President's Column

Time for the Government to get on board and work with the Scottish travel sector!

Announcement after announcement, this year - of new air routes, new airport services, new cruise ships and products and new technology - has demonstrated that travel providers - such as airlines, tour operators and cruise lines - are ready, willing and able to innovate, build the Scottish market and as a consequence, strengthen the Scottish economy. Our Principals are on board. This year's Awards - the 22nd - proved again that travel agents are eager to work with the best providers, flexible enough to do it effectively, and discerning enough to vote with insight for those they believe are the offering the best quality service. Our Travel Agents are on board.

Meanwhile, the Referendum question has been answered for now, but with the strong message that Scots want and expect meaningful further devolution - in other words - Scottish control over issues and mechanisms vital to Scotland's interests. That means, wherever the responsibility for measures like APD, infrastructure development and consumer financial protection comes to rest as a result of the Smith Commission's work, those bodies must respond to the needs of Scots people, Scottish business in general and the Scottish travel sector in particular... click here to read on!

SPAA Diary 2014