* L -R :First National Deputy President of NANTA), Mrs Susan Akporiaye, National President NANTA, Bernard Bankole, Managing Director of DEES Travels and Tours Ltd, Daisi Olotu and Vice President, Lagos, Yinka Folarin at the media briefing today. Pix source: AbelNews
… As Association Holds Elective AGM March 25-27 In Kano
… IATA’s Dusan Kostic, UFTAA’s Sunil Kumar , ART’s Gbenga Olowo, Others To Speak At Event
The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agency (NANTA), Bernard Bankole has said that he and his team took the association from near death to give it vision and aspiration, thereby restoring dignity to travel professionals.
He said this today while briefing select journalists on the preparation for the NANTA Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to hold in Kano from March 25—27, 2020.
Some of the officials of NANTA who were at the media briefing are the, the First National Deputy President of NANTA), Mrs Susan Akporiaye, Vice President, Lagos, Yinka Folarin and Managing Director of DEES Travels and Tours Ltd, Daisi Olotu.
He stated that the team worked tirelessly to showcase NANTA as the apex and very progressive private sector of the travel and tourism institution, a feat, he said unequaled in many ways.
“As president and team leader, we roused NANTA from near death and gave it vision and aspiration that has restored the dignity and future for travel trade professionals and to the glory of God kept the entire tourism and travel sector in focus,” he said.
He stated that NANTA AGM had always revolves round government but that this year’s elective edition which is the 44th would revolves round professionals
The NANTA boss stated that he and his team sought and created partnership across board from its principals; airlines, trade facilitators, the GDS state and the Federal Governments and certain relevant agencies that helped add to its desire to remain relevant and innovative.
NANTA, he stated went continental and global thereby bringing Nigeria into focus and recognition by global industry influencers.
According to him, “From Kenya, South Africa, Ghana to Spain ,Germany ,Turkey and other parts of Europe ,NANTA under my watch carefully re-engineered the fertilization of global relationships, which today has made Nigeria a destination to watch out for.”
The President added that NANTA members are no longer seen as ‘fly –by night operators’ but serious professional contributors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and growth of the national economy.
He opined that it was based on this fact that NANTA reached out to certain prominent industry activists and influencers to critically look into the subject, “National Carrier: A Remedy to Tourism and Economic Development” which according to him forms the theme of the association’s 44th elective AGM.
Bernard said that at this year’s AGM, NANTA would also be looking at the, “Role of Aviation Industry in Nigeria’s Economic Development and the Impact of Technology on Our Business and the Emerging Tourism Sector”
He contended that travel agencies as drivers of the downstream sector of the aviation industry and critical facilitators of tourism end post, would be looking at how tax policies affects its intervention and presence with a view to birthing new narrative on NANTA’s pioneering engagements and its ability to generate visible employment profile, given a workable tax regime with human face.
On why the AGM was taken to Kano, the National President said it was done to help the ancient city exhibit its tourism potential not only to Nigeria but also to the whole world.
To buttress his point, Bernard pointed out that the reason why the 44 elective AGM would be held in Kano was the same reason why the 43rd edition was held in Port Harcourt.
Some of the events lined up during the AGM are: a visit to the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, visit to the Emir of Kano’s palace and the organising of a mini Durbar.
Those expected to speak at NANTA’s 44th elective AGM includes: President, IATA Director Global Distribution, Dusan Kostic, President, Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA), Sunil Kumar, Chairman, Kenya Association of Travel Agents, Mohammed Wanyolke, President , Aviation Round Table(ART), Dr. Gbenga Olowo among others.
