The Advantage Travel Partnership, the UK’s pre-eminent business network representing travel agents and travel management companies, has today announced a partnership with Rail Delivery Group, aa membership organisation that works on behalf of the rail industry in Great Britain to create a simpler, better railway for its customers.

The partnership recognises the shared interests and goals of both organisations and the potential benefits of working together, to bring to the forefront the importance of the Great British rail network Great Britain. By combining resources, they will have the opportunity to create impactful initiatives that benefit their members as well as the wider business travel industry as a whole.

The partnership will encompass various collaborative activities including:

• Networking and collaboration opportunities, CEO’s partnering together on the political agenda which focuses on the future of the rail network in Great Britian
• A flow of educational materials, webinars and updates, addressing common challenges relating to domestic rail within the Business Travel sector.
• Collaboration and joint branding on educational events and social media to amplify the message of the partnership.
• Explore "Rail" overall membership which includes Train Operating Companies and Rail Delivery Group, to drive the rail message collaboratively.
• Holding regular joint meetings between senior leadership to discuss new initiatives and collaboration opportunities.
• Providing a joined-up and supportive response to important issues.

Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Managing Director Global Business Travel of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We're thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Rail Delivery Group. This collaboration offers us the opportunity to showcase the efficiency, safety and sustainability of rail transport across the UK to our members as we are likely to see modal shift from air to rail for business travellers in the future. Rail is a vital part of the UK’s infrastructure for business travellers and we're excited to embark on this journey with such a reputable organisation and look forward to making a positive impact on the rail industry.”

Paul Bowden, Rail Delivery Group’s Director of Commercial and Third-Party Retailing said: “We’re excited to launch a partnership with Advantage, to increase the focus on rail within the business travel sector. Through the partnership, we’ll be able to support and educate Advantage members with the latest updates on rail projects and initiatives that are relevant to business travellers.

“As we promote the benefits of rail as a preferred mode of travel, our partnership will enable us to widen the conversations to elevate projects such as Green Travel Pledge, which is a rail industry initiative to create a recognised industry benchmark for carbon emissions at the point of sale. Together we can actively encourage increased use of rail as a sustainable mode of travel.”