Advantage Travel Partnership Chief Executive Julia Lo Bue-Said has joined the Government’s Tourism Industry Council (TIC) as ‘the primary voice for UK outbound travel’.

The travel sector has been represented on the Council in the past, but ‘outbound travel’ is now included in the terms of reference for the first time, following Julia’s appointment.

Julia said: “I am delighted to have been asked to become an advisor on the Government’s Tourist Industry Council Board, as the primary voice for UK outbound travel. 

“I am particularly looking forward to being an active member and further reinforcing to those on the Council the value and importance of the UK outbound travel, and how this sits alongside our domestic and visitor economy.

“My appointment is an important step forward for the industry as this is the first time that UK outbound travel has been explicitly included in the TIC’s terms of reference. 

“It therefore provides me with an opportunity to leverage the voice of UK outbound travel, highlight the role it plays in driving fiscal prosperity as well as how we optimise opportunities in a post Brexit environment and align our objectives with Government’s.”

Julia added: “In 2019, the UK outbound travel sector contributed £6.9 billion to the UK’s tax revenue.

“With the industry due to grow by 15% by 2027, compared with 2019 levels, the industry plays a vital role in the ecosystem working with airlines, airports and getting travellers on planes, through airports and across borders.”

Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries Julia Lopez said: “The Council is an important forum for Government and industry to work together to support this vital sector as it recovers from the pandemic.”