Two More Bits Of Good News: Employment And Business Travel Trends

Always on the lookout for positive economic signs to offset the negatives, two upbeat reports came across our desk last week.

The National Restaurant Association, analyzing recent employment data from the state perspective, reported on its TrendMapper research website that 34 states saw their jobless rates decline in March–“one of the most broad-based improvements since the economic recovery began.” The group said the unemployment rates were unchanged for another nine states and the District of Columbia and that only seven states saw unemployment increase. “Overall, these latest trends indicate the laying of a solid foundation for a sustained economic recovery,” NRA opined.

On another foodservice related front, the Global Business Travel Association reported in Meetings & Conventions magazine that its Business Travel Index hit its highest level in the first quarter ’11 since the third quarter ’08. While some of the increase was a result of price increases for airfare, lodging, meals and ground transportation, the group said increased corporate demand was also a major factor in business-travel growth. The group expects the combination to push overall spending for business travel 6.9% higher this year and predicts similar increases for group travel. International travel, driven by economic growth in emerging markets, jumped 17.3% in ’10.