Aus spikes again for Rail Europe

Rail Europe has again lauded Australia for outstripping its global growth as the rail marketing company announced two further deals that it said would benefit the local industry.

Figures released yesterday showed revenue from Australia leapt 63% to 30 million Euros in 2010 (A$42.2m). Globally, sales increased 41%.

Rail Europe chief executive Pierre-Stephane Austi, in Australia to meet key partners, pointed to increased distribution networks, marketing and improving technology as key drivers for the increase.

New deals struck with ATOC, the British rail system and RENFE, the Spanish rail network will see Australian agents given access to additional fares not previously available and generate further revenue opportunities , he added.

“This will particularly effect point to point tickets in the UK. In some cases this is a discount of up to 70% off the regular fare,” Austi said, adding that Australia was now a mature market with more repeat customers.

But executives warned it would be hard to replicate the growth next year. The 2010 figures were to some extent inflated coming off the back of a challenging 2009.
“We would be pleased with 10% growth in 2011,” said Rail Europe Australasia manager, Richard Leonard.

He added that all its Australia general sales agents - Rail Plus, CIT, Infinity Rail and Rail Tickets – had experienced similar growth patterns.

Rail Europe is jointly owned by the Swiss and French rail networks.