The GTMC, the UK’s leading professional industry body representing travel management companies, has published its second quarterly 2012 transaction survey. Despite reports to the contrary the survey revealed that business travel is holding up relatively well, with figures ahead of last year in a quarter that had five bank holidays.

The survey monitors a range of services offered by travel management companies and highlights trends in the business travel sector.  Of the services tracked – air, hotels, rail, car hire and ancillary services - all, except hotels which was static, had increased when compared to the same quarter last year and the running year comparison was also up across all services, including hotels.

Rail sales have fallen back slightly from Q1 but still remain well ahead of 2011 with a very healthy 14% growth.  Car hire also continues to perform well, though the 6% increase is smaller than the incredible growth seen in the last few quarters.

Air travel is down on Q1 2012 but up 2% when compared to Q2 2011 and is also up to 2% on the running year comparison.

Sales of other services, which include consultancy services, ferries, visas, currency exchange and meet and greet, are 10% ahead of the same quarter in 2011.

GTMC chief executive Ann Godfrey said: “Once again the business conducted by GTMC members seems to be slightly better than that being reported elsewhere.  Whilst not spectacular these figures show that, with caution, things are better than may have been expected.”