CHUKS OKOH
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Yinka Folami says some disgruntled travel agencies in the country are sabotaging the efforts the association through cross border trading.
Folami, who disclosed this on the sideline of the NANTA 49th Annual General Meeting in Lagos noted that NANTA has lost 40 percent of its market to cross border traders.
According to him five travel agencies are currently under investigation by the federal government for the cross border trading on ticket sales.
According to him, “Cross border sales is a sin and disrespectful to our economy. 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”
Folami expressed displeasure over the ugly trend as these agents were destroying the travel business as they sold tickets cheaper, stressing that NANTA was investigating to know how the tickets were sold
Folami stressed the for understanding and unity in the association in order to build a robust constitution, engage in self regulation and heed to advice from NANTA founders on tacking the issue.
He enumerated some or the association’s achievements saying that NANTA has shown conduct, respect and knowledge and has ensured that its point of sale does not shift, it distributes wealth and engage in self regulation.