The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Yinka Folami, has revealed that Nigerian travel agents played a significant role in the success of the country’s popular year-end tourism phenomenon known as Detty December. Folami made the remarks while speaking as a guest at the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference, where he highlighted the behind-the-scenes contributions of travel agencies in managing the influx of visitors into the country during the festive period.
According to him, NANTA members were actively involved in coordinating travel bookings, managing disruptions in domestic flight connections and planning itineraries for inbound members of the Nigerian diaspora who travel to the country during the December festivities. Folami noted that Detty December has become a major driver of aviation traffic into Nigeria, particularly through Lagos and Abuja, as thousands of international travellers arrive for concerts, cultural events, nightlife and family reunions.
He explained that the surge in passenger movement has also had a positive ripple effect on the hospitality industry, boosting hotel occupancy and increasing demand for tourism services across major cities. “Detty December always generates significant aviation traffic because of the massive influx of international passengers, especially from Lagos and Abuja,” he said, noting that travel agents play a critical role in ensuring seamless movement for visitors. Addressing concerns about congestion at Nigerian airports during the festive season, the NANTA president said the situation largely reflects the growing popularity and effectiveness of the Detty December tourism season.
He added that similar travel surges occur in developed countries during the same period, particularly around Christmas and New Year celebrations. However, Folami acknowledged that congestion at domestic airports in Nigeria also points to a capacity challenge, explaining that the country currently lacks sufficient domestic aviation capacity to handle the sharp rise in passenger numbers during the period. Looking ahead to future editions of Detty December, Folami emphasised that expanding and sustaining the initiative should not be left to government alone, stressing that the private sector must play a stronger role.
He called for greater collaboration among industry organisations, including the Akwaaba African Travel Market, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), and NANTA, alongside other hospitality and tourism stakeholders, to further promote the initiative. Folami also urged stakeholders to improve planning and coordination ahead of the 2026 festive season, particularly in areas such as airport transfers and ground transportation.
He noted that some visitors currently face excessively high charges for airport pickups during the period, calling for more predictable pricing and structured logistics to improve the overall visitor experience. According to him, with better planning, stronger collaboration and improved infrastructure, Detty December could evolve into a globally recognised tourism season capable of attracting even more visitors and generating greater economic impact for Nigeria.
Mr. Folami also expressed reservations about the phrase “Detty December,” stating that he is not comfortable with its usage. According to him, he does not clearly understand what the term truly represents, which raises concerns about its continued promotion. He therefore stressed the need to reconsider the expression and possibly adopt a more appropriate term. He emphasized that a phrase so widely associated with the country’s festive season and cultural tourism should carry a meaning that is clear, respectable and reflective of the values it intends to promote.
