A global body regulating major aviation operations, International Air Transport Association (IATA), has agreed to review and sustain guidelines that will enhance and promote the growth of travel trade business in Nigeria.
IATA also at a recent strategic meeting with the Executive of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) led by its National President Mr. Bankole Bernard, promised to review the interest rates charged against defaulting travels agents who delayed remittal of funds to IATA and a faster updating of exchange rate on its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) link to help discourage speculation and confusion among travel agents.
While receiving the NANTA’s delegates in Amman Jordan, Regional Director IDFS for Africa and Middle East at IATA, Mr. Dusan Kostic, also assured that the global aviation regulatory body will henceforth play more proactive role in the training and re-training of NANTA members, adding that IATA would back a possible presence of a second Industry Distribution and Financial Services (IDFS) Provider in Nigeria.
Kostic who appreciated the visit of travel agents leadership to its Amman facility, used the opportunity to introduce the IATA Settlement Systems Gen (ISS) Program, a global management process for travel agents meant to ease compliance with local trade laws.
Earlier in his presentation, NANTA President, Bankole Bernard commended IATA for its progressive oversight of aviation business in Nigeria, but however called for more pragmatic approach to issues concerning Nigeria travel agents who are key players in the downstream sector of the industry, particularly with challenges posed by the Nigerian economy in recession.
Bankole assured that the association will deepen the relationship with the Africa and Middle East region of IATA through strategic interface and visits whenever the need arises in future.
It should be noted that the recent visit to reposition NANTA and travel trade business in Nigeria, is the first by any of its leadership since it was founded.
