Long-haul business travel bookings from the United Kingdom during the past year "increased significantly,"

according to an HRG study. Based on 250,000 bookings between May 2006 and June 2007, the study found that business trips increased more than 30 percent to Asia and Australia; 28 percent to the Middle East; 23 percent to Africa; and 12 percent to South America. HRG also said business-class airfares rose by 4 percent.