The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) on Tuesday said it would be addressing antitrust policies to protect the Nigerian travel market.
Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, NANTA’s National President, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Lagos.
Akporiaye said the issue would be addressed during the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to hold in Kano from March 23 to 25.
She said the theme of the AGM will be ”Antitrust: Opportunities Available for Protection of the Nigerian Travel Market.”
According to her, the topic was quite important to the travel trade association because it is high time the association looked at areas to protect and keep its survival.
She said the antitrust provision will boost and protect local content, discourage monopolies, and encourage open access to premium content.
“We are committed to ensuring professionalism among travel agents, and there is a compelling need to eradicate touts to gain respect as true professionals.”
“We are trying to protect our industry’s local content therefore empowering our own,” she said.
Akporiaye noted that antitrust provision needed to be addressed due to a long history of imbalance in the relationships that exist in the aviation industry.
According to her, Nigerian travel agents were far behind in the exercise of their rights through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
She said part of the activities for the AGM was the mini Durbar ceremony which had been packaged to attract tourists from all walks of life.
She noted that this would hold at the Emir of Kano’s palace as it promised to be a colourful event.
Mr Yinka Folami, NANTA’s Vice President, Lagos Zone. said a responsible government should be able to ensure antitrust policies and laws are properly interpreted and executed.
Folami said this was necessary as it allowed for balance and guides against monopolies.
Also, Gbenga Onitilo, Head, Airline Services and Destination Management, Wakanow, said it had partnered with NANTA to host the AGM.
Onitilo harped on synergy to move the industry forward, as Wakanow had been leveraging alliances established over the years.
(NAN)
