TravelMole Time Traveller: BTA’s Lorraine BarnesBurton

Sunday, 24 Nov, 2011 0

This week's Time Traveller, sponsored by HarpWallen, is Lorraine BarnesBurton, managing director of the British Travel Awards.

What was your first job in travel?

Head of Reader Offers and Travel Promotions for the Evening Standard from 1991 – 1997. And, although First Choice became better known for it, my team privately reckoned that we coined the phrase Buy One Get One Free in our weekly travel promos.

What was the high point of your career?

Every year when consumer voting figures for the BTAs rise exponentially the whole team gets very excited – but when we managed to register The British Travel Awards brand and trademarks in Europe after months of legal wrangling and expense, I felt very proud.

What was the low point?

The internal politics and bureaucracy of working at the BBC in the late 80’s – I was too young to know how to “play the game” – it was a learning curve!

What's your biggest regret?

Nothing ground-breaking, but I wish I had kept a journal of all the places, cultures and countries I have experienced since working in travel. It would have been very useful material for that book I will write one day!

What would you be doing now if you weren't in travel?

I’d definitely be a high-flying barrister. Law was my “passion” before I started work – but I couldn’t afford to spend seven years waiting to qualify.

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Linsey McNeill

Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk

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