The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) on Friday said there had been a 15 per
cent to 20 per cent decline in international travels
since the outbreak of coronavirus. Its National President, Bankole Bernard, disclosed
this during a news briefing on the forthcoming
44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the
association slated to hold in Kano from March 25 to March 28. The NANTA president, however, said there was no
cause for panic as the decline had not affected local
travels and travel business in the country. “We have experienced about 15 per cent to 20 per
cent decline in international travels since the
outbreak of coronavirus but the local flight is not
affected,” he said. The travel agents also noted that many Nigerians
who were fond of going to China for business had diverted to Turkey to get their wares.
He commended Aliko Dangote Foundation for donating N200 million to the Federal Government
to help address the impact and prevention of the
viral outbreak. He said there were plans to launch an awareness
programme on coronavirus to be driven by WHO
and Nigerian Centre for Disease Control during the
forthcoming NANTA’s 44th AGM. He said this was to dispense information critical to
managing the situation. “NANTA supports the very systematic approach of
the health organisations and the aviation agencies
at the airport in respect to coronavirus and other
health related matters ravaging the world. “We also commend the airlines for standing strong
at a period like this despite operational challenges
to address and halt the spread. “NANTA is planning to set up a special call line to
help those who want to reach out to us on the
issue as it affects their travel to high-risk countries,”
he said.