The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies has commenced a seven-day retreat and familiarisation tour in Ghana as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships, promote Nigerian travel brands across borders and accelerate the implementation of tourism policies across West Africa.
The retreat, hosted by Safari World, has brought together members of the association’s National Executive Council for a week-long engagement aimed at fostering stronger business relationships with key players in Ghana’s tourism industry while exploring opportunities to increase travel traffic between both countries.
Speaking during the reception of the delegation at Safari World Homes in Accra, NANTA President, Yinka Folami, said the visit was designed to move beyond policy discussions to practical initiatives capable of boosting tourism and trade across the sub-region.
According to him, the association’s leadership was in Ghana to advance the implementation of tourism policies while expanding NANTA’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands beyond the country’s borders.
“This mission is not a leisure trip. It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders,” Folami said.
He stressed that closer collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana was critical to unlocking the vast tourism potential within the region. “Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade, and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he added.
Folami explained that the retreat would provide a platform for industry leaders from both countries to develop practical strategies capable of stimulating travel, investment, and tourism products.
“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice, creating real products, real partnerships, and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos,” he said.
Speaking on the broader prospects for tourism and intra-African travel, the NANTA president expressed satisfaction with the level of private investment in Ghana’s tourism sector, particularly Safari Valley Resort, describing it as a model worthy of emulation across the continent.
Folami said he was impressed by the scale of investment and the hospitality demonstrated by the management of the resort, stressing that the relationship between NANTA and tourism stakeholders in Ghana should not end with the current visit.
“I’m not disappointed. In fact, I am impressed by the deliberate financial investment I have seen here in Ghana, and Safari Valley has also shown lavish generosity. We cannot afford to let this relationship stop here. We can’t wait for the government to do everything for us. We must work together and partner with organisations like Safari Valley and send a deliberate message out. And what is this message?
“We must encourage African citizens to see Africa as home, such that when a Nigerian comes to Ghana, he or she will feel like they are still in Nigeria and not in a foreign country. That is why I have said that we may not get it right until we prioritise buying from ourselves and buying from ourselves first.
“Also, why we are encouraging tourism here is because such initiatives will encourage reverse tourism to Nigeria.”
He added that stronger collaboration among African tourism operators would not only boost regional travel but also deepen cultural integration, strengthen economic ties and create reciprocal tourism opportunities between Ghana, Nigeria and other countries on the continent.
Speaking earlier while receiving the Nigerian delegation, the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Ernest Gyekye, expressed delight at hosting the executives and assured them of an enriching experience throughout their stay in Ghana.
He noted that the visit would further strengthen tourism ties between both countries while showcasing Ghana’s growing tourism offerings.
During the retreat, the NANTA executives are expected to hold strategic business-to-business meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, visit major tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange programmes aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and business cooperation.
The itinerary includes visits to Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.
Operating under the theme, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a preferred destination for leisure travel, conferences, family holidays, group tourism, and premium travel experiences.
