UK small businesses have increased their travel agency spending according to latest figures from Visa Europe.
The payment card specialist reported an improvement in small business spending in the first half of 2009, after a decline in the lt three months of 2008.
The number of transactions on Visa business cards was up 10% year on year in June, and the value of payments to agents rose 5% in the first quarter of the year and 13% in the second, following a 26% decline between the third and fourth quarters of 2008.
However, business customers are keeping tight control of spending on trips. The number of Visa business card transactions on air travel has returned to pre-October 2008 levels, but the average value of transactions is 3% down on the same period last year.
The hotel and accommodation sector has seen a similar pattern, with the value of transactions down 19% in the first half of the year.