Non rail grows to $1m for Rail Plus

Non rail grows to $1m for Rail Plus
By admin


Non rail product is becoming increasingly lucrative for Rail Plus and is set to generate more than $1 million in sales this year, the firm has revealed.

Revenue has climbed 25% in 2012 following a 15% rise in 2011, national sales and marketing manager Greg McCallum told Travel Today.

It will see total revenue from ancillary product, which includes theatre and attraction tickets, travel passes and day tours, soar from $750,000 to more than $1m, he said.

While still only a fraction of the amount generated from its core rail product, McCallum said it is becoming a welcome and growing source of incremental business.

He predicted agents will make approximately 15,000 bookings of Rail Plus add-on products this year with an average transaction value of $65.

“Around 20% of all add-on products we sell are stand alone bookings. That is, they are booked totally separately from rail,” McCallum said.

“It’s still small compared to our rail business but it is growing both in terms of revenue and importance for us. We have stepped up our marketing to the trade and I would expect to see minimum growth next year of 25%.”

Virtually all ancillary bookings are for London and Paris, with 65% for the UK and 35% for the French capital.

McCallum said the vast majority of agents have adopted Rail Plus’ web technology with 90% of bookings now made online. That familiarity has sparked the growth of add-on sales which are all bookable through the same system.

“That is key,” McCallum said. “Agents know our technology well. We have also removed booking fees which makes it more attractive for agents and consumers. Retailers aren’t going to make an enormous amount of money from $65 transactions but it’s about adding value for customers. Pre-booking the London Eye or Oyster Cards (for the London Underground) can also save a lot of queuing and gives peace of mind to travellers.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]