Virgin Trains report booming business travel

Virgin Trains say business travel has outperformed leisure travel in the first half of 2013, driven by effective advertising campaigns.

The rail provider, which is part owned by North West-headquartered Stagecoach, and part owned by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, say revenue from corporate sales was up 12% in the 12 weekend to June 22.

Growth was led by a 26% increase in travel in the banking sector; 18% in the entertainment and media sectors; and 15% in services and consulting.

Revenue from public sector travel increased by 18% and from tour operators by 12.5%.

Virgin say corporate travellers are beginning to buy more off-peak and advance fares, and this has led to a 1.2% drop in the average peak fare.

According to a statement from the company, the “Fly Virgin Trains” advertising campaign in the press and on billboards helped to generate the positive results.

Graham Leech, executive director of Commercial said: “We have seen substantial increases in leisure travel over the last five years, but it has been tough for UK businesses. The increases we are now seeing in business travel suggest that the UK economy is on the move again.

“The extra seats that we have on our Pendolino trains mean we can offer even more great value Advance fares.”

Virgin have operated the West Coast train passenger franchise since 1997, serving London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Glasgow.