Positive mood tempered by sad news

It was fantastic to see such upbeat reports emerging from last week’s Advantage Travel Partnership conference, with a clear sense of positivity among members.

It was also lovely to see such a touching tribute paid to chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said, who was surprised on stage by colleagues and family as she marked 30 years of service.

Julia has become an ever-more-prominent advocate for travel agents since the dark days of the pandemic, and Advantage members’ desire to showcase their alignment with the consortium by embracing its new branding is testament to her efforts.

There was more positive news this week as the long-awaited UK-EU Summit produced a bonus with news that e-gates on the continent could be opened up to improve border wait times.

However, there is still a lack of clarity over how and when travellers will reap the benefits, with a rollout subject to negotiations with member states and tied into the start of the bloc’s new entry system this October at the earliest. 

In contrast to the positive headlines over the past week, the mood has been tempered by the latest developments around the future of Baldwins Travel.

I spent the formative years of my life in Kent and still call it home, so Baldwins has been a constant presence for most of my life.

As always in these circumstances, my thoughts are with the staff who have represented the business so well for so many years.

I hope this sad story can yet have a positive end for them all.

This article first appeared int he May 22 edition of Travel Weekly.