UK business travel expanded by 9% in the past 12 months after spending 2009 in the doldrums, according to a Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) survey. The GTMC’s annual report of members’ transactions showed a 10% rise in air travel year on year in 2010 and a 10% increase in rail bookings. Hotel transactions rose by 8%.
Corporate air travel in the year returned to a level last seen in mid-2008 while rail bookings reached their highest-ever point. Government statistics show the total number of rail passenger journeys last year was almost 7% up on 2009 and at its highest since the 1920s.
GTMC chief executive Anne Godfrey said: “2010 was a good year for business travel, although we have to recognise the figures come from a low base. Had it not been for the adverse weather in the final quarter we would probably have seen growth in every quarter of the year. Clearly business travel is growing again and the signs are promising for 2011.”