NANTA, institute collaborate to train travel agents

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.

Balogun said: “NANTA is about the only industry group that has come to us to seek collaboration on training and it shows that her leadership is futuristic in projection and planning. I am happy to associate with NANTA on this call and all her programmes of development.”