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Scottish travel agents to receive multi-million pound government support package
Travel agents in Scotland are to receive £5 million from the government as part of a £185m support package for businesses.
Tour operators and coach companies will receive almost £6m and visitor attractions will get £1.5m.
In addition, there will be one-off payments to hospitality businesses in January to help them deal with the traditional post-Christmas dip in demand. These will be of £2,000 or £3,000, depending on rateable value.
News of financial support for the travel industry north of the border has prompted calls for similar support for agents and operators in the rest of the UK.
"Over the course of this year, the whole travel industry has been crying out for sector-specific support and we’ve made numerous attempts to request a similar package from Westminster, but so far these requests have been ignored," said Advantage CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said. "We’re hopeful that this stance from the Scottish government will pave the way, and England and the other devolved nations will follow suit."
An ABTA spokesperson said: "It’s imperative that the Westminster Government, and other Devolved Administrations, set up similar schemes to recognise the unique circumstances that travel businesses have faced throughout the crisis."
The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association welcomed the support for agents. President Joanne Dooey said: "This is hugely welcome news for travel agents who have been forced to remain open as businesses since March to help their clients with cancellations and refunds, but who have had nothing to sell and no one to sell to.
"We’re delighted that months of lobbying by our members, including our protest outside Holyrood in November, has been successful and that the Scottish Government has listened to us, and recognised the dire position which many travel agents have found themselves in, and has acted upon our detailed proposals.
"We look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government on a delivery mechanism for this cash support to agents across Scotland."
The announcement was made today in the Scottish Parliamentary budget update by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes as part of a multi-million support package for Scottish business.
More details are expected in the coming days.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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