NANTA, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, has expressed disapproval of cross-border trade, calling it a cruel practice that should not be permitted to thrive.
When foreign travel brokers engage in uncontrolled travel commerce within a nation’s travel market, this is known as cross-border trading.
Five offshore travel brokers have been charged with cross-border trade, and the Federal Government also intends to charge them with money laundering, according to NANTA President Mr. Yinka Afolami.
Afolami gave a speech during the organization’s annual general meeting, which was held in Lagos and had as its theme “Collective Prosperity Through Market Protection.”
“We have been asked by the government to strategically stop the trade crime,” he stated. Our members ought to cease interacting with them. We have to control ourselves. We need a strong constitution.
Cross-border trading occurs when a foreign-registered travel agency sells tickets from Nigeria and the money received from the transaction is based in another nation, according to Afolami, who issued a warning against it.
“When local travel agencies in Nigeria conspire with foreign agents to engage in the unlawful act, it is another form of cross-border trade,” he said.
He bemoaned that more than 40 per cent of the travel industry was lost, saying it threatens jobs and growth of the sector.
Cross-border sales are disrespectful to our economy and an immorality, according to Afolami. The government has requested that we provide the names of the offenders. Five of our names have been brought up. They are being looked at by the nation for money laundering. We’ll put an end to it. We ought to cease purchasing from them as well.
NANTA was looking into how agents from other nations obtained inexpensive tickets for the Nigerian market, he added, adding that tickets supplied by cross-border dealers were frequently less expensive.
On the organisation’s successes, Folami said NANTA has exhibited conduct, respect and knowledge and has ensured that its point of sale does not relocate, just as it distributes wealth and self-regulates.
Source:Vanguard
