Business travel sector reports growth

Monday, 29 Jan, 2013 0

UK travel management companies have reported a 4% year-on-year rise in transactions for 2012.

The GTMC, which represents the UK’s leading TMCs, published its final quarter transaction survey of 2012 showing a 4% rise for the three months to October to December.

For the full year, hotel sales rose 3% on 2011, rail saw a 9% jump and car hire increased 9%.

Air sales were static for the October to December period but managed a 2012 2% increase over 2011 sales.

Other services, such as consultancy services, ferries, visas, currency exchange and meet and greet, recorded a massive 17% decrease year on year.

GTMC chief executive Paul Wait said: "The GTMC 2012 year end transaction figures are very heartening, business travel is still buoyant and deals are being done. Similar to the commentary coming out of the City regarding the strength and growth of share prices, suggesting growing business confidence, the GTMC survey proves that despite the economic performance to date air travel transactions have remained at a constant level.

"I have maintained a position that business travel should be regarded as an investment and not a cost and that it is vital to a successful company performance. The Coalition Government in its mid-term review has stated that business growth is one of its key objectives and therefore it is essential that UK companies increase their investment in business travel to achieve this goal."

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.

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