Second Deputy President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA),
Kabir Maiwada (left); National Publicity Secretary, Olumuyiwa Salami;
National President, Bankole Bernard; National treasurer, Zackary
Abdulllahie; First Deputy President, Susan Akporiaye and Vice-president
North, Aliyu Abdullhahi at the NANTA press briefing held in Lagos recently
To raise capacity of travel agents in the country, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA),
has struck a partnership agreement with the National Institute for
Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), on the training of travel agents
nationwide.
The partnership, which was agreed during the visit of NANTA officials to NIHOTOUR, is to raise capacity and professionalism in the air travel services.
President of NANTA,
Bankole Bernard, said his team had resolved to ensure a sustainable
training and retraining programme for travel agents throughout his
tenure.
Bernard regretted that the free entry regime and lack of necessary legislative backing to track professionalism in the travel sector had contributed largely to the seeming lack of respect for travel agents in the country.
He, however, said time had come for regular training and retraining
for travel agents so as to change their work ethics and spread
prosperity across the board.
In his words: “We are tired of being seen and addressed as travel
agents, particularly in the most derogatory manner. Hence, as well
trained professionals, we need to be seen in our output and service to
the travelling public and government as travel consultants.
“We are here to seek your help to train and retrain our members
without which we are doomed and cannot spread expected prosperity across
the board,” he said.
Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Chika Balogun, in her response,
described the move as progressive and exemplary, assuring that her
organisation would give NANTA all necessary support.
