Scotland’s finance secretary Kate Forbes made the announcement as part of her budget on Thursday (10 February). SPAA president Mike Tibbert said the association held a meeting on Thursday (10 January) with the country’s tourism minister Ivan McKee as part of its ongoing efforts to gain sectoral support for its members, which he hailed as "constructive".
He said the minister "took on board the points" made about the negative income agents had suffered with owing to the financial model underpinning outbound tourism.
"Travel agents in Scotland are greatly relieved today," said Tibbert. "We are delighted that, after two years of fighting the corner of travel agents and the travel industry in Scotland, our efforts have paid off. The funding will assist businesses to recover from two years of negative income and to plan for a more secure future for their business."
Tibbert added he hoped the "positive message" from the Scottish government would convince skilled travel professionals who left the industry during the pandemic to return.
Meanwhile, the boss of Aberdeen-based Munro’s Travel, Murray Burnett, said the news was very much welcome after the financial hardship the trade has suffered since March 2020.
"Few sectors suffered as much financially as the outbound travel industry during the past two years," said managing director Burnett.
"While we were able to trade throughout this period, as our work focuses on moving essential workers for the oil, gas, energy and marine sectors and not leisure travel, we know what a traumatic time it has been for travel agents across Scotland. News of this £3.5 million support today for our colleagues across the country is very much welcomed.
“In more than 100 years, Munro’s has lived through tough travel times including wars, terrorism and ash clouds, but nothing in our past could ever have prepared us for the challenges which Covid brought.
“I am delighted to see my industry given this level of support by the Scottish government.”
