Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the victims of the recent atrocities in Paris. It is impossible to make any sense of the appalling images that we have seen on our TV screens and newspapers over the weekend. The terrible events in Paris on 13th November, coming so close after the bombings in Beirut and the downing of a Russian passenger jet flying home from Sharm El Sheik the previous week, serve to remind us that there are fanatics out there that will stop at nothing and target anyone to try and destroy our freedom and way of life.
Despite some of the negative publicity in the media, I do think that the airlines and operators have done a pretty good job in very difficult circumstances to repatriate and rebook passengers caught up in the problems. Of course it is inconvenient for many, but sometimes we have to see the bigger picture. The lives that have been lost and changed forever....
As for the longer term impact on the Travel and Tourism business, unfortunately, we will have to wait and see.
Under such circumstances, it hardly seems appropriate to mention our annual SPAA Travel Awards night. But I would just like to congratulate all the winners and commiserate with the runners up and nominees - there will always be next year!
Just a reminder that the Glasgow event of the Scottish Travel Agents Roadshow (STAR) takes place at the Glasgow City Hotel on the evening of Tuesday 24th November. There will be lots of great exhibitors and prizes - so please make sure you come along.
Also save the date for the SPAA Christmas Lunch on Thursday 10th December at the 29 Club Glasgow - always a great wee event!