MEMBERS of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) which represents the country’s travel agents and outbound travel sector, are today hailing an additional £2.4million of support from the Scottish Government. The SPAA has been lobbying on behalf of its members since the pandemic outbreak decimated their businesses as travel ground to a halt.
Mike Tibbert, president of The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), the professional body for travel agents and the travel sector in Scotland, commented:
“Today’s announcement of a further £2.4 million, in addition to the previously announced £3.5 million, for the outbound travel sector is hugely welcomed by, and very much necessary for, our industry.
“The outbound travel sector is complex and has a financial model unlike any other industry. Travel agents only receive revenue when the passenger actually departs on a trip and there is a long-standing tradition of home workers.
“We look forward to hearing details of how this additional support will be apportioned and we sincerely hope that our home working colleagues who have often been overlooked in funding packages which relied on businesses having a business premises, will be entitled to their share of support after almost two long years of struggle.
“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for listening and acting on our organisation’s activity in communicating the unique difficulties which we have faced.”
The SPAA, celebrated its centenary in 2021 and is the world’s oldest organisation representing travel agents. It currently has 120 member companies, all their associated agencies across Scotland including many home workers, and 92 associate members across the travel and transport industry.