07-10 TTGB NEWS v2 2/12/08 20:32 Page 8
Suppliers’ optimistic tone should
be tempered by scepticism
L50552
More than half of their clients had introduced a
suppliers expect their bookings travel freeze with the highest
to increase in the next 12 proportion pointing to
months. However, almost a “essential travel only” policies
quarter expect their bookings (39%) and downgrading
to go down with a similar (37%).
number expecting them to Banking and finance have
Air
stay the same. been the hardest hit with 65%
In the past year, 61% said of suppliers stating they had
L50552
The overall volume of flight bookings has they have seen business travel seen the biggest drop off in
increased this year, according to our agent bookings increase. The bookings from this sector.
respondents. But many of their clients have findings broadly agree with Encouragingly, despite
chosen to downgrade from the premium first or the results from our agent the relentless focus on oil
business class cabins to economy for cost respondents. price fluctuations and
reasons. More than 54% of respondents claimed Richard Tams, British costcutting, 39% of suppliers
the number of air bookings had increased in the Airways’ head of corporate say their buyer clients are
past 12 months, with only 16% reporting a sales, said: “I am encouraged more concerned about climate
decrease. When asked if the proportion of their by the more optimistic tone change than this time last
premium bookings had fallen over the past year, that these results set but I
BA’s Richard Tams: sceptical
year. Almost half (45%) say
36% replied yes, 24% said they had seen an remain sceptical that this tone with 53% expecting the clients are the same as last
increase and 40% said it had stayed the same. will be maintained for very proportion of business to year and just 16% state they
Cost still remains the key concern for travellers, long. These are early days.” leisure bookings to increase are less interested.
topping the list with 54%. Another interesting finding in 2009. However a massive 91%
✱ for the full results turn to p36 is that more suppliers have A huge proportion of of buyer respondents said
been moving into the business respondents have been their clients were “currently”
travel sector in the past year, “slightly” affected by their more concerned about oil
with 44% stating their companies cutting travel costs prices and the economy than
proportion of business travel (67%), but just 3% have been climate change and the
bookings had increased. This “significantly” affected. Just environment.
trend looks set to continue, 3% of respondents said that ✱ see p28 for the full results
Buyers set to see bookings rise in 2009
L50552
Business travel bookings by buyers are A large percentage of respondents (67%) said
set to increase over 2009, according to the they had made more rail bookings in the past 12
Rail
second ttgbusiness Industry Report. months, but just 47% said rail made up a greater
Forty seven percent of our buyer respondents proportion of bookings compared to air. One of
L50552
The volume of rail tickets booked through predicted that their bookings would increase in the key questions to arise this year is how the
the trade continued to rise this year. Almost 2009, with 20% responding no. A third expected economy is affect companies’ green policies.
60% of survey respondents said that they had their bookings to stay the same. A similar number When asked if they were personally more or
seen an increase. The statistic has slowed slightly of respondents (47%) reported good trading in less concerned about climate change than the
on last year’s when 66% of respondents noticed 2008, with a third stating that the number of same time last year, a third of respondents
volumes grow. This year rail has shown the bookings they have made in the past 12 months answered more and just 13% answered less.
largest increase by sector, which is due to a had fallen. Air bookings were up according to The rest said they felt the same. Paul Tilstone,
number of reasons including the shorter journey 53% of respondents, but where the credit crunch executive director of the Institute of Travel
times from London to Paris on Eurostar; green has bitten is in the class of travel with 53% of Management, said: “The economy and the
issues and network upgrades including more respondents staing that they have been forced to environment go hand in hand; you can save costs
business lounges and better facilities onboard downgrade from premium cabins. Choice of and be environmentally aware if you take the
for business travellers. airport topped business travellers’ concerns right approach.”
✱ For the full report turn to p41 (41%), with cost trailling at 29%. ✱ for the full results turn to p31
....behind the suit: find out what makes Paul Boyle tick p50 ..............ttg busines
ttgbusiness.com❖ industry report 2008
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