EMBARGOED Nov 13th: Huge regional growth for Eurostar
Eurostar has reported huge growth in traveller demand from the UK regions after its first year of operations at St Pancras International.
The rail operator says traveller numbers from regions north of London have increased by up to 150% in the year since Eurostar move to the new terminal for its new high-speed line.
From November 14 2007to November 2 2008, passenger numbers grew as follows:
East Midlands: 100%: including Derbyshire 154%, Nottinghamshire 112%, Leicestershire 111%
Yorkshire: South Yorks 118%, East Yorks 100%, North Yorks 100%, West Yorks 68%
North East: 103%; including Tyne & Wear 114%, Co Durham 103%, Newcastle 106%, Teesside 105%
West Midlands: 53%; including Coventry 52% and Birmingham 49%
Greater Manchester: 54%; including Stockport 62% and Oldham 56%
Scotland: 38%; including Edinburgh 38%, Glasgow 29% and Aberdeen 41%
In the first nine months of 2008, Eurostar carried a total of 7 million travellers, up 13.9% on last year, with ticket sales up 17.2% to £521.1 million.
However, passenger numbers have been impacted following a fire in the Channel tunnel on September 11.
Since October 1, Eurostar has only been able to operate an amended timetable due to reduced Channel tunnel capacity provided.
This represents 93% of Eurostar capacity and is expected to continue in force until after Eurotunnel restores full tunnel capacity next spring.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026