Eurostar sales pick up

Eurostar passenger numbers, which took a hit last year after the September fire on a Eurostar shuttle in the Channel Tunnel, have shown a marked increase for the period between July and September this year. While the third quarter numbers for 2008 were especially hurt by the fire-incident, this year’s rise in third quarter figures are also being attributed to business travel finally showing some sign of recovery, and the leisure market showing growth.

A total of 2.6 million passengers used the Eurostar services in the third quarter this year, up 0.2 million from the same period last year. From January to September this year, Eurostar welcomed 6.9 million travellers, and ticket sales for the period amounted to £504.9 million.

Richard Brown, Eurostar’s chief executive says the figures show that UK’s travellers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of using Eurostar, despite the tough economic climate. He labels the new Eurostar passengers the ‘Eurostar Generation’, one which has faced multiple changes to the way people live, work and play, as the high-speed railway system evolves and expands its network.

Brown also points out that over the last few weeks, many of the company’s large corporate clients have been easing their corporate business travel restrictions, which he believes may be an early sign of an economic upturn.

Another spokesperson for the company later added that Eurostar’s improved performance is predominantly a result of strengthening in the leisure market, saying that the company was optimistic and hoping that this is the sign of better times to come.