Abiola Bakare, business-to-business manager, Finchglow, has disclosed that the removal of visa constraints by African countries has continued to lure Nigerians to African destinations.
According to Bakare, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant shift in Nigerians’ travel preferences, as African countries began to open their borders, Nigerians started appreciating their own continent and exploring destinations within Africa.
Speaking during Finchglow’s PartnerPlus Connect 13.0 Live event in Protea Hotel, Lagos, he said, “We were previously more inclined towards Western countries, but the pandemic made us realise the importance of exploring our own continent,” Bakare said.
“African countries were the first to open their borders, and we started appreciating what we have. We have now started looking at African countries as viable options for travel and tourism.”
Bakare attributed this shift to the increasing appreciation of African culture and heritage, as well as the ease of travel within the continent. “We need to travel within Africa to sustain passenger traffic,” she emphasised. “We need to understand our locality before we can understand another man’s locality.”
Read also: Visa-free access for Africans – A leap towards Nigeria’s leadership in Africa
This newfound interest in African travel has also led to increased domestic travel, with Nigerians exploring their own country’s tourism offerings, including the 10 national parks, he said.
As a travel professional, Bakare shared Finchglow’s experience in promoting domestic tourism. “We ensure that at least every quarter, we experience one of Nigeria’s national parks, so we can effectively sell it to our clients,” she said. “For you to promote tourism effectively, you need to experience the product. If you’ve not experienced the product, there’s no way you can sell it.”
However, Bakare noted that the Nigerian aviation industry is still recovering from the impact of COVID-19.
“The economic reality is that many Nigerians can no longer afford to travel to Western countries like the UK, where the cost of studying or living is prohibitively expensive,” Bakare said. “We’re seeing a shift towards African destinations, where the cost of travel is more affordable.
“In response to these challenges, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has implemented programs to support travel agents. The Go Light and Go Standard programs have helped agents mitigate risk and increase business sustainability. According to Bakare, the number of IATA-accredited agencies has actually increased since the pandemic, with 1,144 agencies currently operating in Nigeria.
“The Go Light program has been particularly beneficial, as it allows agents to operate on a cash-and-carry basis, reducing the risk of default,” Bakare said. “This has helped many agents stay afloat during these challenging times.”
Read also: Ghana opens up visa-free travel to all Africans
Regarding foreign airlines’ operations in Nigeria, Bakare questioned their financial justification. He cited examples of airlines that prioritise PR and promoting access to their countries, rather than making a profit from their operations.
“A lot of airlines are operating for PR purposes,” he said. “They make more from downstream services like catering, hotels, and logistics than from the airline itself.”
Bakare highlighted the success of Ethiopian Airlines as a model for sustainable aviation growth. The airline’s diversified revenue streams, including a university, a hotel, and maintenance services, have enabled it to thrive in the competitive aviation industry.
“Ethiopian Airlines is a prime example of how airlines can diversify their revenue streams and achieve sustainability,” Bakare said. “They’ve been able to weather the storms of the pandemic and come out stronger.”
In conclusion, the removal of visa constraints by African countries has opened up new opportunities for Nigerian travellers. As the aviation industry continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19, stakeholders have been called to work together to promote sustainable growth and development.
