Advantage Travel Partnership CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for her services to business and tourism.
Lo Bue-Said, who has led Advantage as CEO since April 2018 and has been with the consortium for 30 years, became a high-profile media spokesperson for the industry during the Covid Pandemic, regularly appearing across all mainstream UK print and broadcast media.
She is an active contributor to government roundtables and dedicates her time in actively working cross industry as well as on engagement strategies and government lobbying.
Believing passionately in the SME sector and that they are the lifeblood of business, since the pandemic she has established the UK Outbound Travel Lobbying Group with the aim of increasing the profile of the sector with government, MPs and policymakers.
Today The UK Outbound Lobbying Group collectively has a combined membership of 1,200 SMEs.
In 2022 she was presented with The Business Travel People Awards – Industry Contribution Award for her campaigning and leadership.
“I feel deeply honoured to receive this extraordinary recognition for services to business and tourism,” she said.
“This honour reflects not only my personal journey but the importance of our industry and its economic contribution, the exceptional people and talent at the heart of the industry, as well as the incredible support, collaboration, and inspiration I have received throughout my career.
“The UK Outbound Travel industry stands as a genuine economic powerhouse, contributing significantly to our nation’s prosperity and global reputation.
“Travel agents and travel management companies continue to reinvent themselves as trusted advisors, skilled problem-solvers and dedicated professionals who add tremendous value not only to our economy but to the lives of millions of travellers.
“Receiving this recognition during my 30th year with Advantage makes this honour even more meaningful. I remain deeply committed to continuing the vital work of elevating our industry’s profile and ensuring that travel professionals receive the recognition they so richly deserve.”
