SPA A TODAY
28 May 2017

Your weekly round-up of SPAA news - including the President's remarks, coming events and all the latest product and people news from our Associate Members ... be sure to scroll down!


From the President


Computer Chaos.....


No doubt you will all have heard of the massive disruption at Heathrow and across the globe caused by the IT systems crash at British Airways. It happened on Saturday, but the knock on effect means that it looks like it could be many days before things get back to normal.

It might seem incredible, but apparently their systems were knocked out because of a simple power failure. It's perhaps easy to be very critical of BA and the way that this problem seems to have been handled, but we haven't heard the whole story yet and if the past few weeks have shown us anything (with the NHS ransomware debacle) it is our total reliance on the complex computer and IT systems that we use every day to run our businesses and organisations. When they fail, it seems that we now have no way to operate manual back up systems and we are rendered totally and utterly useless, until systems or data are restored.

BA will not only have to pay the compensation to their clients and deal with all the flack, but more so, it's the damage to their pride and reputation that will hurt more in the longer term.

However, there are lessons here for everybody, it just goes to show that nobody can be complacent about their back up and system maintenance/protection procedures. They are essential and must be a top priority for everyone.


Alan Glen SPAA President
28 May 2017 


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EVENTS CALENDAR - 2017
Twitter #Hashtags
                           
     
     Thu 01 June Travel Quiz Final Glasgow Travel 2     #SPAAquizfinal                 
      
     Thu 29 June Summer in the City Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh     #SPAAsummerball                                 
      Thu 24 August Golf Day Lanark Golf Club     #SPAAgolf
                   
     Thu 07 September Autumn Seminar & Lunch Hilton Edinburgh Carlton     #SPAAlunch
     
     Thu 14 September STAR Exhibition Aberdeen  Douglas Hotel     #STARabz                              
     
     Thu 02 November Annual Travel AwardsDoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow     #SPAAawards                
     Tue 21 November STAR Exhibition Glasgow DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow     #STARgla                              
     Thu 07 December AGM & Christmas Lunch 29 Club Glasgow     #SPAAchristmas



NB for details visit  www.spaa.org or contact Janice Hogarth at jhogarth@spaa.org
all event details are subject to change



Associate focus



Programme now on sale!






... a few pictures from the Aberdeen Heat!
with thanks to Drew Stewart, Drew Stewart Associates






 


Associate salesbytes

Airlines & airports


Operators & other Associates

Jet2holidays  Spotlight on Majorca
JTA Needacruise  Holland America special
Funway  Offer of the week
Great Railway Journeys  Worldwide wonders
Newmarket Holidays  European coach holidays
The VISA Team  Weekly newsletter
TravelCube  Summer holiday offers

Cruise lines & ferry companies

Crystal Cruises  2017 Northwest Passage cruise

Karen Cameron
P&O Cruises
Oceana - is our fly-cruise option direct from Glasgow and I thought it would be good for you to get to know what she is all about.
She sails every Thursday from Malta in the summer season
7 or 14 night durations
... See more


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Associate focus


Just a wee reminder - to celebrate  Beachcomber's 65th Anniversary we're having a  Beach Sale!

Book any Beachcomber Tours holiday between 22 May and 12 June 2017 and your clients will receive 5% off the total cost of their holiday!

Travel can be at any time but must include a minimum of 7 nights + international
flights!



 Our Reservations Team are ready for your bookings on 01483 445 610!



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 SPAA Voice of Travel

Gemma Carpenter to 
Glasgow Airport
Thanks to everyone who entered our travel trade competition, this year we had over 1,000 entries and I am delighted to announce the winners were...
Delta Air Lines: Neil Longwell from Flight Centre
Thomas Cook: Elaine Downs from Stewart Travel 
Air Transat: Julie McCallum from Fraser Travel 
Emirates: Fiona McGinley from Clyde Travel 
Air France: Elaine Eadie from Kenneth Macleod Travel 
United Airlines: John Dougan from Trailfinders
Icelandair: Judith Eardley from Kenneth Macleod Travel 
Virgin: Alison Cree from Scotia Travel 
Ryanair: Laura Gaston Barrhead Travel 
Balkan Holidays: David Anton from Largs Travel Co
Air Canada Rouge: Lynsey Cuthbertson from Travel2
Keep an eye out for other competitions and incentives!!
Click on the picture below and scroll to 19 May for the full gallery!!
Wendy Cameron
SuperBreak
Have you all seen our exciting new branded website?
If not - make sure you take a look on here > www.superbreak.com/TravelAgent/
Look how fresh the 'My Account' section looks ready for all you guys to use!  ��

If you have any feedback good, bad or anything you would like to see on the my account section let us know by emailing sales@superbreak.com and we can try and help where possible!
Mandy Burrie
Celebrity Cruises
*****NEWS FLASH*****
Check out this AMAZING offer for some winter sunshine, JUST REDUCED!!! 
Share Away Everyone! 
#quotecelebrity




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DL and VS logo
Small Edi Logo Fred Olsen logo

SPAA Great Gatsby Charity Summer in the City Event 2017  

                       
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    Thursday 29th June at the Balmoral Hotel - Edinburgh         
         
        
There could not be a better time for you to relax and enjoy yourself than at the ever popular Charity Summer in the City Event.

The Balmoral Hotel is such a great venue that we decided to create a Great Gatbsy theme for the evening. The Dress code is therefore to suit the occasion which would include a dinner suit/striped blazer or similar for the men and flapper type outfit for the ladies

There will be prizes for the best dressed lady and gentleman   

The event is generously being sponsored this year by our headline sponsors Fred. Olsen Cruises, Delta Air Lines & Virgin Atlantic and Edinburgh Airport.

The evening will start at 1830 with a pre dinner drinks reception courtesy of Travelport and dancing and entertainment thanks to Classic Collection Holidays. 

There will be a charity raffle in aid of Mary's Meals with great star prizes of tickets for Transatlantic flights and a 5 night cruise

Book Your places now by contacting jhogarth@spaa.org
         

£125 + VAT for Non Associates
£95 + VAT for Members and Associates