COVID-19: Nigeria’s Customer Base In International Travels Decline By 20percent

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

Following the COVID-19 disease that emerged late last year in China killing over 3,300 people across the globe, Nigeria’s customer base in international travel has suffered 20 percent decline since the outbreak of the virus.

Speaking to newsmen Today in Lagos, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard stated that the disease has not affected the local flights.

According to Bernard, travel agencies have been selling but not as much as they were.

However, Nigeria’s case has not been a total halt as seen in other part of the world.

“Yes there have been a decline in international travel there’s no doubt about that because the Nigerian travel industry continues to grow, just like when Trump said Nigerians can not come to the U.S we were hoping that Nigerians will stop rather we observed that they engaged in other destinations, we are people that have nine lives.”

“About 15 to 20 percent decline, the passenger load factor has gone down now but events are still going on in Nigeria,” he said.

He commended airlines for standing strong at a period like this despite operational challenges initiative to address and halt the spread.

On its sensitization awareness, he said “the vaccine card has been in the Nigeria’s system for a long time now but we have paid little or no attention to it as a matter of fact if not for some country that has made it mandatory it has almost been an optional thing but it has been made mandatory, now we are advising passengers to ensure you get your yellow fever card so that you will get the right vaccine shot that is one level of awareness that we are creating and equally we are making them understand some certain things which the federal government through the health ministry has enlighten us wash ur hands, use sensitizers and so on.”

“As professionals, we have adviced our members to consider the safety and health of any intending passenger in all travel solution they proffer and share information to all inten passengers in order to guide them where necessary.”

“We are looking to set up a special all line to help those who want to reach out to nanta on the issue as it affects their travel to high risk countries.”