Advantage Travel Partnership says members’ global turnover is set to pass £17 billion once again this year, with the UK surpassing £9bn.
The figures were announced on Friday at Advantage’s Big Celebration Lunch in London. It will be the second time the group has reached turnover of £17bn, after hitting the milestone in 2024. An Advantage spokesperson said gross sales are ahead of last year.
CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said used the event to reveal more details at the Advantage Conference 2026, which will take place in Madrid in May. She announced the conference theme is ‘Powered by People’.
“Our conference will bring together industry leaders, innovators and colleagues to exchange insights, strategies, and stories, that will inspire fresh perspectives on the future of travel with human stories, and a people centric lens in a digitally enabled world,” Julia said.
Guests at the lunch also heard lobbying efforts through the UK Outbound Travel Group, which Julia founded, has encouraged nearly 100 MPs to visit agencies in their constituencies.
“That’s 100 MPs who are building an understanding of their local travel business – which is key to supporting our aim of amplifying the profile of our sector and growing the understanding of the vital role we play in the UK economy,” Julia added.
Julia also handed out the following awards at the event.
Member Innovator of the Year: Abbie Harmison, Dawson and Sanderson
Innovation Award – Leisure Travel: Celebrity Cruises
Innovation Award – Business Travel: Travelogix
Tour Operator of the Year: Gold Medal; Highly commended: easyJet Holidays
Airline of the Year: British Airways
Accommodation Partner of the Year: Expedia TAAP
Technology Partner of the Year: Vertical Systems
Ancillary Partner of the Year: Holiday Extras
Most Engaged Latitude Member: Telina Lawrence, The Travel Professionals
Latitude Partner of the Year: Princess Cruises; Highly commended: AmaWaterways
Trade Support Team of the Year: TUI; Highly commended: Jet2 holidays
Destination Partner of the Year: Visit Malta
Best Marketing Initiative or Campaign: Global Travel Management
Cork Bays & Fisher Partner of the Year: Travel & General
Most Engaged Advantage Global Network Partner: Kim Renouf, Continental Travel Canada
The Advantage Advocate of the Year: Dean Mitchell, ATPI
Travel as a Force for Good Champion: Scott Pawley, Global Travel Management
Emerging Talent Award: Emily Whitehouse, DGI Travel; Highly commended: Bonni Hughes – The Good Travel Agent
Talent Nurturer of the Year: Sunlounger Travel
Spotlight Award: Tony Mann, Idle Travel
Shining Star: Lindsay Miller, Inspire
