Oyo State plans to sanitise its travel and tour sector, focusing on unregistered operators. Registration drive starts March 24, 2024

The Oyo State government has announced plans to sanitise the state’s travel and tour sector by targeting unregistered travel agencies and allied tour operators.

The initiative, aimed at ensuring better service delivery and compliance with relevant regulations, was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, during a press conference on Monday in Ibadan, the state capital.

The event, organised in partnership with the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), sought to sensitise and raise awareness among operators about the government’s intentions to regulate the sector more effectively.

Olatunbosun stated, “The objective of the exercise is to inform the operators of travel and tour agencies, concerned stakeholders, and the general public about the government’s plans to sanitise the sector through registration of all travel and tour operators in the state.”

The commissioner highlighted the challenges posed by unlicensed operators, stating that many travel and tour agencies operating without the required licences fail to comply with industry laws.

These unregulated operators have been causing significant hardship for the public, with many clients experiencing subpar services. “Most of the tour and travel operators operating without licences fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations that guide the industry and have caused untold hardship to members of the public as a result of the low standard of service,” he added.

As part of the sanitisation process, Olatunbosun explained that the registration of all travel and tour operators would enable the state government to create a comprehensive database.

This would allow for effective monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of agencies operating within the state, ensuring public safety and improving the quality of services provided.

The sensitisation campaign is set to begin on March 24, 2024, and will run for one month. During this period, operators will be encouraged to register and comply with the necessary regulations.

After the awareness phase, the government will implement enforcement measures, including sanctions against unregistered agencies that fail to meet the required standards.