NEWS SPECIAL REPORT


‘Travel is a tough gig’


The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association hosted 350 guests at its annual dinner last week. Andrew McQuarrie reports from the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow


S


cottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) president Alan Glen claimed politicians fail to


take travel businesses seriously, arguing the sector is forced to “fight” every time it raises an issue. He told guests at the association’s


96th annual dinner that high street retailers, including travel agencies, are often “disadvantaged” compared with large corporations. He added: “Politicians have


to realise they can’t keep taking from UK businesses, and the travel business in particular – we already operate on very thin margins and it’s already a tough gig.” Glen, owner of South Lanarkshire


agency Glen Travel, said many high street retailers are feeling “squeezed” by a combination of employers’ national insurance contributions, corporation tax, the rising minimum


Our sector has to fight every time


we have issues – nobody in government seems interested


wage for young people, utility bills and business rate re-evaluations. “Is it any wonder the high street


is struggling?” he asked, describing the scale of national insurance contributions and corporation tax as “plain wrong”. “What if that money were available


to your company to employ more people, or to invest in your technology or infrastructure?” he said. He contrasted the difficulties


faced by high street agencies with the ability of major corporations to “suck billions of pounds’ worth of business out of the UK” before


paying corporation tax “at the lowest level in Ireland”. “It’s just not a level playing field in


the UK at the moment. We’re being disadvantaged because we’re the easier target,” he said. He called the travel industry “an


important employer” but said it does not get taken seriously by politicians. “We have to fight every time we


have issues – nobody in government seems interested in our problems and issues,” he added. He went on to criticise the


•Pictured are, from left: Donald Martin, master of ceremonies; Tanya


Competition and Markets Authority for applying its recent pricing guidance to travel agents, arguing: “Why fix a problem that didn’t exist?”


Cooper, SPAA vice-president; Luke Farajallah, guest speaker; Alan Glen, SPAA president; Gayle Gordon, dinner convener; Peter Shanks, guest speaker; and Tim Roulston, honorary SPAA member


Loganair chief issues warning over Scottish air tax


Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah warned about the potential impact of Scotland’s air departure tax, set to be introduced in April 2027. He said: “Higher taxes on aviation will discourage


airlines from operating in Scotland. It will reduce choices for visitors and ultimately limit the growth of local businesses that rely on inbound tourism.” He urged authorities to ensure Scotland’s


10 5 MARCH 2026


cities always “impress”, adding: “Every dirty street, every poorly maintained bus stop and every unlit alley tells visitors Scotland is not ready for them.” He also said the country’s income tax levels are


making it challenging to attract leading talent. Fellow speaker Peter Shanks, formerly of Silversea Cruises, said Holyrood politicians should be “very careful” when considering whether to introduce a cruise ship levy.


‘Agents will be safe players in world of AI’


The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could result in travel agents being “the safe pair of hands in the new Wild West”, Alan Glen said. The Glen Travel owner,


who studied computer science and electronics, said technology remains a subject close to his heart, adding that he recently attended an event on AI in travel technology. “AI hasn’t really filtered


down into the travel industry in a big way just yet, but it’s coming soon in one form or another,” he said. Major challenges include


identifying the difference between real and fake data, he said, as well as the question of regulating AI. He predicted the


world would soon become “seriously weird” but argued that agents’ adaptability would serve them well.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Paul Chappells


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