The sales indicate a high number of foreigners visiting the country.

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA, said on Thursday that N165.8 billion worth of air tickets were sold by travel agents in Nigeria in 2012.

The National President of the Association, Amin Agoha, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos. He added that the figure represented N20.2 billion increase over the NI45.6 billion sold in 2011.

“With this huge volume of business generated by the agencies, it is imperative that our activities are well regulated and controlled to ensure that members are confined within the law,” he said.

The association president said that the sales indicated a high number of foreigners visiting the country. He said that the association was maintaining a comprehensive data of all travel agencies in Nigeria, to ensure that their activities complied with strict rules and regulations.

Mr. Agoha added that 518 travel agents were now members of NANTA, with 34 airlines operating under the Billings and Settlement Plan, BSP, platform. He expressed regret that the BSP was not a complete success story as the rate of payment default by travel agencies was on the increase.

“As at today, a total number of 16 travel agents are in default, amounting to about N535.5 million. Though some of these defaults are technical in nature, some have fraudulent undertones. But as an association, this ugly and recurring incidence does not augur well for our credibility and professionalism,” Mr. Agoha said.

(NAN)