The extra funding brings the total amount of cash available to outbound businesses to nearly £6 million after a £3.5 million pledge was made earlier this month.

Mike Tibbert, president of The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), said members were “grateful” to minister for listening to the industry’s financial concerns and the “unique difficulties” agents face.

“We look forward to hearing details of how this additional support will be apportioned and we sincerely hope that our homeworking 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,” said Tibbert.

Barrhead Travel president and SPAA vice-president Jacqueline Dobson said the support cash would “further stabilise recovery for many businesses on the high street”.

“It is a relief to see that the Scottish government is acknowledging the severe loss of revenue that travel businesses have endured over the last two years. The funding will provide meaningful support ahead of summer 2022, where most businesses are seeing the volume of departures,” said Dobson.
 
“International travel is on track for a strong summer, and we look forward to continuing to engage with the Scottish government on our industry’s progress over the coming months.”