SPAAToday
 
 

President's Column

 

 

 

 

The SPAA Travel Quiz this year has been superb, and it's a great way to get members from all around Scotland mixing; networking; socialising and competing. Second to none for building product knowledge and works a treat in sharpening our competitive edge.

 

This week, it took a tie-break to settle the Final between the top two Teams. In the end, by a combination of stamina and imagination, Thomas Cook Perth's George Street Gals edged it, with Alba Travel's Albaholics worthy Runners-up and Traveleads' Les Quizerables nipping at their heels in 3rd place. Nine Teams went head to head in the Final; twenty-seven in total fought it out - from all across the country. Massive thanks are due to new Quizmaster Irene Darracott, and official 'Dinger' Janice Hogarth; and of course to this year's Sponsors - not least Turkish Airlines, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Osprey Holidays & Ski Independence, and Travel 2 which once again hosted the Final.

 

In the past few months, APD (Air Passenger Duty) has gone from being a tax on UK travellers that could rightly be compared to the old Poll Tax of 30 years ago, to being a bargaining chip in the hands of the various parties fighting for our Independence Referendum votes. At the beginning of the week, it looked like cross-party agreement might be threatening to break out - with APD to be devolved to the Scottish Government, regardless of how the Referendum goes. That soon fell apart though, and a lengthy debate at Holyrood only increased confusion. 

 

Then, there was nothing in the Queen's Speech - so no Parliamentary time planned for the last session before the General Election next year. This is no way to handle an issue as difficult as APD, and the SPAA's view is simple. Regardless of how the Independence Referendum turns out, and no matter who forms the next UK Government, APD must be massively reduced - as soon as possible - if not eliminated.

   

For my money, no business sector has been 'destruction tested' more over the years than travel agents. I've heard arguments that booksellers and music shops have had it just as bad, and as far as pricing goes I wouldn't argue. But neither of those businesses is regulated in the way travel agents are - by our own Government and the EU, and neither has to deal with a tax regime that hits its customers anything like as hard as APD does. So - deepest respect to Border Travel Services of Dumfries, celebrating it's 50th year in the business. It takes stamina, flexibility and imagination (and a bit of bloody-mindedness, too!) to survive and prosper in travel. To do it for 50 years - just quietly getting on with it - is brilliant. To all our colleagues in Dumfries - here's to the next 50! 

 

Jimmy Martin

SPAA President 

 

 

The SPAA 'dinger' was hard at work this week!

 

 

click above

  


SPAA Diary 2014

 

Coming up soon ...

 

Thursday 19 June : Annual Summer Ball - Fruitmarket, Merchant City, Glasgow  

 

... and later in the year :

 

Thursday 19 June : Annual Summer Ball - Fruitmarket, Merchant City, Glasgow 
Thursday 21 August : Annual Golf Day - Stirling Golf Club
Tuesday 16 September : Autumn Seminar & Networking Lunch - Marriott, Glasgow
Thursday 06 November : 2014 AGM / Annual Travel AwardsThistle Hotel, Glasgow
Wednesday 26 November : STAR ExhibitionThistle Hotel, Glasgow
Thursday 11 December : Annual Christmas Lunch29 Club, Glasgow


     
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Edinburgh Airport airport travel is child's play
Etihad Airways enhanced access to India
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Celebrity Cruises connecting flight from �99
Cruise & Maritime Voyages sailing from Scotland aboard Discovery
DFDS Seaways Summer of football offers
Hurtigruten the Hurtigruten difference - great new video
NCL Norwegian Cruise Lines freestyle weekly news 
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Affordable Car Hire Cyprus offers
Azure Collection great hotels and special offers
Newmarket Holidays delightful European breaks
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SHG latest news including Hayes & Jarvis
SuperBreak Wendy's superbreak offers
Travel 2 outstanding Australasia deals
TravelCube European mini breaks
Wendy Wu Tours free business class upgrade to China   


 
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SPAA Travel Quiz 2014 - The Final
see all the pictures in the Gallery at www.spaa.org
 
  
 

Many congratulations to SPAA Member



Celebrating 50 years in business this year!


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