Eurostar reports rise in business travellers as it expands routes
Business passengers on the Eurostar have risen by 6% this year as the rail operator looks to expand with new destinations.
In December, tickets will go on sale for Eurostar’s new all year-round service direct from London to Provence stopping at Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, which starts in May 2015.
It will be followed in 2016 by the launch of a direct service from London to the heart of Amsterdam with stops in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal.
Eurostar says growing economic confidence in the UK has seen stronger business travel bookings with an uplift in passengers booking the Business Premier class.
Overall passenger numbers are up by 3% year on year for 2014 and revenues are up by 2% to £211 million.
It added that sales revenues were hit by fluctuating exchange rates and that if they had remained constant, revenues would have increased by 5% year on year.
Eurostar says this marks ten consecutive years of growth in sales revenues and passenger numbers.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive, Eurostar, said: "With passenger numbers and sales revenues increasing year-on-year we are well placed for the next phase of growth. Our new direct services to Provence and Amsterdam will revolutionise travel to these destinations and mark the start of a new chapter for our business.
"Over the next two years our customers will see a complete transformation of our service as we upgrade and enhance every stage of the passenger journey."
Eurostar says in addition to investing in its new fleet, it is making significant investment in its stations, service and digital channels.
The operator celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 14.
Diane
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