The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has invested N724 million in marketing Nigeria as a choice tourism destination in the last three editions of the annual World Travel Market in London.

Susan Akporiaye, former NANTA president, disclosed this in Lagos on Thursday.

Ms Akporiaye said the expenses covered the costs for the exhibition pavilions at the travel market, magazines, and members’ logistics for attending the trade show.

“In three years, NANTA has spent N724,226,100 to deliberately put Nigeria on the global tourism map at the WTM. This is with just skeletal support in 2022 and 2023. 

“In 2022, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and Air Peace rendered support by placing an advert in the Nigerian Banner and magazine at WTM,” said Ms Akporiaye.

She added, “In 2023, Ibom Air came on board to support. That year, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort supported us with advert placement on our magazine, but Air Peace didn’t. 

“For 2024, for the first time, we had good support in terms of co-exhibiting, and not only on adverts. We had Eko Hotels support us with advert placement while Ibom Air went beyond adverts to being co-exhibitors at the WTM.

“Same for Sabre Travel Network. So, we had Sabre and Ibom Air graphics on our stand because they supported us and we are grateful for that. They made the 2024 participation very grand.”

Ms Akporiaye noted that NANTA started attending WTM when it was noticed that Nigeria was no longer represented for 10 consecutive years. 

She said the association also decided to attend the annual travel market in response to its mandate of creating new business opportunities for the members to grow their businesses.

(NAN)