US rail operator Amtrak has reported record sales from the UK, with a 60% rise in UK passenger numbers year on year for the 12 months to September.
Craig White, Amtrak’s senior director for travel industry sales, hailed “our record-breaking year” and said: “The UK is our largest overseas market.”
White said the travel trade contributed almost 20% of Amtrak sales, adding that this distribution channel was its fastest-growing.
He told Travel Weekly: “We are seeing heightened awareness among consumers because of the trade, who are out there promoting Amtrak.”
The most popular route among UK travellers is the California Zephyr lines that runs across the midwest between Chicago and San Francisco.
UK agents can earn 8% commission on Amtrak bookings, but must use the dedicated trade site at amtrack.railagent.com.
Train travel has seen a renaissance in the US in the past five years, with rail carrying 65% of the traffic between New York and Washington other than that on the roads, compared with 35% by air – a reversal of the position six years ago.
- More from World Travel Market at travelweekly.co.uk/wtm2010