Middle East crisis inflicts heavy losses on Nigerian travel agents — NANTA

The National Association of Travel Agents of Nigeria (NANTA) has raised the alarm over mounting losses in the travel sector, attributing the downturn to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to mark the association’s Annual General Meeting and golden jubilee celebration, NANTA President Yinka Folami disclosed that the Middle East accounts for an estimated 30 to 40 percent of Nigeria’s outbound passenger traffic, making it a vital corridor for local travel agents.

“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,” Folami said. “We don’t like it, our members don’t like it, and it is affecting our business in no small measure.”

He noted that beyond the sharp drop in passenger volumes, travel agents are also bearing the cost of full refunds, including commissions, which further deepens their financial strain.

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

Folami also outlined NANTA’s advocacy achievements, particularly its success in curbing cross‑border ticket sales, which he said once siphoned off up to 50 percent of Nigeria’s travel market. He credited direct engagement with airlines and the Ministry of Aviation for the recovery.

Additionally, he criticised some international carriers for selling tickets exclusively in dollars, calling the practice disrespectful to Nigeria’s sovereignty.

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