GTMC figures show business travel downturn is worsening
The downturn in business travel has worsened, according to the latest figures from The Guild of Travel Management Companies.
First quarter 2009 transaction figures show a 6% overall reduction in activity, compared to the same period last year.
Air travel was the worst hit, with 17% fewer transactions than last year.
Up until the end of 2008 hotel bookings had remained strong, even growing by 4% in the last quarter, but the hotel sector is now also affected with transactions 8% down.
Car rental, which suffered badly last year, continues to be hit with Q1 figures down 7%.
The only sector to see an increase was rail, which remained strong with a 14% increase.
‘Others’, which includes travel insurance procurement, passport and visa ordering, airport taxi bookings, chauffer drive and airport parking, shows a massive 31% increase in Q1, indicative that TMCs are looking to offer more services to balance the reduction in air and hotel bookings.
“The GTMC transaction survey is an accurate snapshot of how UK business is faring in the recession,†said GTMC chief executive Philip Carlisle.
“This quarter’s continuing decline in air travel is worrying, but predictable, and the performance of the hotel sector underpins the obvious overall slow down in business.
“The continuing growth in rail travel year on year shows a change in business traveller behaviour which may well continue when the UK emerges from the recession.â€
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent