Eurail Pass Sales on Track for Record Year

UTRECHT, The Netherlands, September 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

- 2010 - Half Year Sales Results

Eurail Group's fiscal year has gotten off to a good start as the eco-friendly company announces that sales have risen by 9% in the first six months of 2010; these results are compared to the same period last year.

Although the impact of the ash cloud in April and the global economic crisis to the travel industry has not been entirely erased, the stabilization of worldwide markets in which the Eurail Group G.I.E. operates, reflects positive activity levels. Eurail Group reports that June was a record month with an unprecedented increase of 17.3%. Furthermore, they forecast that the third quarter results, being the peak rail pass travel season, will continue to surpass Eurail Pass sales from previous years.

Eurail Global Pass and Eurail Select Pass sales have both increased by an average of 9%, meaning that travelers are maximizing their value for money by choosing to travel through multiple countries. "The growth is meeting our expectations despite the current challenging travel and economic environment", says Ana Dias e Seixas, Marketing Manager of the Eurail Group. "We are delighted to report that passenger trends are evolving to favor the Global Pass; this product offers excellent value for money because it allows the traveler to fully utilize the European rail network".

Eurail Group remains committed to its sustainable, long-term environmental goals and is well placed to attract more travelers as economic conditions improve. Furthermore, they continue to increase their marketing activities in growing markets such as China, India, Japan and South Korea. This has proved a worthwhile strategic approach because the half year report shows that sales have risen by 70% within the Chinese and South Korean market.

Although they recognize that the North American audience is slightly lagging behind with a decrease of -4.8%, Eurail Group suspects that this shows a sign of recovery by acknowledging that the decline for this market was far more dramatic in 2009. "The Eurail Group is optimistic that we are on track to reach our target of 450.000 passengers before the end of the year", concludes Ana Dias e Seixas.

    For more information:
    Eurail Group corporate website and press room: http://www.eurailgroup.com
    Eurail photo library: http://eurail.informationstore.net
    Notes to editor

The Eurail Group G.I.E. is dedicated to the marketing and management of the Eurail Pass, a product which has made traveling with European trains increasingly popular since 1959.

    Eurail Passes are available from the following authorized sales channels:

    ACP Rail International (http://www.eurail-acprail.com)
    Eurail (http://www.eurail.com)
    Flight Centre (http://www.flightcentre.com)
    Octopus Travel (http://www.octopustravel.com)
    Rail Europe (http://www.raileurope.com - North America)
    Rest of the world: (http://www.raileurope.fr)
    STA Travel (http://www.statravel.com).

SOURCE Eurail Group G.I.E.