NANTA AGM to focus on tourism in recessed economy

Preparations for the 41st non elective Annual General Meeting (AGM)of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced with high powered plan by the executive to make the event a landmark platform for positioning and setting agenda that will address the current problems rocking the aviation, tourism and travel industry in Nigeria.

NANTA president, Mr Bankole Bernard, who made this know in a press briefing in Lagos, together with the AGM committee said the event which will hold at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos on March 21, 2017, will display eminent industry gurus from the public and private sector.

“According to Bernard, “the AGM which will be looking into Tourism in a recessed economy: The way forward is aimed at orientating all and sundry on exploring tourism as a low hanging fruits a this time we are struggling to come out of recession.

He said the AGM has become imperative because NANTA has become a relevant voice in the aviation industry.

Bernard observed that the closure of Abuja airport is an opportunity in disguise for his members to look into the untapped tourism potential within the zone.

He stated that NANTA has achieved a lot of visibility in his one year as the president of the body including professionalism for the members who are no longer seen as touts, but as professionals.

On the issue of most of the foreign airlines not going to Kaduna because of the closure of Abuja airport, he said some of the airlines may have a rethink when Abuja airport is finally closed.

In her speech, the 1st Deputy President of NANTA and Chairperson of the AGM organising committee, Mrs Susan Akporiaye disclosed that the occasion will be graced by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Information and Culture minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, the director general of the Nigerian Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, NIHOTOUR, Chika Balogun and the Ag Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Mrs Mariel Rae Omoh among other dignitaries.

Akporiaye added that the keynote speakers for AGM are the former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren, who will be speaking on the government aspect of aviation and how things are run, while the Chief Executive Officer of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, will anchor the private sector angle as a practical player and owner of Med-View Airline.