFTAA) Annual General Meeting. The meeting is taking place in Lagos and will bring together travel professionals from across the world, including top players from Africa.
According to a statement from the media consultant working with NANTA, the group is preparing to talk about the strange and persistent challenges that have continued to disturb the travel market in Nigeria. Some of these issues have caused serious concerns for travel agents who are struggling to survive in a very tough and unpredictable environment.
The media consultant also mentioned that the event will focus on how to build stronger protection for the market. The goal is to create a more stable and secure travel business where agents can operate freely and profitably. NANTA believes that if the market is well protected, travel agents will not only survive but also do well financially.
One of the major themes of the AGM is ‘Collective Prosperity Through Market Protection’. This shows that the meeting is not just about pointing fingers at the problems. Instead, the group is looking for solutions that will bring benefits to everyone in the industry.
This is not the first time NANTA is standing up to speak for the Nigerian travel community. Just recently, the group made headlines when it announced plans to meet with Emirates Airlines to discuss the issue of dollar-based airfare pricing. That situation had caused a lot of worry among Nigerian travellers and agents, especially due to the high cost of flight tickets and the difficulty in accessing forex.
At today’s meeting, many top speakers are expected to share their thoughts. Among them is Mr. Sunil Kumar, the President of UFTAA. He is known around the world for pushing for fairness in the global travel industry. Also speaking is Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, a respected lawyer, and Dr. Joseph Kithitu, the President of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents. Their presence is expected to add value to the discussions and offer insights from other African countries facing similar issues.
NANTA’s involvement in this global meeting also shows that Nigerian travel agents are not alone in their struggles. By being part of UFTAA, they now have access to a bigger platform where their voices can be heard and their challenges properly addressed.
The agents say they are hopeful that this meeting will bring new ideas and open up opportunities for growth. They are also hoping to attract better support from international partners who understand the challenges in Nigeria and can help bring positive change.
As travel continues to play an important role in business, tourism, and personal connections, NANTA says it will not stop fighting for a fair and healthy travel environment for its members and the Nigerian public.
