Eurostar adds more trains due to bumper summer
A sharp rise in international visitors to Europe has boosted Eurostar's sales during the first half of this year during which it saw revenues rise by 4% to £421m.
Overall, passenger numbers were up by 3% to 4.7m. This included a 21% increase in international customers, mainly from the US, which accounted for over half a million passengers.
The cross-Channel rail operator said that excluding the positive impact of the ash cloud disruption on the 2010 figures, sales revenues in the first six months of 2011 were in fact up by 12% over last year.
Leisure sales have seen particularly strong growth with revenues up 8% and passenger volumes up 4%.
The operator said demand for bookings over the summer was high. Over 950,000 passengers are expected to travel on Eurostar in July alone, making this a bumper summer for the company.
As a result, over 20 extra services have been scheduled to run over the summer.
Chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: "Despite the pressures on household budgets, consumers are choosing to prioritise leisure travel over other discretionary purchases.
"In this difficult economic climate, we are finding that customers attach even greater value to their leisure time and are protecting short breaks and time away with family and friends."
The number of passengers travelling by train to London is expected to continue to grow, said Petrovic, due to the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the knock-on effect of this year's royal wedding.
"London is highly attractive and remains a hot destination for international visitors,” he said.
By Linsey McNeill
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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