United Kingdom
News Release
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Announces Strong Performance in First Half 2011
Sales volume up 10 per cent and transactions 5 per cent
AMSTERDAM August 22, 2011 - Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) today announces that its sales volume for the first half of 2011 was US$13.4 billion, representing a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2010 (on a constant currency basis). Transactions rose 5 per cent to 30.8 million in the first six months of 2011.
Performance was strongest in Asia Pacific, where sales volume versus the first half of 2010 increased by 18 per cent, followed by Latin America (12 per cent), North America (11 per cent) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (9 per cent).
Commenting on these results, Douglas Anderson, CWT president and chief executive officer, said: “ Sales volume growth has accelerated along with year over year economic growth. Our continued strong customer focus has allowed us to maintain excellent client retention and satisfaction, while winning new sales and creating innovative solutions. Delivering innovative solutions for managed corporate travel continues to be a key priority for CWT.”
Innovative solutions for travellers and travel programmes
Since the beginning of 2011, CWT has introduced a number of product innovations
designed to make travellers’ lives easier while supporting travel programme objectives.
CWT
To Go
TM allows travellers to access their CWT travel itineraries from their mobile
devices as well as verify flight status, check in, research alternate flights, review and select
dining options, find destination weather information, etc. CWT launched local and global versions
of
CWT
Market, a dynamic, free application for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry users that aggregates
best-of-market travel apps and mobile websites into one convenient app.
CRS
by CWT was launched as a new central reservation system for non-GDS hotels to facilitate
bookings and boost programme compliance.
In the first half of 2011 CWT acquired its partner agency Kaleva Travel, a Finland-based travel management company with a presence in several important European markets: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.
The importance of improving the traveller experience at the same time as focusing on savings was emphasised in two reports published by the CWT Travel Management Institute: the first, an annual survey, Travel Management Priorities 2011, and the second, an in-depth report entitled Traveller Services: Finding the Right Fit.
About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) is a global leader specialised in managing business
travel and meetings and events. CWT serves companies, government institutions and non-governmental
organisations of all sizes in more than 150 countries and territories. By leveraging both the
expertise of its people and leading-edge technology, CWT helps clients derive the greatest value
from their travel programme in terms of savings, service, security and sustainability. The company
is also committed to providing best-in-class service and assistance to travellers. CWT services and
solutions comprise Traveller & Transaction Services, Programme Optimisation, Safety &
Security, Meetings & Events and Energy Services. In 2010, sales volume for wholly owned
operations and joint ventures totalled US$24.3 billion. Carlson Wagonlit Travel supports the global
healthcare initiative known as MASSIVEGOOD, which enables travellers to make a “micro-contribution”
when they purchase travel services. For more information about CWT, please visit our global website
at
www.carlsonwagonlit.com. Follow us on Twitter @CarlsonWagonlit
Media contact
Christine Fischer
Carlson Wagonlit Travel, UK
+44 (0) 20 3353 1113
[email protected]
