SPAA honours agents with Sparkle Awards
Association pays tribute to ‘wonderful’ staff
ShanonG
The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) has honoured the work and contributions of ‘wonderful’ frontline agency staff with its Sparkle Awards.
Agents from across Scotland gathered on Thursday (September 8) in Surgeons’ Hall in Edinburgh for the awards ceremony.
Ten categories of three shortlisted individuals were judged, with anonymous submissions by a panel of sponsors. The full list of winners is:
• Business Travel Consultant of the Year – Sheila Anderson – Clyde Travel Management
• Agency Support Award – Jade Semple – Barrhead Travel
• Touring and Adventure Consultant of the Year – Fiona Bibby – The Travel Architect
• Newcomer of the Year Award – Jennifer McCartney – Barrhead Travel – Glasgow
• Leisure Consultant of the year – Craig Barton – Barrhead Travel – Aberdeen
• Operations Manager of the Year – Leisure Travel – Richard Sturgeon – Jimmy Martin Travel
• Operations Manager of the Year – Corporate Travel – Justine Hickman – Global Marine Travel
• Corporate Account Manager of the Year – Sarah Hughes – Clyde Travel Management
• Cruise Consultant Role of the year – Stacey Kenned- The Cruise Specialists
• Rising Star of the Year – Lloyd Ingram – Travelbank Holidays
Mike Tibbert, president of the SPAAMike Tibbert, president of the SPAA, said: “The SPAA has talked a lot about the impact on the travel sector since 2020, but it’s really important to remember the wonderful travel agency industry staff who lived this at the front line.
“I am delighted to present the Sparkle Awards to such a wonderful line up of worthy Sparkle Award winners today, and also to take the time to pay tribute to the efforts of every single travel professional who helps us all get to the point of recovery for our sector.
“Make no mistake about it, we will thrive again.”
The Sparkle Awards were designed to recognise the contribution of travel agency staff in Scotland in the business and leisure sectors, recognising a variety of agency roles.
Supervisors or managers nominated their team members for recognition based on customer feedback, from customer feedback, implementation of new ideas that have a direct impact on company revenue or ideas that benefit colleagues, charity work and actions over and above the call of duty.
Founded in 1921, the SPAA has 120 member companies and 92 associate members across the travel and transport industry.
