Finchglow Travels Rallies Airlines, Agencies to Tackle Industry Challenges
Nigeria’s aviation and travel sector witnessed another major conversation as Finchglow Travels, the nation’s leading travel consolidator, hosted the Port Harcourt edition of PartnerPlus Connect (PPC) Live, a high-impact forum that brought together airlines, travel agencies, and trade partners to deliberate on strategies for sustainable growth amid current economic pressures.
Themed around resilience and innovation, the gathering came at a time when stakeholders continue to grapple with foreign-exchange volatility, rising ticket prices, and shifting traveller preferences.
With demand still fragile, the dialogue centred on how businesses can stay profitable and relevant while meeting customer expectations in an uncertain market.
Delivering his remarks, Mr Ezekiel Ikotun, Managing Director of Finchglow Travels, stressed the importance of dialogue and practical collaboration across the travel value chain.
“Our goal is to create a platform where airlines and agencies can exchange ideas, confront realities, and leave with solutions they can apply immediately,” Ikotun said. “It is not just about selling tickets anymore, but about building resilience and ensuring smarter growth across the industry.”
The forum featured robust discussions on multiple fronts, from candid debates on foreign exchange challenges to innovative proposals for diversifying revenue streams. Travel agents raised concerns over weak consumer demand, while airline representatives acknowledged the burden of high operating costs and currency instability.
Mr Abiola Bakare, B2B Manager at Finchglow Travels, highlighted the essence of PPC Live as a collaborative space. “Forex volatility and high fares have redefined the market,” Bakare noted. “Through PPC Live, we listen to our partners, identify their pain points, and co-create strategies – be it through innovative fare structures, technology integration, or operational support.”
A significant part of the discussions focused on opportunities beyond traditional ticketing. Participants examined the potential of humanitarian, diplomatic, and marine fares, as well as value-added digital services and data-driven distribution channels, all aimed at strengthening agency margins while enhancing the customer experience.
By choosing Port Harcourt for this edition, Finchglow Travels demonstrated its commitment to expanding the scope of industry dialogue beyond Lagos, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for regional capacity-building and economic development.
“Events like these are about building an ecosystem,” Ikotun added. “When agencies grow stronger, airlines achieve more, and travellers get better value. That is the win-win situation we are building towards.”
Since its launch, PartnerPlus Connect Live has emerged as an important touchpoint for the aviation and travel community in Nigeria. Its participatory format has encouraged openness and generated practical solutions to help agencies, consolidators, and airlines navigate post-pandemic recovery.
The next edition of the event will be held in Abuja, marking its second appearance in the Federal Capital Territory and underlining Finchglow Travels’ continued commitment to engaging stakeholders in all major travel hubs across the country.
