Business travel 'holding up well'

Business travel is "holding up relatively well", according to the latest survey of bookings by the Guild of Travel Management Companies.

Its second quarterly 2012 transaction survey show that sales are ahead of last year, despite reports to the contrary.

This was achieved even though there were five bank holidays in the period, more than usual, because of the Jubilee celebrations.

While hotel sales were static, transactions for air, rail, car hire and ancillary services were up when compared with the same quarter in 2011.

Rail sales have fallen back slightly from Q1 but still remain well ahead of 2011 with a very healthy 14% growth.

Car hire continues to perform well, though the 6% increase is smaller than the strong growth in the last few quarters.

Air travel is down on Q1 2012 but up 2% when compared to Q2 2011 and is also up to 2% on the running year comparison.

Sales of other services, which include consultancy services, ferries, visas, currency exchange and meet and greet, are 10% ahead of the same quarter in 2011.

GTMC chief executive Ann Godfrey said: "Once again the business conducted by GTMC members seems to be slightly better than that being reported elsewhere. Whilst not spectacular these figures show that, with caution, things are better than may have been expected."'¨

Monday, July 30, 2012