A continuing rebound in business travel has been reported by leading travel management company Hogg Robinson Group.
The company said travel bookings for the four months to the end of January were up by 15% with client spend up by a similar amount against the same period a year earlier.
In an interim management statement issued this morning, HRG reported that revenue rose by around 13% in the period.
“We are encouraged that corporate travel activity has increased across all of our regions, with the highest growth in Asia Pacific,” the company said. There was no “material impact” from severe weather delays and travel disruption before Christmas.
Chief executive David Radcliffe said: “I am pleased to report that the encouraging revenue momentum that we saw through the first half of the year has continued.
“During a period that included some exceptionally difficult weather conditions, HRG has been able to further demonstrate its value to clients as we work to help them make alternative travel arrangements.”
He described client retention as remaining high and the new business pipeline as strong with Direct Energy among its new clients.
“HRG is also leading the way in the development and integration of mobile technology in travel management and we continue to innovate and invest in our technology to the benefit of our clients,” he said.
“We are confident that our clear strategy, unwavering client focus, and global infrastructure will allow the group to take advantage of the improving climate and growth prospects available to us.”
Contract renewals include Atkins, BNP Paribas, CBC, Diageo, Evonik, Magna, Procter & Gamble, Schaeffler, Siemens, Ministry of Defence and Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Extended deals have been agreed with clients including Novartis, Syngenta and Volkswagen.