The Managing Director of Finchglow Travels and former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard, in this interview speaks about his expectations for the economy post Covid-19 to in order spur economic recovery. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts:
What do you think Nigeria may be losing due to these ban on some countries over COVID-19?
Well, there is what we call post COVID-19 recovery. And a lot of countries that seem to understand what they are doing are already experiencing post-COVID-19 recovery. Putting relevant measures in place and capitalizing on the weakness of other countries within the economies around the world. For not allowing flow of movement, as it were, due to fears, will continue to make us lose out. I will give you an instance. I hope you know that COVID-19 test in America is free. Nobody charges one dollar for COVID-19 test in America. I just got back from America. And I did not see America close her borders to any country because they know the importance of holidays.
Most of their holiday destinations and recreational centers are open. And they are still preaching that people should be vaccinated. It shows you the importance of recovery and they are recovering from it as quickly as possible. In what way have we put such measures in place? This is America that was an epic COVID-19 center at a point. We were far from being an epic center. We have not even experienced up to 5000 deaths record in Nigeria as it were. So why can’t we capitalize on the fact that we have low COVID-19 record and do what other countries are doing. That is what Kenya, Qatar and others are doing.
How do see you the ban of passengers from South Africa by Nigeria as Air Peace goes to South Africa. South African Airways is not operating yet. So with the ban, Nigeria does not have direct flight to South Africa. What is the implication of this on air travel in Nigeria?
I honestly do not understand the rationale why travellers from South Africa are banned from coming to Nigeria. Is it because they said the COVID-19 variant there is stronger? It is not a problem at all. There are measures that you just need to put place. Can’t we just apply those measures? Because we must understood something, that what we have is what they call bilateral agreement between two countries. Which means the aviation sector of Nigerian government and the aviation sector of the South African government will have to execute that bilateral agreement process on behalf of the two nations. So why should we now say that Air Peace cannot fly there and bring back passengers? Is that not a loss to the airline? I don’t know how they are doing this.
How would they survive it? Is it not the best opportunity to grow own local brand? The health sector will always come up with precautionary measures but they should not dictate to us how we would carry out our business in the aviation sector because they do not know where the shoe pinches. They do not understand the bilateral agreements. It is the virtue of the pandemic that brought them into that relationship. So you cannot be a stranger in a relationship and be the one dictating the tune of that relationship. It is never done; it is not possible. We need to put ourselves together, we need to be able to prove to our health sector that, look if we put these measures in place, then we see no reason why we will have the restriction. But if we continue to live in fear, we will have what is called economic loss and we will be losing out in the scheme of things. This is when a Nigerian carrier should benefit from the weakness of what is happening around the world and that opportunity is denied it.
The information we got is that so many Nigerians who would have come back are stranded in Dubai. The Minister said that the policy of Dubai on COVID-19 protocol is discriminatory to Nigeria?
That news that Nigerians are stranded in Dubai is sensational news. We must not be carried away. But at the same time, I believe that the government needs to come to roundtable and iron out these diplomatic challenges. I consider it challenges because when the two countries have established a bilateral agreement and something seems not right about it, there is need for them to come to a round table as quick as possible and resolve it. The challenge between the two governments goes beyond you and I. But I will say to you that Nigerians are going to Dubai, and they are going there via Cotonou. Who is losing out? We are the ones losing out. You know why we are losing out? Because what would have come to our NCAA (the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) is being lost out.
So other people are benefiting from what we are losing out. We are helping other people’s economy to grow. Because Kenya Airways is lifting Nigerians to Dubai, Qatar is doing the same. Egypt is doing the same. Only Emirates and Nigeria are not benefiting from it because we will now not have direct flights. So why can’t we just put our ego aside and go into discussions and get it resolved. Dubai needs us as much as we need them. So both governments just need to sit at the round table and get this thing resolved because they say when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. It is the travellers that are feeling the pinch; it is the business people that are feeling the pinch. Because instead of booking a direct flight, they now have to connect through other countries, which is unnecessary hassles to us and the nation at large.
So how far are the Nigerian travel agencies making out under this situation now?
You are aware that summer period is the peak period where we travel agencies make money and we make huge sales. Even the ones that are not doing well will do well at that time because the demand is very high. As a matter of fact, that is the only time that demand surpasses supply. But when you close some routes that means we are going to lose out on inventory. Some other people will capitalize on it. Government has discouraged Nigerians from enjoying their little summer. Because after you worked, you have saved up for your summer, you should be able to go. I don’t think it is fair; we have already broken the protocol in place, if you don’t have your negative COVID-19 tests. If you don’t pay for another COVID-19 test, you cannot come into the country. So before you even board the flight, all that has been done and uploaded.
So I see no reason why they will think that it is going to come from outside again. When people are coming in from the neighbouring countries borders and nothing is being done about that. They are making it impossible for us travel agencies to thrive at the peak of our business. At least to recoup from what we have lost last year for the five months lockdown that we experienced last year. I think it is unfair and I think the government needs to look into it. They need to look into it and help us see how our business can thrive once again. We are not even talking about going back to 2019 market situation; we are willing to have an increment at this time to have new normal period. Because if you experience an increase it means that we will make more profits.
How do you see Nigeria’s COVID-19 protocol and what do you recommend for the country?
To a very large extent the COVID-19 protocol we put in place is quite commendable. But my question is this, Why must travellers pay through their nose? If United States of America can say COVID-19 test is free, why should you make your citizens pay that huge sum? I think it is unfair. I think it is something the government can look into. We should stop thinking that air travel is luxury. It is no longer luxury but necessity. Let us start to look at it that way. Let us start to look at travel as an essential service and not one luxury thing. I mean nobody is flying private jets. We are talking about going from point A to Point B using a commercial flight. So the COVID-19 test protocol they put in place is good, but I believe that the cost can come down.
I think the cost needs to come down. There is no need putting the cost at over N40, 000. In Abuja it is cheaper. Are we saying the government is in the business of making money from its own people?
How do you see the load factor; do you think foreign airline are having good load factor from Nigeria?
To be honest with you, some are having it good, some are having it bad. The likes of Qatar, Airways, Egypt Air, Turkish Air, they are all smiling out of Nigeria. Once you open your boarder people are willing to pass through it. British Airways is not having it so smooth because the cost of COVID-19 is discouraging people from going there. So, people are not going there as much as they would love to. Remember that London used to be number one destination for Nigerians. But not anymore because when you look at the cost then you might as well think of other alternatives. And people are going to Kenya and they are from Kenya going to other cities around the world.
A lot of places have opened, because the 200 pounds you pay for test in the UK, when you look at it at the rate of black market, it is around N113, 734.08. With that you will probably use that money to pay for your accommodation if you go elsewhere. So why waste it? So other destinations are enjoying while others are still struggling. Those destinations that have opened their doors, they are enjoying, I mean you can be at wonderful places like Maldives, all those holiday spots, they have all opened because they know what they will lose. They know the importance of visitors into their country.
There are reports that Ghana is attracting more people from all over the world especially from the US and maybe Canada because of favourable disposition towards foreign visitors. Do you think Ghana is really taking up that advantage over Nigeria?
Well, like I said, for business to thrive we have to create an enabling environment. We could see the movement of visitors as a serious business, but we have not been able to latch onto such opportunities. Ghana has seen it and they have latched on it. The question is, there must be sync between our aviation sector and our tourism sector for it to thrive. I can tell you that the crime rate in America has gone up, but how well has it the affected their tourism sector. They have opened up all their tourist attractions and people are going there. Ghana created enabling environment that allows such travel to happen. But we have not done that. Ghana is attractive because Ghana is calling everyone to come; that her doors are open.
More hotels are opening up in Ghana than they are in Nigeria. So it is left for us. Then look at it, the Nigerian currency is becoming weaker by the day. So it means that the purchasing power will be very weak. So Ghana will continue to thrive because they have seen some level of stability. What stability have we provided in terms of economy, and security and social political problems? So when we come to terms with things like that, then we will be showing to the rest the world that we are for serious business. But as for now, Ghana is enjoying when they find out that we are giant Africa and we are sleeping. So the day we wake up, that is the day our day will start and we will be able to benefit. I just hope it won’t be too late.
Your company celebrated 15 years of operation recently. What other plans do you have to continue for the future?
Well, at this particular point in time, let’s look at it very well. You will say why should we be celebrating after Covid-19 and after we have lost a lot of money? But you see the company’s foundation is built on relationship, is built on professionalism. Because we realized that as big player in the industry, if we do not celebrate this kind of milestone, people would not understand how far we have come. And we will not be able to inspire others that are looking forward to coming into the business or making a living out of the business. So our celebration of 15 years is to inspire others and inspire those that are struggling. I mean hold onto it, there will light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what the challenges are now it means that the future is going to be brighter. That is the message we are trying to pass to the people and to pass to our customer, to let them understand that, the new normal is what we are focusing on.
And what is the new normal? Ensuring that we are able to provide a safe, healthy service to our clients so that they are able to fly seamlessly or with the airline that respects COVID-19 protocols. So that is the message we are trying to pass to our clients and to the general public at large. That we are here to celebrate 15 years of professionalism, we are here to celebrate 15 years of success, and transition from one stage to another. It has not been easy but we are grateful to God that we have metamorphosed from a small travel agency to a big one within the 15 years. We have offices: two in Abuja, one in Port Harcourt and five in Lagos. Despite all that we have not closed any, we are still forging ahead. And by the grace of God the next five years will be talking about creating our own airline to operate within the Nigerian airspace.
