Visit Chester & Cheshire are celebrating this month after a survey revealed that 70% of business travellers prefer to travel by train. The survey, conducted by the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) for their latest business travel manifesto, revealed that most business travellers prefer to travel via train and would favour further investment in high-speed rail services in the UK…
Visit Chester & Cheshire are celebrating this month after a survey revealed that 70% of business travellers prefer to travel by train.
The survey, conducted by the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) for their latest business travel manifesto, revealed that most business travellers prefer to travel via train and would favour further investment in high-speed rail services in the UK.
66% of business travellers polled would also rather take the train than fly to a destination for a meeting or conference, but only if the journey time and cost were lower.
The news follows the launch of Virgin Train’s popular high-speed service from London Euston to Crewe, Chester and Warrington in 2009.
The Virgin Trains service enables delegates to arrive at Crewe in 90 minutes and at Chester in just under two hours, as well as offering recently refurbished first class lounges, access to WiFi, power points and work stations during travel.
Fiona Brown, Business Tourism Account Manager at Visit Chester & Cheshire comments: “This research underlines what we as a destination have known for a long time – that business travellers prefer travel that is simpler, faster and more convenient. Our high speed Virgin Trains service has proven crucial in attracting a number of key events and conferences to the region and adds to the high quality of service we offer to all those visiting the destination”.
Anita Walczak, Virgin Trains Group Station Manager said: “We are delighted that business travellers between London and Crewe, Warrington and Chester are choosing Virgin Trains over other modes of travel and that the speed, frequency and facilities of our services are helping to attract key events to the region. The train offers city centre to city centre journeys without the hassle of airport check-in or road congestion delays as well as providing a well-equipped mobile office with onboard Wi-Fi and power points”.
The news also follows the launch of Visit Chester & Cheshire’s Eventful Escapes advertising campaign in partnership with Virgin Trains. Under the scheme, the region’s season of summer events will be highlighted with the aim of increasing overnight visitors to the destination during this period.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
