Eurostar has reported a strong start to 2017 with positive signs of recovery in the sector.
After a surge in late bookings towards the end of 2016, the business reported its busiest December ever and a strong start to the year.
Sales revenues for the first 10 weeks of 2017 are up by 12% and the markets outside Europe are “performing well”.
The positive financial results were boosted by an uplift in business travel, where the number of people travelling for work grew 4 per cent year-on-year.
The business was also boosted by a 17 per cent increase in US travellers. This trend was mirrored in the booking patterns of all passengers originating outside Europe where the volume of travellers for the first 10 weeks of 2017 rose 18 per cent year-on-year.
The cross-channel operator experienced a challenging 2016 with Eurostar posting a £25 million loss after business was hit by numerous terror attacks across Europe and Brexit.
Nicolas Petrovic, CEO, Eurostar, said: “Despite the difficult trading environment last year, we continued to make major investments in new trains, our stations and our overall service.
“With the return of travellers from the US and business travel on the increase, the market is now rebounding strongly and we are optimistic about the growth prospects for the year,” he said.
On Tuesday, Eurostar announced it was starting to sell tickets for its new London-Bordeaux route.
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