In his final message of the year, SPAA President Kevin Thom has expressed his view that 'flexibility and resilience' will lead the Scottish travel sector through a successful 2013.
The President said, "At the very end of a year of often frustrating news from Government, but positive product and route development news from airports, airlines and operators, it's heartening to note the announcement this week from Thomas Cook of its plans to level the pricing playing field once and for all. As always, the detail will tell the story - but the SPAA certainly endorses and supports the principle and we encourage our other commercial partners to follow suit.
We're also delighted to see a well-known brand - albeit in a new guise - return to Scotland next year, following the announcement by Air Canada of its new Air Canada Rouge service between Edinburgh and Toronto. It would be great to think that this may just be the start of something bigger, but for now we must concentrate on giving strong support to AC's new service - and indeed all the new routes and services announced by airlines in recent months."
Commenting on 2012, he said, "From 'flight plus' to 'commission minus'; from bidding well-respected bmi farewell to welcoming bmi Regional and Virgin Atlantic, and from the 82nd Annual SPAA Dinner in February to STAR in late November it's been a another full-on year. But it's been a year in which the Scottish travel community has derived much positive news - on product and route development, and on a more measured and mature approach to pricing and discounting.
Above all, we in the SPAA - Council, Members and Associates alike - have amply demonstrated what are possibly our two most important strengths - flexibility and resilience, which along with our many other strengths will undoubtedly carry us through a successful 2013! So, let's have NO Rab C Nesbit-style 'Seasonal Greet'. To all of us, our families, friends and colleagues - best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year!"
MTB 22/12/2012
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