Advantage Travel Partnership CEO Recognised In King’s Honours List

CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, 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, recognising her services to Business and Tourism.

Julia (formal name, Giulia Maria Said) is one of the UK Travel Industry’s pre-eminent leaders having led Advantage Travel Partnership Group as CEO since April 2018. During this time, she has transformed the business with vigour and energy to it becoming the UK’s leading community of independent travel businesses, operating in both the leisure and global business travel sectors, as well as a leading voice of the UK travel industry.

Over the course of the Covid Pandemic and since, Julia has become a high-profile media spokesperson for the industry, 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. Post pandemic Julia 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 1200 SMEs.

As one of the UK Travel Industry’s most vocal and high-profile leaders, Julia has been recognised with many industry awards including the honorary award of Doctor of Letters of the University of West London (UWL) in recognition of her professional profile and experience that makes her a role model for the University’s students (2022) and, The Business Travel People Awards 2022 – Industry Contribution Award. In 2022 Julia was also presented with the Northern Ireland Travel Special Achievement Award – the first time a special achievement award has been presented to someone outside of Northern Ireland.

On receiving the award, Julia said: "I feel deeply honoured to receive this extraordinary recognition for services to Business and Tourism. 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.”