By Itohan Laserian
The Managing Director of Finchglow Travels, Mr Ezekiel Ikotun, on Saturday, said Nigeria’s travel industry suffers from a lack of effective data management.
Ikotun made the remarks during a workshop marking the firm’s 19th anniversary and its Summer 90 Plus 3.0 event in Lagos.
He stressed that up-skilling staff is vital to align with technological advances and other innovations within the global travel industry.
Ikotun stated that Nigeria’s travel sector lacks proper data integration, big data usage, industry analytics, and projection tools.
“If these systems are established, we’ll perform better, negotiate as an industry, and project more accurately for our ecosystem,” he noted.
On ‘Summer 90 Plus’, Ikotun explained that the initiative began two years ago and has positively changed the business’s performance.
He said each 90-day summer period is intensely focused, with one month often yielding the highest annual sales.
This, he said, results from heightened efforts to gain market traction through improved customer engagement and service delivery.
“We intensify our customer interactions, offer efficient services, packages, and tickets, and negotiate better with airlines.
“It’s all about value proposition – how best can we improve services to our customers in just 90 days?” he said.
According to Ikotun, the first year of Summer 90 Plus saw N7 billion in sales, N8.1 billion in the second, and N8.4 billion by May 2025.
He urged staff to contribute meaningfully to humanity and the environment, and to always strive to add value wherever they are.
He said the workshop served to evaluate progress, address setbacks, and determine future directions for the firm.
Explaining the workshop choice over a party, Ikotun said staff quality is any company’s greatest strength.
“We consider how to build their capacity and prepare them for the future of this business.
“Well-trained staff can easily navigate the business landscape and deliver top-quality service,” he added.
Ms Adenike Omotenshi, Branch Manager of the Ademola Office, said strategising for the second half of the year is now a priority.
“At Finchglow, training and continuous learning are key, as we constantly aim for excellence.
“Reflecting on the year so far, we prepare early for the second half to ensure swift action and renewed energy,” she added.
Mr David Goriola, a Business Development Executive, said up-skilling staff can significantly transform the labour market.
“I urge everyone to participate and let the system refine you as you also contribute to it.
“You must be willing to learn and grow, or else risk remaining stagnant.
“My takeaway is the need for a strong willingness to learn and develop professionally within the business,” Goriola said.
Recall that Summer 90 Plus helps maximise the summer travel season in aviation and tourism.
