Services sales increased by 12.1 percent in the second quarter of this year, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth. Most sectors performed well, but services related to tourism did the best. This was revealed by the Czech Statistical Office (CSO) on its website.
According to Tomáš Harák, head of the Czech Statistical Office’s data support department for statistics on trade, services, and the environment, sales at travel agencies, bureaus, and other booking activities increased by 217.1 percent year on year.
This was followed by accommodation, with a 146.5 percent growth in sales, and air transport, with a 135.6 percent increase. “On the other hand, employment-related activities showed the biggest decline, by 13.7 percent,” Harák added.
However, according to the statisticians, the leading service sectors all recorded a year-on-year increase in sales, with the most significant growth, by more than half, in accommodation, catering, and hospitality. In administrative and support activities, which include travel agencies and offices, sales were up by a fifth compared to the second quarter of last year.
Revenues in the transportation and warehousing sector increased 15.8 percent over the previous spring. Growth continued for air transport, which has struggled with the effects of anti-poverty measures since spring 2020. According to the statisticians, revenue in the air transport industry began to grow last spring and increased 135.6 percent year-on-year in this year’s second quarter.
Water transport revenues increased by 76.3 percent, and warehousing services increased by one-fifth. On the other hand, postal and courier services earned 6.5 percent less.
Sales rose by around seven percent yearly in professional, scientific, and technical activities. According to the statisticians, services related to scientific, technical, architectural, and engineering activities posted the most significant increase in sales, while advertising agencies and market research declined.
In information and communication activities, sales increased by 2.5 percent year on year. There was a similar increase in real estate.