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Munro to leave Barrhead Travel after 28 years


Ben Ireland ben.ireland@travelweekly.co.uk


Barrhead Travel president Sharon Munro is to leave the business after 28 years.


She is vacating the role “for personal reasons” and is leaving the travel industry, Barrhead said. Munro will be succeeded as


president by managing director Jacqueline Dobson – described by Munro as her “natural successor” – from January 1. The Scotland-headquartered agency chain, which has more than


70 shops and last month revealed plans to open a further 25 stores by 2023, was acquired by US travel giant Travel Leaders in March, after which Munro’s role changed from chief executive to president. The departure of founder Bill


Munro – Sharon Munro’s father – as confired in oeer Sharon Munro said: “The decision to leave has been one of the hardest I have ever had to make. “My career has permitted me to


cross paths with some incredible people – not just within Barrhead Travel but across the entire travel industry. After announcing my


departure, I have taken numerous calls and messages from people I have met over the years and I am truly overwhelmed by their support and best wishes.” She added: “For purely personal


reasons I have decided the time is right to leave and I am handing over the reins to my extremely capable friend and colleague Jacqueline Dobson. “Jacqueline is the natural successor and I know that the company, staff and customers will be in safe hands.”


5 STORIES HOT Sharon Munro (left)


and ‘natural successor’ Jacqueline Dobson


Dobson, who has worked at


Barrhead for 18 years, said: “It is an exciting time to be taking over the helm. There is a sense of energy and momentum.” Dobson said Travel Leaders


Group’s investment gives Barrhead the “resources and commercial scale” to “improve our position in the ever-changing UK travel and tourism marketplace”. Ninan Chacko, chief executive


of Travel Leaders Group, thanked Munro for her “leadership, vision and dedication” to Barrhead.


5 Amsterdam tax angers cruise lines


Harry Kemble harry.kemble@travelweekly.co.uk


A new daily €8 tax for cruise passengers in Amsterdam has been compared to “blaming a bystander” for a problem not of their making by Clia’s chairman.


From January 1, passengers visiting the city mid-cruise with river or ocean lines will be taxed for each day they spend in the Dutch capital, but those embarking or disembarking will avoid the levy. Clia criticised the city’s decision,


saying cruise represents just 1% of sterdas tourist traffic Two lines have amended


itineraries to avoid the charge. MSC Cruises cancelled seven 2019 arrivals in Amsterdam, and 11 in 2020, after the tax as confired last ont, te Passenger Terminal Amsterdam said. MSC ships will now dock in Rotterdam and offer passengers trips into Amsterdam. Cruise & Maritime Voyages has


also now switched port stops from Amsterdam to Rotterdam for 37 calls in 2019 and 2020, affecting


6travelweekly.co.uk20 December 2018


“I would be angry if I was the cruise lines – the tax was given at such short notice”


more than 50,000 passengers. Speaking at a Travel Weekly Business Breakfast, Clia UK & Ireland chairman Tony Roberts said: “It’s the equivalent of saying ‘we have a problem’, then blaming a bystander. Amsterdam should have liaised with Clia, but it didn’t.” Roberts said Clia had a good


record of working with destinations, such as Dubrovnik, to address overtourism concerns. In a statement, Clia said it


was “disappointed” the City of Amsterdam implemented the tax within “just two months”. Passenger Terminal Amsterdam commercial director Dick de Graaff said: “I would be angry if I was the cruise lines – the tax was given at such short notice.” Vera Al, a spokeswoman for the city’s deputy mayor, said: “If you stay in a hotel, you pay a tax; if you spend a night on a ship, you should pay a tax.”


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