Business class on standby

By SIMON HENDERY

The country's largest corporate travel agent expects the downturn in business travel following the US terror attacks to be over by February.

BTI New Zealand's chief executive, Phil Houston, said yesterday his company's corporate business had fallen by 15 per cent following last month's terrorist attacks but most executive trips were being delayed rather than cancelled.

BTI was formed this month following Network Travel's purchase of BTI Barlow New Zealand.

The expanded company has 220 staff and an annual turnover of about $220 million.

Eighty per cent of that total is conducted with corporate clients.

The BTI group has offices in 81 countries.

Mr Houston, who was previously Network Travel's managing director, said the newly expanded New Zealand company was looking to grow by acquiring other travel companies.

He said the slump in travel following the September 11 attacks was hitting New Zealand travel agencies and some were likely to go under.

However, he believed that the downturn would present good business buying opportunities for his company.