Advantage boss named 'primary voice for outbound' on govt council

Alongside Lo Bue-Said’s new advisory role, the council, which is a collaboration between government and tourism leaders, has also updated its terms of reference to include outbound or the first time.

Lo Bue-Said said the opportunity presented her with an important chance to “leverage the voice” of the outbound industry “in driving fiscal prosperity”, as well as optimising post-Brexit opportunities and aligning the industry’s objectives with government.

“In 2019, the UK outbound travel sector contributed £6.9bn to the UK’s tax revenue. With the industry due to grow by 15% by 2027, compared with 2019 levels, the industry contributes a significant economic and social sector in its own right and plays a vital role in the ecosystem working with airlines, airports and getting travellers on planes, through airports and across borders,” she said.

“Having greater collaboration with the other members on the TIC board from all other sectors from airlines to hospitality and domestic tourism, will also help to improve wider cross-industry collaboration, which remains a critical component as we move forward.”

The TIC is co-chaired by Julia Lopez, the recently appointed minister for media, tourism and creative industries, and Karin Sheppard, managing director for Europe at InterContinental Hotels Group.

Lopez said: “The visitor economy makes a huge economic, cultural, and social contribution to the UK… the Council is an important forum for government and industry to work together to support this vital sector as it recovers from the pandemic, weathers current global economic challenges, and builds back better as a more resilient, innovative, accessible and sustainable sector in the long term.”