Increasing business travel figures could drive hotel supplies demand

More people are travelling for business in the UK, it has been suggested.

Figures showing that occupancy rates in premises are growing could drive up demand for hotel supplies.

According to Robert Barnard, PKF hotel consultancy services partner, the market for business travel such as events and incentives is growing.

As a result, firms may wish to increase their stocks of wholesale bedding, as the market recovers from the impact of the recession.

Mr Barnard suggested that "essential business travel is still taking place and that's increasing", adding that "London still ended up with over 80 per cent occupancy" in 2009.

Accountancy and business advisory specialist PKF recently released figures showing that occupancy rates in the capital reached 92 per cent in July 2010, while in other parts of the country rooms were 77.5 per cent full, a 4.7 per cent year-on-year increase.

In addition average rates for London hotels grew by 21.1 per cent over the 12 months to July to £139.49, while regional rooms cost an average of 0.3 per cent more at £61.70 in 2010.