The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies has invested ₦742 million in marketing Nigeria as a premier tourism destination over the last three editions of the annual World Travel Market in London.
The immediate past president of the trade association, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday.
Akporiaye said the expenses covered costs for exhibition pavilions at the travel market, magazine publications, and members’ logistics to attend the trade show.
“In three years, NANTA has spent ₦742,226,100 to deliberately put Nigeria on the global tourism map at the WTM. This was achieved with only skeletal support in 2022 and 2023,” she said.
She explained that in 2022, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and Air Peace contributed by placing advertisements on the Nigerian banner and magazine at WTM.
“In 2023, Ibom Air came on board to support. That year, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort supported us with advert placement in our magazine, but Air Peace did not.
“For 2024, for the first time, we had good support in terms of co-exhibiting, not just adverts. Eko Hotels supported us with advert placement, while Ibom Air went beyond adverts to co-exhibit at WTM.
“Sabre Travel Network also supported us, so we had their graphics, as well as Ibom Air’s, displayed on our stand. Their contributions made our 2024 participation very grand,” she said.
Akporiaye highlighted that 90 per cent of the funds for WTM participation came from NANTA members, demonstrating their patriotism.
“This shows that we are true patriots, and we deserve national recognition for our efforts,” she said.
She noted that NANTA began attending WTM after Nigeria had been unrepresented at the event for a decade. The association made the decision to attend in response to its mandate to create new business opportunities for its members and promote Nigerian tourism.
“It’s been a wonderful and successful three years that NANTA has participated in WTM, filling the gap left by Nigeria’s absence for over 10 years.
“We are glad to have handed over the baton of Nigeria’s participation at WTM to the Nigerian government this year. As an association, we are happy that our labour and sacrifices were not in vain,” she said.
Akporiaye added that NANTA’s efforts at WTM have enabled the association to secure international affiliations with various tourism boards, organise product training, and raise awareness of new destinations.
“Our participation at WTM has helped members’ businesses grow significantly. We have formed partnerships with airlines and travel boards worldwide.
“Our greatest achievement at WTM is drawing Nigeria’s attention back to the need to exhibit at the global travel market,” she said.
Akporiaye further noted that NANTA’s involvement at WTM had inspired members to expand their businesses beyond Nigeria and explore opportunities in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events globally.
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