New Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association president Mike Tibbert has been sworn-in by the trade body.
Tibbert, general manager, Europe, at Global Marine Travel (GMT), replaces outgoing president Joanne Dooey, owner of Love To Travel, who has completed her two years in the role.
He steps up from the vice-presidency which he has held for the last two years, including through the Covid-19 crisis and the SPAA’s centenary celebrations, which culminated in an awards ceremony in December. In that time he served as convener of the organisation’s air committee.
Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson replaces Tibbert in the role of vice president.
Past president Sandy MacPherson was made an honorary member of the organisation in recognition of more than 40 years’ service to the SPAA in a variety of roles.
Tibbert said: “I am proud and humbled to accept the presidency of the world’s oldest travel association and I shall wear the chain of office with pride and commit to driving forward the aims of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association to the best of my ability.
“The last two years or so have no doubt been the most traumatic for the travel industry and we do not go forward wearing blinkers nor being unaware of hurdles or curve balls that will no doubt be sent our way.
“But we will stand together and go forward with our mutual aims balanced for the entire industry with the hope that 2022 will be the start of the renaissance for travel globally.”
Dooey, who was presented ‘Outstanding Commitment to the Scottish Travel Industry’ gong at the SPAA’s awards in December, added: “The SPAA is the voice of travel in Scotland and during the unprecedented times we have been living through the SPAA council members, who are volunteers in these roles, have all worked tirelessly to be there for friends and colleagues giving their time freely to the association and I would like to thank them all for that.
“The support I have had from Mike Tibbert in his role as vice president has been outstanding and I know, without doubt, that Mike will carry on maintaining the values of the association and continuing the fight to make sure our voice is heard.
“It’s been an honour, a privilege and quite an experience; one that I will never forget and which I will probably be talking about for years to come.”
The SPAA, founded in 1921, currently has 120 member companies and 92 associate members across the travel and transport industry.