SPAA Members Update 4.10.24

If a reminder was needed, of just how quickly world events + political choices can produce awful results, this week in Israel and around the Middle East provides it – and undoubtedly our hearts have to go out to the innocent folk throughout the region who – as always – have to endure the consequences.

It’s a heart-breaking situation, but it also high-lights again how important travel and direct interaction with other people + their cultures is in building mutual respect and understanding.

Our news and social media interaction can be a major force for good – but unfortunately it can also distort and deplete understanding, so we should never under-estimate the value of face-to-face communication, and what we do.

We talked in last week’s edition of the Update, about the strong evidence in recent research that consumer confidence in leisure travel remains high – despite their more general worries about the cost of living. This week, that confidence also comes through on the part of our airlines and tour operator partners, with the announcement of big increases in their ATOL-Licence capacity for the coming year.

This means many more air seats in the UK and Scottish markets and more intense competition between our operators. It does not need to mean, though, that pricing should become the primary competitive tool for operators or agents. We all have our part to play in promoting intelligent pricing and acceptable bottom-line profit for all.

Confidence also seems relatively strong in the cruise sector, alongside a note of mild caution regarding overly-high capacity in some areas. A comprehensive article on the sector appeared in this week’s TTG – and it’s well-worthy of attention.

Cruising’s flexibility, in our current political and environmental landscape, contributes to its strong position in the global leisure travel market. Long potential advance-booking windows are the norm – which should encourage intelligent pricing, and itineraries are adjustable – to accommodate unforeseeable events.

Mention is also made of the high level of cruise operators’ confidence in the expertise and professionalism of travel agents, and the consumer trend towards entrusting their cruise bookings to travel professionals.

All the current signs point to 2025 being, potentially, a strong year for profitable growth in our travel businesses – provided we continue to hone our knowledge and skills, and stay flexible and innovative, in cooperation with our trusted supplier partners.

A reminder that Jet2.com + Jet2CityBreaks

will operate to Reykjavik from Glasgow and Edinburgh this Winter, as part of an expanded flying programme to Iceland.

GLA will get 2 weekly services – Wednesday and Sunday – operating 6th to 24th November

EDI will have 2 dedicated trips in total, comprising one four-night trip on 5th February 2025 and one three-night trip on 9th February 2025.

Proposed Aviation Tax; Tourist Tax ‘revenue-raids’ in Europe are making the SPAA + FTC argument for major re-think on travel policy by the UK Government ever-stronger

In a ‘text-book raid’ on France’s commercial aviation sector, the French Government is looking to increase the nation’s aviation tax burden on travellers – business and leisure travellers alike. This is apparently aimed at reducing the country’s ‘soaring national debt’. Needless to say, France’s airports and airlines are warning against the move and highlighting that its long-term effects will harm the national economy.

The fact that a growing list of European national governments, including Ireland, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands have re-thought their planned policies and are abolishing / reducing their aviation taxes is really signifcant. They are recognising – as the SPAA is currently arguing – that these taxes are counter-productive and damaging to their national economies.

Meanwhile, the Balearic Islands’ government have announced plans to increase their tourist tax during peak season – another potentially counter-productive development that threatens to dampen visitor demand and ultimately damage their regional economy.

These two new examples of potentially ‘growth-limiting’ developments add more strength to our current lobbying activities. As Members know, we have put forward – in partnership with our Future Travel Coalition colleagues – travel’s manifesto for government, in advance of the UK’s Autumn budget on 30th October. We need an urgent re-think by the Chancellor, on their current SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), business rates and skills development policies.

We also continue to advocate against the imposition of the Visitor Levy (tax) in Edinburgh, and the proposed Cruise Levy (tax) in Scotland.

Travel and tourism income is demonstrably key to countries and regions pursuing economic growth. European governments are increasingly ‘getting the picture’ and we will continue to make our evidence-based cases assertively with the UK and Scottish Governments.

SPAA Annual Travel Awards 2024

Thursday 31st October

DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow

Time flies, and our unmissable annual Travel Awards evening is once again on the horizon and coming up fast! We are looking forward to welcoming you to Glasgow + another glittering occasion!

REMEMBER – YOUR VOTE COUNTS + THE VOTING DEADLINE IS APPROACHING!

Your votes determine the Winners – so if you haven’t already done so – please be sure to take part!

Agents – please cast your votes for your favourite Suppliers, share the link with your colleagues and encourage them to vote too! Associates – please cast your votes for your favourite Agencies.

Connect to the Voting Forms via the links below and cast your votes – not later than 5.30pm on Monday 14th October 2024

Travel Agent Members | Click here

Associate Members | Click here

Do those of us who can remember the numerous ‘existential threats’ that have challenged our future over the years – from Prestel to the Worldwide Web and ‘direct-sell’ to ‘online booking’ – tremble at the thought of ALDI Australia’s move into selling holidays? Bringing their hugely popular ‘Special Buys to the skies’, as an ALDI spokesperson has called it.

Crucially, is the development likely to ’emigrate’ here? I have to say, even as a big ALDI fan, my instinct is that it would have limited appeal in the UK + most consumers are not focused on travel or ‘big ticket’ items when searching for their favourite brand of balsamic vinegar in the supermarket. I’ll watch for signs of travel agency shopfitters in those central aisles, though!

Have a restful, relaxing weekend and enjoy your weekly shop! #Staysafe and take care, you and yours!

All the best ~