Advantage Travel Partnership’s CEO, Julia Lo Bue-Said, has expressed concerns about the growing impact of US policies, including Trump-era tariffs, on international travel. Speaking at the company’s annual conference in Malta, Lo Bue-Said warned that geopolitical tensions and shifting US policies could reshape global travel patterns. Despite these challenges, she emphasized the resilience of the UK travel industry and the ability of travel management companies (TMCs) to adapt.
Lo Bue-Said discussed how political and social shifts are reshaping global travel. Geopolitical changes, particularly in the US, are affecting markets and supply chains worldwide. While it is still early to predict the full effects, she cautioned that political sentiment could alter how people travel internationally. She highlighted the caution surrounding the ongoing impact of former President Trump’s tariffs, noting that the unpredictability of US policies adds to the uncertainty in the travel sector.
Despite the challenges, Lo Bue-Said remained optimistic about the future of TMCs, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She pointed out that these companies remain flexible and adaptable, focusing on cost control, traveler experience, and ensuring duty of care. Lo Bue-Said also discussed how the UK continues to be a major player in business travel. However, she raised concerns about the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in the UK, which could affect the country’s international competitiveness.
Lo Bue-Said emphasized that business travel remains essential. Although business travel has evolved, it hasn’t disappeared. Many travel management companies are expanding their portfolios, and corporations continue to see the value of working with SMEs. The sector is adept at finding new opportunities, even in a changing landscape.
Lo Bue-Said shared exciting news about Advantage’s financial growth. The company is set to announce “record-breaking” results in the coming weeks, thanks to its expanding presence in both business and leisure travel markets. She revealed that Advantage members generate over £17 billion in global sales annually, with £8 billion coming from UK members. A large portion of these sales, about 70%, is from business travel, with over £2.5 billion coming from leisure travel.
In the past 12 months, Advantage saw a £550 million increase in total transaction value (TTV), driven by new member additions and growth among existing TMCs. This reflects the ongoing demand for both corporate and leisure travel services.
Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Managing Director of Global Business Travel at Advantage, shared her perspective with BTN Europe, stating that corporate members are not currently experiencing a significant impact. She noted that things are stable at the moment, but it’s still too early to tell how long this will last. She also mentioned that the entertainment industry has recently been affected by US tariffs, adding another layer of uncertainty.
Mark Cuschieri, President of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), spoke about the recent sentiment surveys showing a decline in optimism for the travel industry. The surveys also indicated that both travel volume and spending are expected to decrease in the near future. He pointed out that business travel budgets have increased by 11-15% due to rising costs, which has put added pressure on companies to manage their travel expenses carefully.
At the conference, Advantage also revealed a refreshed brand identity and logo. Lo Bue-Said explained that this change was not just cosmetic. The new identity is a visual representation of the company’s commitment to staying ahead of industry shifts and empowering all stakeholders to thrive in an evolving landscape.
While geopolitical shifts and US tariffs have created uncertainty in the travel sector, Advantage remains confident in its ability to navigate these changes. The continued growth of the company and its members shows that adaptability and resilience are key to success in the current environment.
