SPAA TODAY

From the President

WHEN GREED AND STUPIDITY TAKE OVER.....

Just when you think you have heard it all before and that nothing would surprise you any more, you read about a young lottery winner who is threatening to sue the National Lottery because it has 'ruined her life'. Unfortunately, I found myself shouting at the newspaper that I was reading - I just couldn't contain myself!

Now, I suppose that I'm approaching that grumpy old man stage - but honestly, the irony of that statement tipped me over the edge. It says everything about how society is starting to think and act now.  Whatever happens (good or bad), it's always someone else's fault - and if you can find a lawyer willing to take the case on a 'no win no fee' basis - there is a chance to make a few bob, then batter in!

I then turned the page and read about the human rights lawyer who was stuck off for bringing thousands of 'bogus' cases against British Iraqi war veterans, much of it funded by the British taxpayer via legal aid. This guy puts 100's of servicemen and their families through hell for years, he makes a fortune from his fees and we pay for it! Believe me - by the time I had read that, my blood was boiling.....

The problem is that we are not immune from this kind of behaviour in the Travel Trade. The proliferation of 'gastric illness' claims is something I've mentioned before in my previous columns. These claims appear to have come to the fore since the government took action on bogus whiplash claims that were plaguing the motor insurance industry. Meaning that the 'ambulance chasing' claims firms have switched their attentions to holiday sickness claims.

Now this is nothing like a PPI scenario, where banks made huge profits by mis-selling insurance products to the public. The 'victims' here are going to be the tour operators and travel agents trying to make an honest buck, who will find themselves on the wrong side of a 'claims culture' and a judicial system which has recently ruled that the tour operator is liable for 'in resort' food poisoning /food quality, regardless of who is actually to blame. (See Thomson vs Wood). Please also allow me to state that in my opinion, sometimes the law is an ass!

The thing is, it ruins it for everyone, the cost of holidays will go up as tour operators have to 'factor in' these substantial additional costs and the relatively small number of people who have genuine claims for food poisoning will be treated as if they are part of the conspiracy being driven by these relentless and greedy claims firms.

I wish I had some answers to the above - SPAA and ABTA have been highlighting the problem to the government and have even met with the Ministry of Justice who are going to investigate the issue. Which is a good start.

Meantime, with the other stuff - there is no hope!

I'm off to get my lottery ticket - won't change my life if I win though.....  Lol

Alan Glen SPAA President
14 February 2017


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EVENTS CALENDAR - 2017

     Thursday 02 March : 87th Annual SPAA Dinner - Crowne Plaza Glasgow     
     Thursday 30 March : STAR Exhibition Edinburgh - George Hotel
                              
     Thursday 20 April : Spring Seminar & Networking Lunch  - Blythswood Square, Glasgow 
    
     Tuesday 09 May : Travel Quiz Heat Glasgow - Blythswood Square Hotel                                       
     Tuesday 16 May : Travel Quiz Heat Edinburgh - Hilton Edinburgh Carlton                                  
     Tuesday 23 May : Travel Quiz Heat Aberdeen  - Douglas Hotel                                
     
     Thursday 01 June : Travel Quiz Final Glasgow  - Travel 2                  
     Thursday 29 June : Summer in the City - Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh                                  
     
     Thursday 24 August : Golf Day - Lanark Golf Club                    
     
     Thursday 07 September : Autumn Seminar & Networking Lunch - Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
     Thursday 14 September : STAR Exhibition Aberdeen  - Douglas Hotel                               
     
     Thursday 02 November : Annual Travel Awards  - DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow               
     Tuesday 21 November : STAR Exhibition Glasgow  - DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow                               
     Thursday 07 December : AGM & Christmas Lunch - 29 Club Glasgow


NB for details visit  www.spaa.org or contact Janice Hogarth at [email protected]
all event details are subject to change



Associate focus

David Sanderson
NCL
Great news we have extended our FREE spending money offer for Epic, Jade, Getaway, Spirit and Star sailing this Summer from Europe. Have a look at our excellent prices and see what new business you can bring in this week. Happy selling  ��




Associate focus


Norway's 
Northern Lights 2017/18
on sale 15 February 2017

 

Associate Salesbytes

Airports & airlines

Aberdeen Airport  Passenger numbers for January
Edinburgh Airport  A record 2016
Finnair  Enhanced connectivity to Russia
Flybe  Groups update / Passenger list

Glasgow Airport

Gemma Carpenter
Glasgow Airport
It's week five of our travel trade competition!!!
This week's amazing prize is two return economy flights to Paris with  Air France!
To get involved follow the below link and watch out for more exciting prizes to come! 
... See more
Operators & other Associates
Balkan Holidays  Last chance to ski this season  
Funway Take off sale
Glenton This week's update
Gold Medal GMag online
Jet2holidays 3 easy steps to selling more
Newmarket Holidays Newmarket News
The VISA Team Weekly newsletter

Cruise lines & ferry companies

C&MV  Sail from Dundee in 2017
Crystal River  Summer 2017 river yacht launch
RSSC  Host a sales event

Emerald Waterways
   
William Young
February 8 at 5:45pm
 
Hooray... today's the day! 
Emerald Waterways 2018 Preview is now on sale ������ 
See the brochure here: https://www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk/special-offers/2018-river-cruise-offers



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World's longest nonstop flight lands in AKL




A few words from Didier Drogba






@ SPAA voice of travel (click on image to visit Facebook post)

Danny Giles

Love is in the Air, along the Norwegian Coast anyway  ❤️


Karen Cameron

Check this deal out!!!

Allison Graham

Fred.'s Double Commission Offering to our lovely Travel Agent Friends onboard "Beautiful Boudicca" D1708 Ex. Belfast, 8th May'17, 8 nights, cruising the fantastic "Lochs of Scotland" - NO PASSPORT CRUISE!! From just £899pp, full details shown below....Book now and remember to ensure you use the promotional code "LOCH10" at the time of booking as no retros will be applied. Pricing and availability subject to terms and conditions. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LIKE & SHARE... 
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