Scottish politicians and travel organisations have called on their government to implement measures to support high street agents as the sector recovers from the pandemic.
Their recommendations also include ways to tackle problems faced by agencies and others in the travel trade when recruiting new members of staff.
The calls come in the latest report from the Aviation Cross Party Group (Aviation CPG), called The Recovery of Sustainable Aviation, Travel & Tourism in Scotland.
It said: “Travel agencies not only form the backbone of high streets, but they are paramount to the success of Scotland’s outbound travel industry.
“Travel agents with retail premises suffered incredible losses during the pandemic, with recovery only starting during 2022.
“The cost-of-living crisis is now compounding the overhanging challenges caused by the pandemic and retail travel agents require relief and support.”
More: SPAA chief calls on Westminster and Holyrood to ‘work with us’
Benefits of new distribution capability ‘outweighed by inefficiencies’
The report said Scottish agents should have parity with their English and Welsh peers in terms of rates relief, which would “create further jobs and deliver greater economic activity”.
The report cited research showing that one in six retail units in Scotland are lying vacant, so it called on the Scottish government to look at ways to help businesses commit to long-term lets.
“Potential schemes to encourage retailers such as travel agents to take on premises should be considered to help revival,” said the report.
It highlighted the value of outbound holidaymakers, adding: “Although outbound travel is rarely seen as a benefit to the Scottish economy, a poll conducted by the SPAA showed that a single plane-load of passengers going on holiday contributed about £38,000 to the local economy in pre-holiday purchases.”
The report also showed how agents and operators struggled last year to recruit new members of staff and called for better funding of apprenticeships to woo more young people into the industry.
Furthermore, the report called for policies which support sustainable growth in aviation and the creation of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Scotland.
As well as eight MSPs, the Aviation CPG includes representatives from Scotland’s airports and the Airport Operators’ Association, airlines, Abta, the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), Barrhead Travel, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, outbound Scottish leisure tour operators, UKinbound and NATS.
Aviation CPG co-convenors Graham Simpson MSP and Paul McLennan MSP said: “Outbound and inbound travel are crucial enablers for the whole Scottish economy.
“Travel is only in the early stages of recovery post pandemic and through this report, we are seeking assurances and firm, funded policies which ensure that Scotland’s aviation sector is strengthened.
“Our international links, be they travel, trade, investment or education, are essential and aviation is vital to all these.”
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, said: “We were pleased to be able to make meaningful contributions to the Scottish CPG Report on the future of travel.
“What started as a group designed to engage with business during Covid transitioned into a multi-dimensional working group with voices from all areas of the travel industry.
“It feels like real progress, having a group that hears from the complete spectrum of travel businesses. It’s hugely important to recognise that tourism comprises of organisations, such as travel agencies, and to ensure that outbound travel in general is well-represented at government level.
“The report underlines key issues facing our industry. While some areas, such as recruitment, have vastly improved over the last few months, it is vital that these areas are kept under close observation by government. We will proactively work with government partners to support a positive and prosperous future for Scotland’s travel industry.”
Picture of Buchanan Street in Glasgow by photocritical/Shutterstock.com