SPAA Annual Dinner 2025: President criticises Holyrood for lack of retail su


President backs SAF facility at Grangemouth


Scotland’s Grangemouth oil refinery should be transformed into a production site for sustainable aviation fuel, Jacqueline Dobson said. Refinery company


Petroineos plans to shut down the facility in the summer, with 400 workers set to lose their jobs. Dobson welcomed the UK


government’s announcement that a further £200 million would be invested in identifying future uses for the plant, but outlined her backing for a SAF facility. “Transitioning


Grangemouth to a SAF production site could put Scotland on the world stage as SAF producers – not to mention supporting hundreds of jobs,” she told guests at the SPAA dinner. She added: “Scotland


has time and time again demonstrated its capabilities in the sustainability arena – with our airlines, cruise lines, operators and airports leading the charge for making real change when it comes to native carbon reductions. “But we are missing out


on a huge opportunity to be world-class leaders.” In addition to the latest


UK government funding, the Scottish government has also pledged a further £25 million. Both governments were already working together on future options for the refinery site and had previously invested £100 million.


SPAA slams government for ‘betraying high streets’


S


cottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) president Jacqueline Dobson said it was


“beyond disappointing” that high street agencies in Scotland would continue to miss out on business rates support in the coming financial year. Dobson criticised the Scottish


government’s decision to exclude the travel sector from the 40% rates relief offered to eligible hospitality businesses. Arguing travel’s exclusion was


“baffling”, she said: “We shoulder the same costs, the same challenges and operate under similar conditions, but for a reason yet to be disclosed, we remain ineligible for support.” She added: “Let me be clear:


the refusal to pass on these savings ultimately betrays our Scottish high streets.” Citing a report by the Centre for


Retail Research, she said the UK lost about 37 retail shops a day last year. English retailers argued that the


reduction in their rates relief from 75% to 40% was a factor in the trend, Dobson said. “If that is the reaction of those


receiving some relief, can you imagine the impact that another year of zero relief will have on Scottish high streets?” she added. Turning to the workforce, she


urged more public investment in apprenticeships and training.


Jacqueline Dobson


“Defunded courses, a levy system


that is completely unfit for purpose and an ongoing skills shortage are undermining the principle that young people are essential for future business success,” she said. On air connectivity, she


welcomed the growing number of direct services from Scotland, but argued there were further opportunities to fulfil demand. Overall, however, she described


the outlook for the Scottish travel industry this year as “positive”. “Growing revenue and profit


means that we are increasing our already impressive economic influence as well as investing our money into infrastructure and jobs that directly support local communities,” she added. Encouraging suppliers to step up


efforts to point customers towards agents, she said: “Some partners do this really well, but there’s room for many more to signal their confidence in agents by including recommendations in their marketing.”


Clia continues to make case against a cruise levy Part of our


Clia UK and Ireland managing director Andy Harmer described cruise tourism as a “force for good” while confirming talks are ongoing about proposed levies in Scotland. The Scottish government has


opened a consultation seeking views on giving local authorities the power to create a cruise ship tax in their area. Harmer said: “Part of our


conversation with the Scottish government over the past eight months has been about the benefits


12 6 MARCH 2025


conversation has been about the challenges that may happen if the cruise levy is imposed


that cruise tourism brings and the challenges that may happen if the cruise levy is imposed. “We look forward to continuing those conversations with the


Scottish government over the next year or so to create cruise tourism in Scotland that benefits everyone.” He added: “Scotland is a


great place for selling cruise. But Scotland also benefits from cruise because it is a destination in itself and it’s been hugely successful.” Harmer said a third of ocean


ships visit a Scottish port each year. About a million people step ashore each year and each visit contributes about £100,000 to the local community.


travelweekly.co.uk


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