The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has officially committed to a strategic partnership aimed at supporting Ibom Air’s growth initiatives. This announcement came from NANTA’s National President, Mr. Yinka Folami, during the association’s Eastern Zone meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event, themed “Tourism: A Driver for Peace and Wealth Creation,” highlighted the importance of collaboration in the travel sector. Folami expressed excitement about working with Ibom Air, stating, “You (Ibom Air) said you will aggressively court NANTA, and we will be just as aggressive in welcoming you. We look forward to that partnership, and we will support you.”

During the meeting, Folami praised the Eastern Zone members for their dedication and teamwork, saying, “I always like to celebrate and acknowledge you. The Eastern Zone is very dear to my heart, and I want you to continue harnessing your strengths and diversity.”

Mr. George Uriesi, Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, shared ambitious plans to expand the airline’s fleet to 20 aircraft by 2028, underscoring a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. “In the five-plus years we’ve operated, we’ve had no serious aviation incidents due to our focus on safety and compliance, which has been key to our success,” Uriesi remarked. He further elaborated on the airline’s vision, stating, “Ibom Air is not venturing outside Africa; we plan to cover the entire continent. Our goal is to grow our fleet and connect Africa from Uyo, starting with the new airport terminal, which we aim to open in December.”

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Uriesi emphasized the importance of collaborating with NANTA for effective marketing, saying, “We will rely on NANTA members to market us as we expand. Let’s work together for mutual growth and success.”

Adding to the discussions, Mrs. Josephine Mbela, Assistant Deputy Director (Domestic & Africa) of the Kenya Tourism Board, spoke about Kenya’s efforts to enhance its tourism presence in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. She revealed plans to increase Nigerian tourist numbers from 32,000 last year to 50,000 this financial year through partnerships with NANTA and other stakeholders. The three-day event, sponsored by the Kenya Tourism Board and hosted by Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, gathered travel professionals from Nigeria’s South-South and Southeast regions, alongside members of NANTA’s National Executive Council from across the country.