Posted 15th October 2013 | 4 Comments
Eurostar reports 'strong' post-Olympic growth
The last three months are being seen as an important indicator because it is a year since the Olympics and Paralympics distorted travel patterns.
THE number of people travelling by Eurostar rose in the third quarter of 2013. These three months are being seen as an important indicator because it is a year since the Olympics and Paralympics distorted travel patterns.
The international operator said sales revenues were up 10 per cent year-on-year to £207 million, while passenger numbers rose 5 per cent year-on-year to 2.7 million.
A spokesman commented that 'even when taking into account the reduction in passenger traffic to London around the time of the 2012 Olympic Games, this is a strong result'.
Eurostar, which has announced new services between London and Amsterdam from December 2016, also reported 'increasing signs that the economic recovery is beginning to take hold in the UK'.
The business travel market, which had been depressed by the financial crisis in 2008-09, is showing a 'gathering momentum' of recovery, it said, with business sales rising by 14 per cent year on year. Leisure travel rose by 9 per cent.
Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “Business traveller volumes have been growing steadily for several months and this quarter’s performance continues that encouraging trend. As a bell-wether for the health of the wider UK economy, the growing strength of the corporate travel market gives us confidence in the business outlook to the year end.”
40 per cent of Eurostar is owned by the British Government. The French state railway SNCF has a 55 per cent share, while Belgian SNCB has the other 5 per cent.
Eurostar is bidding as a minority partner alongside the French company Keolis for the next Intercity East Coast franchise. If this joint bid succeeds, East Coast will then be run by a combination of companies which are mostly state-owned in France or Britain, because nationalised SNCF also owns more than 50 per cent of Keolis.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Steve, Luton
It's hardly down to EU migrants coming here to claim benefits. What a UKIPish xenophobic (borderline racist) comment for a forum!
There has been an increase of wealthy tourists from the Americas. USA, Canada, but also Brazil, Mexico and other developing economies in South America who now have the financial clout for European holidays. It's not just British/French/Belgian/EU passengers making up Eurostar's clientele.
As for filthy trains, there's a refurb programme in progress for the old units, new units from Siemens. Wifi, infotainment & more modern interiors have been promised according to press releases.
Adam Simmons, Tias
According to the International Passenger Survey the number of Brits on Eurostar was pretty stable between 2010 and 2012 (at 46-47% of the total).
Tony Pearce, Reading
Good news - on the surface. But I would like to know the nationalities of the travellers. Is this increase more Brits visiting Paris or Bruxelles or even further, or round the other way ? Have we Germans and other EU nationals now using Eurostar instead of air travel ? (It could of course be totally down to lots more EU migrants coming here to claim benefits !!!!! ) The really interesting point would be an analysis of the Business Travellers. Are Brits now seeking more markets abroad or do others now regard our Economy as a place to do business ? Even more interesting would be the final destination and starting point for these travellers. This could probably be a very good argument for the HS2 extension, - although maybe not for Euston being the terminus for HS2.
Jase, Ashford
Oh good, does this mean their filthy trains are going to get a clean?