As it gears up for what it believes will be a massive year for train travel in 2023, Rail Europe says its priority will be to continue helping travel advisors bring home sales.
Key to this, says Rail Europe Asia-Pacific general manager Richard Leonard, will be the company’s focus on familiarising advisors with its advanced booking technology.
Leonard added that a series of incentives and offers will begin to roll out in the new year.
It is expected the merger between Eurostar and Thalys in May 2022 will also result in more ticket and route options, he said.
In good news for rail travel, Rail Europe expects train travel across Europe to reach 2019 figures in 2023.
Australian sales figures for European train travel are sitting at 140 per cent above target for 2022, while Eurostar sales specifically are currently 175 per cent above targets.
Leonard made a link between increased airline capacity into Europe and rising sales.
30 million by 2030
Eurostar senior lead manager international strategy and b2b partnerships, Tuesday-Ann Castle, said the premium rail service aims to take 30 million passengers a year between Europe’s largest cities by 2030, aided by a combined network of road, rail and air travel.
“With the now four daily direct return services from Rotterdam and Amsterdam to the UK for example, travellers not only have greater flexibility but can enjoy an incredibly sustainable travel option that also saves time,” said Castle, who was in Sydney for a co-hosted travel trade event with About France and Rail Europe.
Castle added that a passenger’s carbon footprint from one flight equated to 13 Eurostar journeys.
In other updates at the event, travel agents were advised to start planning ahead for Rugby World Cup 2023, which will be held in France next September and October, while advisors should take note of events in the UK like the Coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023.
Around 30 guests attended the Sydney event, which was held at the Langham Hotel. Door prizes included a Premium return ticket on any Eurostar route and three Swiss Peak headphones awarded by Visit Britain.
For more information and prices, visit agent.raileurope.com.
