Mintel's first report into this market since 1998, 'Business Travel - UK, 2003' studies the current position of the business travel market; the major market influences affecting it; its size, value and structure and the main players within it. In the 1990s and 2000 the industry saw very high levels of demand for business travel but the after-effects of 11 September, 2001, together with the war with Iraq and the SARS epidemic, have all caused the rate of growth to slow considerably. Nevertheless, there are signs that business travel confidence is returning with growth for 2003 being 3%. By the end of 2004, business travel is expected to have grown by 4.5% with pre-11 September levels being reached by 2005.

Incorporating a unique analysis of the market's size, trends, structure and consumers, this, the latest report from Mintel Leisure Intelligence, offers you a fresh and extensive insight into:

Returning confidence and a resulting rise in the number of business trips taken in 2003

A dramatic movement away from first class travel to business class and premium economy and the resulting competition between the major airlines for the attention of business class travellers.

How consumers have become more demanding in terms of both comfort and space and the ways major operators have responded

Female business travellers and how operators have tried to become more 'female friendly'

The cost of business travel - slashed travel budgets, more discerning travel operators and increasingly savvy business travellers

Challenges to business travel operators from low cost operators

Rail and road trends

Changes in accommodation trends

Average business trip duration

The most popular modes of transport for business travel and key target groups' attitudes towards them

The expected longevity of this forecasted industry revival

Primarily concerned with domestic and overseas demand for business travel facilities in the UK, this report provides new analysis of:

Market factors/ Market size and trends/ Market segmentation/ The supply structure/ Consumer trends/ Consumers' hotel brand awareness/ Future prospects/ Market forecasts

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

Crossing the Channel - UK, Leisure Intelligence, September 2003

Holiday Bookings - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2003

All inclusive Holidays - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2003

Airlines - UK, Leisure Intelligence, June 2003

Budget Hotels - UK, Leisure Intelligence, April 2003

No frills/Low-cost Airlines - UK, Leisure Intelligence, February 2003

Holidays-The Road to Recovery - UK, Leisure Intelligence, February 2003

Holidays - UK, Leisure Intelligence, January 2004

Holiday Car Hire - UK, Leisure Intelligence, February 2004

Holidays on the Internet - UK, Leisure Intelligence, March 2004