12.07.12
Eurostar reports ‘resilient’ performance in 2012
Passenger numbers have increased on Eurostar this year, but leisure traffic and not business travel is driving performance.
Performance for the first half of 2012 shows that passenger numbers were up by 2% to 4.8 million, and sales revenues were up 1% to £425m, in figures published today. Business travel was broadly flat in the first quarter of 2012, but weakened in the second quarter.
The number of passengers originating from outside ofEuropehas grown by 11% in the first half of 2012 compared with last year.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, said: “We have delivered a resilient performance in the first half of the year despite the difficult economic climate. Leisure bookings have continued to grow and we have seen good take-up for travel toLondonover the summer period.
“Whilst leisure sales have held up over the last six months, there is no doubt that corporate clients and business travellers, particularly in the financial services industry, are feeling the squeeze and are cutting back on their travel budgets as they adapt to the economic environment.
“The combination of economic pressures and the London 2012 Games has meant that we are seeing different travel patterns this year. The traditional European summer close-down for business is kicking in earlier as all eyes turn to the Olympic celebrations inLondon.”
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Image: Eurostar