Scotland’s premier travel professionals gathered at the Kimpton Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday, September 4, for the 2026 Sparkle Awards. Hosted by the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), the event served as a high-profile celebration of the individuals who drive the nation’s leisure and business travel sectors.
Known as the only travel agent award scheme in the region where nominees are judged anonymously, the Sparkle Awards have become a vital fixture in the industry calendar. By removing bias from the selection process, the awards aim to spotlight genuine excellence in service, dedication, and expertise across a variety of roles, including front-line consultants, managers, and agency support staff.
This year’s ceremony saw several travel agencies emerge as major winners, with Stewart Travel and QA Travel both celebrating double successes. Stewart Travel’s Caitlyn Bale took home the award for Touring & Adventure Consultant of the Year, while her colleague, Diane McKee, was honored as Leisure Travel Manager of the Year. In the corporate travel space, QA Travel dominated the business categories; Deborah Clark was named Business Travel Team Leader of the Year, and Susan Main secured the title of Business Travel Consultant of the Year.
Barrhead Travel also enjoyed a strong showing, with Gemma Harbinson winning the prestigious Agency Support Award, and her teammate Julie Taylor receiving a high commendation in the Special Recognition category. The top prize for Special Recognition was awarded to Andy Stewart of ATPI, acknowledging his significant contributions to the field.
SPAA President Alan Glen praised the resilience and skill demonstrated by the winners, emphasizing the importance of recognizing talent at every stage of a career. “The Sparkle Awards are all about the people who make our industry what it is,” Glen stated. “From newcomers and rising stars at the beginning of their careers to hugely experienced professionals who have made an exceptional contribution over many years, the standard of entries was extremely high.”
The 2026 winners list reflected the breadth of the Scottish industry, ranging from luxury and cruise specialists to corporate account managers. Notable winners included Gill Steel of Murray Travel, who was crowned Leisure Consultant of the Year, and John Ferguson of Thorne Travel, who secured the Cruise Consultant of the Year title. In the emerging talent categories, Aimee Campbell of Love to Travel was named Newcomer of the Year, while Erin Daniels of Clyde Travel Management was recognized as the Rising Star of the Year.
As the evening concluded, the sentiment across the industry was one of optimism. By honoring those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the traveling public, the SPAA has reinforced its commitment to maintaining the high service standards that define Scotland’s travel sector. For those shortlisted and honored, the recognition serves as a testament to their enduring commitment to professional excellence.
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