Booking and Ticketing

Analytical Summary of Payment Behaviour in the booking and ticketing Sector

The analysis of payment behaviour within the booking and ticketing sector indicates a highly disciplined and predictable financial environment, characterised by prompt settlement terms and low volatility. Based on a sample of 14 companies, the data reveals a tight alignment between the average payment time of 30.1 days and the median of 31 days. This negligible difference suggests that the dataset is not skewed by extreme outliers, portraying a sector that operates with remarkable consistency. With a standard deviation of only 9.3 days, suppliers engaging with this sector can reasonably anticipate settlement times hovering closely around the standard 30-day term. Consequently, cash flow uncertainty is significantly minimised compared to more volatile industries, allowing stakeholders to forecast revenue with a high degree of confidence.

A more detailed review of the distribution metrics highlights a distinct split in payment speeds, whilst maintaining an overall favourable profile. The sample is evenly divided, with 50% of companies classified as ‘Fast’ payers (settling within 0-30 days) and the remaining 50% falling into the ‘Moderate’ category (31-45 days). Crucially, our analysis confirms a total absence of companies in the ‘Slow’, ‘Very Slow’, or ‘Critical’ categories, with the slowest payer recorded at just 43 days. The quartile analysis further supports this view of reliability; the interquartile range of 19 days demonstrates that the majority of businesses settle their accounts in a window between 20 days (25th percentile) and 39 days (75th percentile). Therefore, credit risk models should view this sector favourably, as the risk of extended delinquency appears non-existent within this sample.

When examining specific invoice performance, the data indicates that 61.7% of invoices are paid within the 30-day window, reinforcing the sector's prompt payment habits. However, it is important to realise that despite the swift average times, 28.9% of payments are technically classified as late. This suggests that whilst companies pay relatively quickly, they may often miss strict due dates by a narrow margin, likely due to administrative processing rather than liquidity distress. Geographically, the dataset is heavily centred in London, which houses 8 of the 14 companies analysed. This regional concentration implies that the observed behaviours may be influenced by the capital’s specific commercial practices, potentially differing from the behaviour seen amongst the few companies located in the East of England or the Midlands.

In conclusion, the booking and ticketing sector demonstrates robust financial health and operational efficiency. With top performers settling accounts in as little as 14 days and three companies averaging under 20 days, the sector sets a high benchmark for creditworthiness. The maximum wait time of 43 days is exceptionally low compared to broader UK industry standards, where delays often exceed 60 or 90 days. For suppliers and creditors, this sector represents a low-risk environment where cash flow can be organised effectively. Providing that administrative workflows are optimised to mitigate the moderate volume of technically late payments, trading partners should find the payment culture here to be both transparent and dependable.