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Hello and welcome everyone to my latest update on our SPAA.
As I write this, the UK is basking in record temperatures and I suspect it will be too hot for many and result in more disruption to travel plans due to the consequences of excessive heat. Ironically, I’m currently in Mumbai and it’s Monsoon season, so for once we could do with a little bit of the rain
here back in Scotland. I travelled out via Doha and I have to say the entire experience was excellent and seamless without any issues from door to door albeit the wearing of a mask on board the aircraft.
The SPAA recently hosted in Edinburgh the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-party
Group on Aviation which included representatives from Holyrood, Airlines, Airports and of course, travel agents. We found it to be a very constructive discussion and agreement was made to drive forward a strategy to increase the positive messages towards the public and media relating to raising confidence and awareness to negate the current trend of talking down travel which
is reflected in the media and social networks.
It is almost beyond comprehension
that after all we have been through as an industry and after the long-awaited reduction in restrictions, we find ourselves in a position that in certain UK and European airports flight schedules are being reduced as the infrastructure is unable to cope with the passenger numbers. Demand is now exceeding supply and we as travel agents are again in the position of having no product on certain instances to
procure for our clients.
Align this with the knock-on effect
of agents being unable to provide connections from Scottish airports due to flight cancellations and capping of capacity at certain airports and this just piles on the dissatisfaction from the travelling public and increases the frustration levels for all.
I was also fortunate enough to attend the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards in London and delighted to see so many SPAA members nominated
THE VOICE OF TRAVEL IN SCOTLAND
in multiple categories and of course, turn out eventually to be the winners - congratulations to all. We are all very proud of this excellent recognition for our hard working members.
Our annual golf event was recently held in Lanark and had a good turn out, with lots of prizes and good fun - although
in my case, not necessarily the best
golf round - but it’s the taking part that counts! Well done to the winners and many thanks to the sponsors. It’s always an excellent networking opportunity.
May I also take this opportunity
to remind you that the very first
Sparkle Awards will take place on
8th September. This is the perfect opportunity to recognise and reward those individuals within our industry that stood up and went above and beyond the call of duty looking after clients in what continues to be the most unpredictable and stressful of times for their travellers over the last two years or so and who still are dealing with the ongoing challenges today.
It’s important that these contributions are recognised and we will be looking forward to revealing the winners at the awards lunch which will be held in Edinburgh this year.
Take care and stay safe.
Mike Tibbert SPAA President
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