By Chinelo Obogo
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has reported five travel agencies to the federal government for investigation into cross-border trading of airline tickets.
Speaking at NANTA’s 49th Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Wednesday, the National President, Yinka Folami, also revealed how Nigeria’s travel industry has lost 40 percent of its market to cross-border traders. He said these unauthorised practices occur when foreign-registered travel agents sell tickets originating from Nigeria while keeping the funds in another country or when local Nigerian agencies collaborate with foreign agents in this illegal activity.
“Cross-border sales is a sin and disrespectful to our economy. The government has asked us to present the names of the culprits. We have five names that have been mentioned. The country is investigating them for money laundering. We will stop it. We should also stop buying from them,” he said. The NANTA president noted that tickets sold through these cross-border channels are often cheaper, and the association is investigating how foreign agents obtain discounted tickets for the Nigerian market.
He emphasised the need for a robust constitution, self-regulation, and taking counsel from NANTA founders to address these challenges.
Highlighting NANTA’s achievements, Folami mentioned the association’s focus on professional conduct and knowledge, maintaining its point of sale, distributing wealth, and implementing self-regulation. “We made airlines confirm to us that they are principals to us, and so the airlines should not be seen to be in competition with us. The airlines are very responsive to us,” he explained.
The association has established various committees, including a constitution review committee and a training committee. At the AGM, NANTA also relaunched its ID cards and website and introduced a new mobile app.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, represented by Henry Agbebire, Director of Special Duty at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), delivered a goodwill message supporting this year’s theme: “Collective Prosperity Through Market Protection.” Keyamo reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to initiatives that protect legitimate market players, and enhance customer confidence.
In his keynote address, Kemi Pinheiro, Founding Partner of Pinheiro LP, said that maintaining high professional standards is essential in the travel and tourism industry, where trust is key. Pinheiro advised that a comprehensive constitution should establish clear ethical standards and disciplinary procedures to guide member conduct and strengthen industry confidence.