Jacqueline Dobson, in her inaugural address as the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association president, urged political leaders to take decisive measures to support the high street.
Her speech underlined the crucial need for governmental involvement, highlighting concerns over financial discrepancies and connectivity issues faced by the travel and tourism sector.
Jacqueline Dobson, the newly appointed president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), has made a fervent appeal to politicians to implement measures that would revitalise the high street. This call was part of her first official address, reflecting the urgency for government intervention to support the struggling retail sector.
Dobson highlighted a significant concern that the support from the Scottish government falls short when compared to the expansive needs of the travel industry. In her keynote speech, she criticised the lack of matching rates relief in the Scottish budget and the contemplation of a new business rate surtax on retailers. “This means that we are another year down the line where we are at a disadvantage compared with our English counterparts,” she stated. “Business might be doing well for many – but rates and bills are skyrocketing for those who choose to trade on the high street.”
The Barrhead Travel president pointed to a discrepancy in spending patterns: the Office for National Statistics (ONS) continues to report a decline in retail spending, yet travel expenditure bucks this trend. Dobson suggested that the answer to rejuvenating high streets lies in providing robust packages that stimulate the retail travel sector’s growth and sustainability.
Dobson also addressed the critical issue of investment in human capital, particularly apprenticeships. She expressed disappointment over the lack of available funding for Scottish travel apprenticeships, with the courses on the verge of extinction. To exacerbate the situation, the Flexible Workforce Development Fund has been discontinued due to budgetary reductions, further diminishing resources for travel businesses.
Another focal point of Dobson’s address was the necessity for improved airline connectivity in Scotland.
With services to the United States and Middle East still below pre-Covid levels, she argued that this limits consumer choice and accessibility. Dobson clarified that while direct connections to every destination are impractical, adequate regional flights to key locations are essential for the tourism and travel industry’s prosperity in Scotland.
Jacqueline Dobson’s address serves as a clarion call for political engagement to foster economic stability and growth.
By addressing these pressing issues, the SPAA hopes to drive policy changes that will revitalise not just the high street, but also the broader travel and tourism industries in Scotland.
