Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), has been leading the body of over 3,500 members for more than a year. In an exclusive interview, he discussed leadership, professionalism, and key challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector, with a focus on cross-border trading and its impact on the domestic market.
✈️ Leadership and Professionalism in Travel Agencies
Managing NANTA, Folami explained, is a collective effort involving a 13-member council and advisory support from the BO team. This collaborative approach ensures that the association fairly represents all 3,500 members.
On professionalism in the travel agency sector, Folami emphasized that success requires expertise across operations, finance, and marketing. “You need to be a competent professional manager,” he said. “Running a travel agency is not just booking tickets; it’s about mastering over 30 international airlines, understanding their rules, and continuously upgrading your skills.”
Folami also highlighted that many young professionals in NANTA are university graduates, debunking the myth that the travel industry requires minimal expertise. To enhance professionalism further, NANTA plans to establish a training institute in partnership with government and international organizations.
🌍 Shifting Travel Patterns and Visa Policies
Folami addressed the impact of U.S. visa restrictions on Nigerian travelers, noting that policy changes can influence travel patterns. He encouraged Nigerian travelers to explore destinations where they are welcomed, particularly within Africa. “Africa is beginning to open up for Africa,” he said, citing smoother travel experiences in countries like Kenya.
This trend, he explained, is fostering regional travel, which could boost investment and connectivity across the continent.
⚠️ Cross-Border Trading: A Threat to the Nigerian Market
The biggest concern for Folami and NANTA is cross-border trading in airline tickets. He described it as “a sin against the Nigerian market.”
“An agency sits in Nigeria, but another agency in Asia or another country sells tickets to Nigerians at cheaper rates, undercutting local agencies. This suppresses our market and devalues our industry,” he said.
Cross-border trading, Folami explained, affects the entire aviation ecosystem:
- Local travel agencies lose revenue, leading to shop closures and unemployment.
- GDS companies operating locally see reduced numbers, which can result in layoffs.
- Airlines experience distorted sales statistics.
The issue also impacts consumers. While lower fares may seem attractive, tickets purchased from foreign agencies often come with restrictions, making changes or cancellations difficult and sometimes costly.
To address this, some airlines have adopted a Point of Commencement (POC) pricing policy, prioritizing fares from the customer’s departure point to prevent market suppression.
🌐 Regional Collaboration and Ethical Practices
NANTA is actively collaborating with other African travel associations to tackle cross-border trading. Folami revealed that several countries, including Zimbabwe, face similar challenges, with foreign agencies dominating their local markets. Some unethical players are currently under investigation for tax evasion and fraud, and licenses have been suspended in some regions.
“The world is a global village, but you must practice ethically within each market,” Folami stressed.
He commended the Nigerian government for responsiveness, noting that the Minister of Aviation has shown commitment to listening and implementing solutions that protect the local market.
✅ Conclusion
Yinka Folami’s message is clear: protecting Nigeria’s aviation market requires ethical practices, professional management, and government collaboration. Cross-border trading not only harms local agencies but also threatens employment and the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation statistics.
By prioritizing professionalism and regional cooperation, NANTA aims to ensure that Nigeria remains a thriving hub in Africa’s travel and aviation industry.
