Mike Tibbert has taken up the position of president of The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), the professional body for travel agents and the travel sector in Scotland. Mike takes the reins at the organisation from outgoing president Joanne Dooey, who has served her two years in the role during the most turbulent time for the Scottish travel sector in the SPAA’s 100-year history.
Mike Tibbert, a specialist in the marine and offshore market, has worked in the travel industry since the 1990s, and is the general manager, Europe, at Global Marine Travel (GMT). He steps into the role of president following a two-year period as vice president of the SPAA and he has served as convener of the organisation’s air committee too. Mike is also a past director of the Scottish Shipping Benevolent Association.
As he accepted the presidency Mr Tibbert said,
“I am proud and humbled to accept the presidency of the world’s oldest travel association and I shall wear the chain of office with pride and commit to driving forward the aims of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association to the best of my ability.
“The last two years or so have no doubt been the most traumatic for the travel industry and we do not go forward wearing blinkers nor being unaware of hurdles or curve balls that will no doubt be sent our way.
“But we will stand together and go forward with our mutual aims balanced for the entire industry with the hope that 2022 will be the start of the renaissance for travel globally.”
Outgoing president Joanne Dooey, who was presented with the award for ‘Outstanding Commitment to the Scottish Travel Industry’ at the SPAA annual awards in December, said,
“The SPAA is the voice of travel in Scotland and during the unprecedented times we have been living through the SPAA council members, who are volunteers in these roles, have all worked tirelessly to be there for friends and colleagues giving their time freely to the association and I would like to thank them all for that.
“The support I have had from Mike Tibbert in his role as vice president has been outstanding and I know, without doubt, that Mike will carry on maintaining the values of the Association and continuing the fight to make sure our voice is heard.
“It’s been an honour, a privilege and quite an experience; one that I will never forget and which I will probably be talking about for years to come.”
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, who was recently awarded the title of Inspirational Woman of the Year at the 2021 Business Women Scotland Awards ceremony, takes up the role of vice president of the SPAA.
Long standing member of the SPAA and past president Sandy MacPherson was made an honorary member of the organisation in recognition of more than 40 years’ service to the SPAA in a variety of roles.
The SPAA, founded in 1921 celebrated its centenary in 2021 and is the world’s oldest organisation representing travel agents. It currently has 120 member companies, all their associated agencies across Scotland including many home workers, and 92 associate members across the travel and transport industry. www.spaa.org.
