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Only “fragile†UK business travel recovery
Sunday, 25 Feb, 2010
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Business travel recovery remains “fragile” according to a new study.
The Guild of Travel Management Companies quarterly transaction survey for the quarter to the end of December, revealed that several areas of business travel, which have recorded a downward trend for several previous quarters, have seen a slight improvement.
Aviation – the traditional bell weather of UK business travel – showed a one per cent growth in transactions over the fourth quarter figures of the corresponding period in 2008.
When placed against the figures for the third quarter 2009, which showed a 15% negativity against the corresponding 2008, figures there are grounds for a positive outlook, according to the Guild.
But the GTMC advised caution about the strength of recovery in the aviation sector.
Hotel transactions also showed slight signs that recovery could be underway with transactions only two per cent down year on year. They were 13% down in the third quarter against the corresponding 2008 figures.
Rail travel, which has persistently out performed 2008, was up by 16%, underpinning the GTMC’s call for greater investment from the Government in high speed rail links.
The car hire sector continued to decline by eight per cent year on year.
Guild chief executive Anne Godfrey said: “The GTMC quarterly transaction survey has always been a telling gauge of how UK Plc is performing and clearly, while figures for aviation and hotel accommodation are starting to gain ground on previous quarter performances, they illustrate that the UK economy recovery is on – but very fragile.
“The next quarter results will be very telling indeed.”
by Phil Davies
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