Jacqueline Dobson, Barrhead Travel Group president, recently look over as president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) and will serve for the next two years.
So was this ever in her game plan as a school leaver? “Never – I have to pinch myself at times,” she smiles. “I’m absolutely delighted and honoured.”
Dobson’s first role with the SPAA came at a bad moment. “I joined council in 2020, just in time for Covid,” she recalls. Four years later, she’s risen from vice-president to the top role, but the pandemic has shaped her sense of what she wants to achieve.
"Last year [2023] was a recovery year, 2024 will be more about how we build back," she insisted. "We’re really optimistic about the future. The main focus for me will be lobbying for the regeneration of the high street. It’s travel agents and charity shops that are propping it up.”
Business rates are another Covid hangover that needs tackling, she feels, especially as Scotland’s pre-Christmas Budget failed to address this. “England gets 75% rates relief; Scotland hasn’t had that."
This also affects the high street’s recovery, she stresses. “Rates are more expensive than rent in some cases.” She also criticises punitive parking fees for pushing consumers towards retail parks.
Then there is Scotland’s connections with the world. “I’m passionate about connectivity," Dobson says. "Glasgow has no US flights and the [British Airways] connection to Gatwick is one a day, and nothing from Edinburgh.
"EasyJet is fantastic, but there are no through fares. I’ll be lobbying the airlines – it’s important for both corporate and leisure perspective.”
Recruitment and training is another bugbear. Dobson describes the funding system in Scotland as “not fit for purpose” and vows to lobby Skills Development Scotland to reinstate retail travel courses, which ended in 2023.
“I started as a trainee, so I’m really invested in it – we need to make sure youngsters have the opportunity.”
Political clout
There is also a campaign against Scotland’s proposed cruise levy, in tandem with Clia and others. A cruise working group, similar to that which the SPAA has for aviation, is being established.
Dobson believes Scotland’s tourism levy will be introduced first and that both, she argues, will put off visitors, while neither tax will be ring-fenced to fund tourism projects or environmental protection.
She does not believe the forthcoming general election will change the SPAA’s approach to Holyrood or Westminster, with the pandemic meaning strong relationships were cemented with politicians at both.
“We’ve had engagement with all parties, they know who we are.”
Those MPs and MSPs can expect to get their ears bent. There’s a lot to get on with, but one thing Dobson will not be lobbying for is change to the SPAA itself. “The SPAA works extremely well," she insists.
"There won’t be a lot of change, maybe some different focuses.” The annual dinner and awards will remain in their current format, she says. “The dinner is a great networking event and it’s full of Scottish tradition, we wouldn’t want to change that.”
The association’s influence is down to its membership, which numbers 120 – including 50 homeworkers. All the main consortia are associates, with Tui and Carnival Cruise Line coming onboard in the new year. “They see the value of our training days,” Dobson believes.
’Healthy lates market’
As for Dobson’s day job, things are going well on that score as the year turns. “I’m really optimistic we will have a great wave period and a healthy lates market," she says.
"I’m cautiously optimistic about the cost of living situation and geopolitical events – customers will still want a holiday.” She notes only one sales area where things are downbeat – the US – which, she says, comes back to the lack of connectivity.
Barrhead has some 2024 store openings in the pipeline south of the border, but Dobson’s more public SPAA role will see her continue lobbying for its members. For her, the SPAA must do what it says on the tin: “We’re all about what we can do for our passengers and agents.”
