By Nnasom David

Finchglow Travels says it is supporting Nigerian travel agents through its Partner Plus Connect programme, an initiative aimed at improving access to industry knowledge, technology and operational support.

The Managing Director of Finchglow Travels, Mr Ezekiel Ikotun, said the programme, which began before the COVID-19 pandemic, was introduced to address challenges faced by many travel agents, including limited access to airline agreements, technology platforms and structured business support.

Ikotun explained that Finchglow operates as a travel consolidator and works with agents who are often excluded from key operational resources, particularly those who are not fully licensed or formally employed.

He said the company engages such agents through regular training and structured interactions.

He said Finchglow has also adopted measures to reduce the impact of dollar-denominated ticket sales on agents operating within Nigeria’s foreign exchange constraints.

According to him, the company leverages dollar inflows from corporate clients and negotiates dual-currency settlement arrangements with airlines, allowing agents to pay in naira while Finchglow manages dollar obligations.

Ikotun said the company holds monthly Partner Plus Connect forums, comprising two virtual sessions and one physical meeting. He disclosed that physical forums were held this year in Lagos and Port Harcourt, with another scheduled for December, adding that the company plans to expand to four physical events next year, including one in Kano.

He added that Finchglow provides weekly industry updates through newsletters, its website and direct email communication to registered partners.

On industry collaboration, Ikotun said the company works with the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) and maintains engagement with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other regional bodies on issues such as airfare pricing and taxation.

He identified key challenges facing travel agents as gaps in industry knowledge, limited access to finance, staff shortages linked to migration and weak business structures that limit growth.

Ikotun also clarified that yellow fever vaccination cards are not required for all international travel but are mandatory only for specific destinations, including Kenya and South Africa.

He said Finchglow assists travellers by providing guidance and verifying documentation where necessary.

Addressing concerns about the treatment of Nigerian passengers by some international airlines, he attributed the issue to policy instability and foreign exchange uncertainty rather than discrimination, noting that recent government interventions have led to improvements, including the return of naira-based ticket sales by most airlines.

Also speaking, Mr Bakare Abiola said Finchglow supports both IATA-accredited and non-IATA agencies by providing access to global distribution systems and Near Distribution Capability platforms, subject to compliance requirements.

Abiola said the travel industry is evolving rapidly and warned that agencies that fail to adapt to new distribution technologies may struggle to remain competitive.

He also urged the government to sustain reforms in the aviation sector and address multiple taxes on air tickets, noting that lower fares could encourage increased travel and support industry growth.

Finchglow said it plans to strengthen its role as a business-to-business travel consolidator over the next two years, with a focus on supporting sub-agencies and improving operational standards across Nigeria and West Africa.