Business travellers to return next year

Recovery in the hotel sector could be buoyed by an increase in international business travel next year, according to the latest report from American Express.

In a poll of 800 business travellers across eight countries, 84% said that they expected the volume of their business travel to pick up or stay the same.

In response to this, corporate room rates in mid and upper range hotels are expected to rise by between 1% and 3%, the report said.

Online booking is expected to become more popular in 2004 for business travellers. The survey found that 37% of respondents used the internet to book accommodation.

The main reason given for using the internet was the need to save time, while cost savings was another major consideration.

For more information on the American Express Global Business Travel Trends Survey, see: www.americanexpress.co.uk

by Christina Golding

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