This week BTE reports on indications from both Hogg Robinson Group and American Express that the market is "softening", on the forum in London on traveller security organised by the UK and Ireland ITM and a another good years for hotels in Europe.
The issues raised by the one day security conference are dealt what more closely in BTE Analysis.
There has been much, indeed overwhelming, talk and speculation in recent months of a coming recession in the US followed by a downturn in Europe. But the talk has not so far been supported by any hard evidence that the business travel industry is about to suffer.
That first evidence might just have come with Amex's results and the interim statement by HRG.
The first indicates that while Amex had a good 2007, the last quarter was not so good. In fact revenue dropped.
HRG, in its statement covering October to January, said that there was a softening in demand in the SME and Events markets in what it had in its previous statement last November, described as a challenging market.
But while these may be straws in the wind, there are not significant enough to be harbingers of doom.
The industry as a whole seems buoyant enough and the two sectors which are causing HRG some slight concern are both among the most vulnerable and first to suffer in any major drop in trade.
However the industry needs to keeps its eyes open and check all subsequent figures and indications of trade that come out in the next few months.
But there is not, yet, any need to batten down the hatches.
Stanley Slaughter
Editor
Business Travel Europe