Oyo Govt set to clamp down on unregistered travel, tour agencies

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Oyo State Government has announced plans to sanitize the travel and tour sector by registering all travel and tour operators in the state.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, disclosed this during a press conference held in collaboration with the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA). He stated that the move aims to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations guiding the industry.

Olatunbosun explained that the registration exercise would provide the government with a database of all travel and tour operators, enabling effective monitoring and evaluation of their activities while ensuring the safety of lives and property.

The commissioner noted that many travel and tour operators in the state are operating without licenses and failing to comply with industry regulations, causing hardship to the public due to substandard services.

He stated that a sensitization and awareness campaign would commence on March 24, 2024, lasting for a month. After this period, the government would begin enforcing sanctions on unregistered travel and tour operators.

According to Olatunbosun, “A recent economic and business survey conducted in December 2024 showed that the number of daily visitors to Oyo State increased from an average of 1,604 in May 2019 to an average of 18,459 as of December 2024—an increase of 16,855 tourists per day. This surge in tourist arrivals has led to a rise in the number of tour operators from 96 in May 2019 to 1,704 as of December 2024.

“However, many of these tour operators are unregistered and conducting business without adhering to industry regulations. This has resulted in a lack of service standards and security concerns due to illegal activities by some operators. This is why the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Oyo State Chapter, has decided to embark on a sensitization and enforcement campaign to ensure travel and tour agencies register with the state government.”

The Deputy National President of NANTA (South-West Zone), Dr. Olatokunbo Dagunduro, commended the Oyo State Government for its efforts in supporting the culture and tourism sector. He assured that the association would support the government’s initiative to ensure the travel and tour industry operates safely and efficiently.