| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 07/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 43 |
| Copyright: Other |
Product update by Matt Bond
Driving sales: Eurostar, which recently reported a 10% increase in bookings to 3.8m for the first part of the year, has fuelled interest in rail travelATOC reports rapid growth in demand for rail services
Operators capitalise on renewed interest in rail travel
DEMAND for rail travel is burgeoning according to the Association of Train Operating Companies, with UK rail travel forecast to rise by around 50% in the next 10 years.During that period business travel is forecast to rise 4% per year, commuter travel by 2% per year and leisure travel by 5% per year.
Eurostar recently reported a 10% increase in bookings to 3.8m for the first half of the year.
The £20m it has put aside for investments in refurbishing trains and terminals, particularly the Gare du Nord in Paris, will come into fruition over the next three years.
A new high-speed link currently being built and due for completion in 2003 will take 20 minutes off the journey time between London and Paris, and another high-speed line in Holland has helped to raise the profile of rail travel in Europe.
Rodney Maton, managing director of Holland Rail, which reported a 100% increase in business over last year said: “In the UK, the public perceive rail travel as dirty, expensive and not on time.
“On mainland Europe, it is on time, cheaper and much cleaner. It is a very relaxing way of seeing countries and everyone can enjoy it in comfort.
“Business travellers can also work happily as rail travel on mainland Europe is a lot more integrated, with trains running into the centre of most cities and bus terminals right outside stations,” he added.
Mundi Color is hoping to tap into the rail market by launching a service at the end of the year which will sell tailored packages.
This will give customers the choice of travelling to and from their destination by rail travel.
Sales and marketing manager Tony Maniscalco said: “There is a renaissance in rail travel because people are fed up with flight delays and cramped conditions. There is a big untapped market out there for those who want something a bit different.
“People just want a little bit of luxury where you can really enjoy the experience of travelling by train.”
Mundi Color reported a 20% increase year on year for its current rail travel package on board the Al Andalus Express in Spain.
Short-break specialist Kirker has reported a 50% increase in train passenger numbers over the last 18 months for its tailor-made rail service.
Sales director Ted Wake cited Eurostar as a main reason behind the increased interest in rail travel.
“We are delighted that Eurostar has opened up travel by rail throughout the continent,” he said.
In the UK, the leisure rail market is continuing to expand.
Orient-Express director of marketing David Hester confirmed that over the last six years, its passenger numbers have increased from 25,000 passengers on UK day trips to 42,000.
Its fifth luxury train, the Northern Belle, had its inaugural journey at the end of May and will operate a year-round schedule of lunch, dinner, day trip and weekend excursions from Manchester, Liverpool and York. Prices for a lunch or dinner journey start at £115 per person.
factfile
rail holidays for…
Young people Inter-Railing around Europe remains cheapest for those under 26, ranging from £129 up to £219 for a month of travel. Those over 26 can also take advantage of the deals – ticket prices range from £179 to £309 for a month and are available at Rail Europe and most European stations and ticketing agencies.
Families
The Grand Touring Club has a three-night short-break in France that combines rail and car travel. Included in the price of £1,350 for a family of four, is car hire and return Eurostar travel to Lille with a connecting TGV train to Angouleme. Citreon 2CVs are available for families to drive through either the Perigord and Dordogne regions, La Rochelle or Bordeaux. The price includes accommodation with bed and breakfast and dinner included. Call 01449 737774 for details.
Empty nestersKirker Holidays sells a 12-night holiday that combines Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Brussels, staying in four-starbed-and-breakfastaccommodation.First-class rail travel between the cities and transfers is included. Two overnight train journeys are also included in standard class, based on twosharing. The lead-in price is £1,278 per person. Call 020 7231 3333 for details.