Travel agents, Tour Operators and dignitaries were welcomed on the 27th of March 2019 at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies(NANTA).
The event was held at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan with the theme “Developing Strategic Policy for the Development and Growth of the Travel and Tourism Industry in Nigeria”.
NANTA, the umbrella body of travel and tourism agents in Nigeria keeps creating awareness through the media of what NANTA stands for and its course to promote tourism in Nigeria. The national body comprising of travel agencies for the purpose of promoting their interests, serving as the mouthpiece for agencies, regulating their activities and maintaining discipline and professionalism within the industry.
The National President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agency (NANTA), Bankole Bernard during the general meeting commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the fight to reduce fake agencies in the business, adding that with the introduction of New Generation IATA Settlement System (NewGenISS), by the global body of travel agency, which gives flexibility in payment, has improved their efficiency.
According to him, “We have closely worked with the regulatory body NCAA to eliminate counterfeit travel agencies amongst our honourable members. This singular act has reduced the number of counterfeit travel agencies around but has not completely eliminated them.
In support of the 43rd Annual General Meeting, The South African Tourism team engaged the trade executives, sharing key information about the travel industry in South Africa and how travel agents can leverage tourism packages in South Africa.
Thekiso Rakolojane, the current Regional Manager of South African Tourism, West African office during his speech disclosed to attendees how the various opportunities in South Africa can be packaged ‘One of the key focus for us in the next year will be around, attracting more Nigerians to South Africa’ Rakolojane said.
South African Tourism team added colour to the event with colourful hostesses adorned in various traditional attires: Zulu, Xhosa & Ndabele who became the main photo attention coupled with a spectacular Zulu dance on stage and a taste of rich South African wines.
In what the participants described as highlights began with a well-rounded speech by Chief Segun Runsewe, which highlighted the duties of travel agents in streamlining developmental agenda of a sustainable tourism business, and also urged them to redirect their energy into creating a niche market through the tourism value chain business and
commended the tourism sector in South Africa and how tour operators can emulate from the counterparts.
The event was graced with tour operators and dignitaries such as Mrs. Oyetoun Adegbesan Deputy General Manager Economic Regulation and Facilitation who represented the DG of NCAA – Captain Muhtar Shaibu Usman who gave the keynote address, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe DG of NCAC, Hon. Joko Pelumi (Ex-Speaker Lagos House of Assembly), Gilbert Yank GM Amadeus, Folarin Coker DG NTDC, Dr. Olowo President Aviation Round Table, ACP Bode Ojajuni Area Commander Area a represented the Commissioner of Police Lagos and Comptroller of Immigration Alhassan who represented the Comptroller General of Immigration.
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Great work you’re doing! Do we also have associations like this in other African countries? It’s a huge help people involved in this do to keep the consumers safe and ensured. It’s also an excellent way to brainstorm on how customer service can be improved, so consumers in different parts of the world will be safe and secured when they visit African countries for a holiday, thus removing the stigma. Glad to read this post!