Business Travel Tips

According a report released by American Express Business Travel Monitor, business travel costs rise more in the second quarter of this year, compared with the second quarter of 2005.

A few examples.
- Airfare
On a sample of 160 international routes, the average one-way business-class fares rose 6 percent, to $4,088; and first-class fares rose 4 percent, at $6,000
- Hotel
Average hotel rates rose 11 percent, to $237.

Rising prices are a consequence of an increasing business travel demand.
As an example, in the US, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in the first six months of this year, domestic passenger traffic increased by 0.2 percent, over the first half of last year, while international traffic rose 6.8 percent.

Summarizing, the study found that price increases are the result of a combination of factors such as:
increasing business travel demand,
higher fuel prices,
fewer available seats and hotel rooms.
At American Express Business Travel Advisory Services say this trend is expected to continue.