Travel agents decry losses as Middle East crisis bites

The President of the National Association of Travel Agents of Nigeria, Yinka Folami, has raised concerns over the growing impact of the Israel-Iran conflict on the operations and revenues of travel agencies in Nigeria, warning that the crisis is already taking a heavy toll on the sector.

Speaking during a press conference held to usher in the association’s Annual General Meeting, which also coincides with the celebration of its golden jubilee, Folami painted a grim picture of how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, one of the busiest travel corridors for Nigerian passengers, are disrupting business and forcing agents to grapple with mounting losses.

He said, “This Israel-Iran war, we honestly don’t like it. Anytime there is this kind of disruption, we are the first to suffer it and suffer it really. That region is a major hub for Nigeria and takes 30–40 per cent of our traffic. We don’t like it, our members don’t like it, and it is affecting our business in no small measure.”

He explained that, beyond reduced passenger traffic, agents are also burdened with the financial implications of refunds, which often come at high cost to their businesses.

Folami lamented, “I, personally, know the number of refunds that I have had to do, and when this happens, we refund in full, including commissions. So we don’t want it, and we can only pray for peace.”

Away from the war, Folami further mentioned efforts by the association’s leadership to stabilise the industry through advocacy and engagement with key stakeholders. He noted that one of the major battles fought by the association was against cross-border ticket sales, which he described as a major drain on the Nigerian travel market.

He said, “What I have kept saying is that what our administration has done and the executive council has been elaborately reported, but in summary, we have been very strong in advocacy, and you guys have helped us. When we came in, we said we are going to sit on a three-legged tripod: protection of our market, protection of NANTA, and fair play.”

“I just spoke about cross-border trading, and you people have helped us. Cross-border trading is a sin, and it takes 50 per cent of our market, but today our market has regained its place. That was done not just by us, but our advocacy has forced the hands of industry stakeholders to make those corrections.”

He added that the association engaged airlines and government authorities directly to address the issue. “We started from the airlines with direct messages to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and these corrections were effected,” he said.

Folami also criticised the practice by some international airlines of selling tickets exclusively in foreign currency, describing it as disrespectful to Nigeria’s sovereignty and harmful to the local economy.

“When we talk about dollar sales, it is not convenient for me as the NANTA president to look at my colleagues and friends in the airlines and say no. That alone is major and substantial; it doesn’t have to be about projects.

“It is disrespectful that some airlines sell only in dollars in our country, a sovereign nation. Even if BASA allows it, what happens to us, to our naira? I strongly think it is disrespectful.”