Ogun State Sets to Partner with NANTA

Ogun state government has disclosed its readiness to partner with the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA). This was made known on Wednesday 24 July 2024, by the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, during a courtesy visit by the representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Ogun state chapter at the the state secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to the Commissioner, the state government is ready and will be happy to work with any group or organisation prepared to assist the sector's initiatives and aims at the Ministry's development. He added that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in particular will be glad to synergize with NANTA to promote tourism and fight against unregistered agencies in the state.

The Commissioner said that the current administration, headed by Prince Dapo Abiodun, had established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investors in support of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). He also mentioned that the ministry would soon introduce an online platform in the tourism sector for business registration of stakeholders, which will give travellers from all over the world the chance to access tourist destinations ahead of time, hotels they would like to stay in while on adventures, and more.

Dr Yusuff Quudus, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, also responded to the association's concerns about the unregistered travel agencies. He noted that the tourism industry has been impacted by the actions of scammers who pose as travel agencies and emphasizes the need to stop them by conducting efficient education and sensitization campaigns. He said that the ministry will endeavour to compile a list of authorized travel companies that the public and tourists can transact with.

Mr. Adewale Dada, the NANTA State Coordinator for the Ogun State Chapter, praised the ministry for its unwavering support and dedication to advancing the state's tourism industry. He also mentioned that the ministry's plan to collaborate with private organizations would aid in the fight against the widespread of fake travel agencies.