Focus TMCs report modest growth

Travel management company members of the Advantage Focus Partnership enjoyed a boost in sales last month (February).

Total sales revenue was up 18% on January's figures while passenger numbers increased by 4%, according to figures released today (March 16) by the business travel consortium, part of Advantage Travel Centres.

Year-on-year average ticket prices were up 13%.

Norman Gage, the company's director of business travel, said that although only marginally more corporates were travelling, the increase in sales revenue and average ticket price indicated they were moving their business into the premium cabins and travelling further.

"Either explanation could be a sign of increased confidence in the marketplace and is a boost for business generally," said Gage.

"Importantly for travel management companies (TMCs) the number of passengers was up thus boosting their transaction fee earnings.  Members have welcomed the bounce in February and look forward to sustained growth from now on."

Last month the Guild of Travel Management Companies reported that the number of transactions made by its members increased in Q4 in all sectors with the exception of car hire.