Travel agency syndicate mobilize to root out fraudsters

Stakeholders from the National Syndicate of Travel Agencies and Tourism of Cameroon, SNAVTC have called on the national and international community with the support of the media to join them in their endeavors to fight the illegal practices plaguing the sector while calling for an urgent need to regulate activities of the travel agencies in Cameroon.

Speaking last week in a press confab at the nation’s economic hub, Douala, representatives of the syndicate regretted the fact that out of some 518 travel agencies operating in Cameroon, only 86 comply with the law. A decimal proportion of less than 20%.

According to Georges Sangang, president of SNATVC, the sector which is marred by a lot of disorder has to be reguralised and urgently. While calling on all stakeholders to accompany them in their endeavors, he reassured all that his team will stop at nothing to restore order in the sector.

To the vice president of SNAVTC, Litumbe Litombo, the Ministry of Tourism needs to enforce a serious crackdown on illegal travel agencies by pressuring them to regularise or face closure. He also called on the government to increase the commission received by travel agencies so as to enable them compete fairly with foreign agencies which are operating increasingly in the country.

Whiling stressing that SNATVC has approached all travel agencies, sensitising them on the necessity to operate within the confines of the law thus enabling a serene business atmosphere for all involved in the sector,  he frowned at those whom he say continue to maintain lukewarm altitude.

Other problems including tax evasion and money laundry which causes the government billions of Francs CFA was equally raised. The members of syndicate added that they will take the necessary legal action if necessary, so all recalcitrant travel agencies face the law. Quoting article 006 of 18^th April 2016 on the regulation of the travel agency and tourism sector in Cameroon, they reminded all those present that it is necessary to clean the sector which contributes a great deal to Cameroon’s revenue.

It should be noted that the National Syndicate of Travel Agencies and Tourism of Cameroon, SNAVTC has been in existence for close to 30 years and has been the watchdog of the air travel and tourism sector in Cameroon. The recently elected bureau is the third team to take office at the head of the oraganisation.