The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) is appealing to the Scottish government for rates parity with the rest of the UK’s retail, hospitality and leisure sector.

Small Business Saturday, said the SPAA, was an ideal opportunity to highlight the importance of high street travel agents to "struggling" local high streets and the wider Scottish economy.

Eligible businesses in England and Wales can seek a 50% reduction in business rates for the 2022/23 tax year, and 75% in the 2023/24 tax year.

"Outbound travel is often seen to be taking spend out of Scotland and into other countries,” said SPAA president Mike Tibbert. "But this is absolutely not the case. Our independent research shows just one plane-full of holidaymakers spends a staggering £38,000 in Scotland before they depart.

"Scots spend in the region of £460 million here at home before holidaying in Spain alone - and that excludes the spend of those heading for the Canaries. But we need support from the Scottish government to continue this valuable contribution to the economy.”

The SPAA on Friday (2 December) highlighted a recent report from the Scottish government’s economy and fair work committee, which stated the country’s current business rate system acts as a deterrent to businesses setting up, or investing in, Scotland’s town centres.

“If we want vibrant high streets which benefit the wider economy and not just individual businesses, then the Scottish government urgently needs to examine how businesses like our travel agent members can be supported to achieve this," Tibbert continued.

Citing the SPAA’s OnePoll survey, Tibbert said 80% of Scots spend up to £250 on holiday items before they depart. "That’s money spent in local shops and businesses on clothing, toiletries, sunglasses, suitcases and beauty treatments," said Tibbert.

"Add to this the value of taxi fares, spend on food and drink at the airport and duty free purchases, and it’s easy to see the sizeable benefit local travel agents bring to a wide range of local businesses.

"It’s not only holiday travel which brings enormous benefits to the Scottish economy. The value of worldwide travel to Scottish businesses, which enables global trade, is hugely important to Scotland’s place in international trade."