A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, has called for constitutional reforms and stronger regulatory compliance within the travel sector as the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies marked its 50th Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Ibadan.
Delivering a goodwill message at the golden jubilee event on Thursday, Pinheiro described the milestone as not just a celebration of longevity but a testament to resilience, institutional growth, and the evolving relevance of travel agencies in Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the conference theme, “Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Travel Ambassadors,” reflects a shift in the role of travel professionals from mere intermediaries to strategic players in global tourism and mobility.
Pinheiro highlighted NANTA’s contributions over the past five decades, particularly in formalizing and standardizing travel agency practice in Nigeria. He said the association has also functioned as a quasi-regulatory body, promoting ethical standards and best practices in the industry.
According to him, increasing regulatory oversight by agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and Nigerian Tourism Development Authority has made compliance, transparency, and operational discipline more critical for travel agencies.
He further stressed that digital transformation has introduced complex legal challenges, including consumer protection, data privacy, electronic transactions, and cross-border payments, urging travel professionals to align with the Nigerian Data Protection Act and other regulatory frameworks.
On emerging technologies, Pinheiro cautioned against the unchecked replacement of human expertise with Artificial Intelligence, advocating instead for its use as a complementary tool. He referenced global bodies such as the World Travel & Tourism Council and the International Air Transport Association, which promote AI as a means to enhance efficiency while preserving professional judgment and accountability.
The senior lawyer also underscored the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural heritage, noting that tourism promotion must be aligned with intellectual property laws to ensure authenticity and proper commercialization of indigenous assets.
Describing Ibadan as a fitting host city, he said its rich historical and cultural heritage provides an ideal backdrop for discussions on repositioning Nigeria in the global tourism ecosystem.
Pinheiro urged NANTA members to adopt a more strategic approach to
2026-04-16