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History

More than a century of milestones

CWT Key Milestones

2009

  • In November, CWT teams up with Tata Communications announce to provide CWT Telepresence, an enhancement to the broader demand management offering, allowing CWT clients to access the Tata Communications network of public Cisco TelePresence Suites around the world.
  • In October CWT UK is named "Agency Winner" for the 2009/10 ICARUS Environmental Supplier Awards by the Institute of Travel & Meetings (ITM) UK & Ireland, the third consecutive year that CWT has won the agency category.
  • CWT sets new industry standard with the July launch of CWT Itinerary & E-Ticket in Europe, enabling travelers and to manage reservations more easily before and during a business trip. The itinerary and electronic ticket are combined into a concise, easy-to-read document that clearly identifies the status of the traveler’s booking and any actions to be taken.
  • In June CWT Travel Management Institute publishes Room for Savings: Optimizing Hotel Spend, revealing that hotel spend represents on average nearly 40 percent of a total corporate travel budget, but is often underestimated and undermanaged. The study debunks some long-held myths and identifies seven steps that enable companies to reduce hotel spend by as much as 21 percent.
  • In February, CWT received a 2009 Business Travel Innovation Award for its compliance-enhancing solution CWT Policy Messenger at the Business Travel Show held in London. This marks the second consecutive innovation award for CWT in the competition's Travel Management Services Category.

2008

  • In December, CWT announced its acquisition of Irish partner agency Executive Travel Group.
  • The same month, CWT acquired the travel operations of Madison Travel, a CWT associate franchisee office based in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada).
  • CWT wins the Best Agency award for the second consecutive year, in the 2008-09 ICARUS Environmental Awards, established by the Institute of Travel Management U.K. & Ireland.
  • In October, CWT signed a global agreement with The CarbonNeutral Company, the leading carbon offset and climate consulting firm, to provide emissions management services to CWT clients and enhance its CWT Sustainable Solutions offering.
  • In October, CWT acquired Viajes Lepanto, a Spanish travel agency that handles business travel and meetings and events.
  • In September, CWT reported strong growth in global sales volume and robust new sales for the first half of 2008 Enhancements to CWT services and solutions also marked the first six months.
  • In July, CWT signed a definitive agreement and acquired the travel operations of Piedmont Travel, Inc., South Carolina’s largest travel firm, located in Greenville.
  • CWT signed in July a global, multi-year agreement designating StarCite, Inc. as a preferred technology partner for Meetings and Events activities worldwide.
  • In July, CWT and American Express Global Commercial Card signed a multi-year, preferred supplier agreement by which CWT will promote and distribute three American Express payment solutions to its clients and prospects in 21 countries.
  • In April, CWT launched CWT Agency+Card Reporting to help travel managers optimize total travel spend, increase preferred agency and corporate credit card compliance, and enjoy greater leverage with suppliers.
  • Douglas Anderson is named President and CEO of CWT in April.
  • In March, CWT acquires Traveltime Services, a regional travel management company based in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • In February, the CWT Program Management Center wins a 2008 Innovation Award in the Travel Services category, at the Business Travel Show held in London.
  • In January, CWT acquires the assets of Viajes MAPFRE from Spanish group MAPFRE. The transaction encompasses business travel management, meetings and events, and leisure travel activities in Spain, with an option to acquire these activities in Latin America as well.
  • CWT announces significant growth in 2007, with sales and new business rising to historic highs. CWT also reports substantial progress and innovation in its four lines of business.

2007

  • Following an offer made in October, CWT completes acquisition of majority stake in Ark Travel, a major travel management company in Sweden.
  • In October, CWT and MasterCard Worldwide launch enhanced corporate travel data solution. Global program provides companies and government agencies with comprehensive access to enhanced travel data.
  • In October, CWT acquires the assets of Pirelli’s travel agency, Polo Viaggi, specialized in corporate, incentive and leisure travel.
  • In August, CWT pursues its growth strategy by acquiring the business travel operations of Preferred Travel, Inc., a regional travel management company in the northeast United States.
  • In July, CWT announces the addition of ground transportation (which includes rental car, black car/limo and rail) to its repertoire of program optimization services.
  • In July, CWT gains majority control of Indian joint venture. The transaction underscores CWT’s commitment to India’s corporate travel market.
  • In May, CWT launches the global edition of CWT Vision, a publication which analyzes industry developments and their impact on travel management while sharing best practices and actionable insights.
  • The CWT Program Management Center, a proprietary web-based tool designed to help streamline and optimize travel program management, is launched in May.
  • CWT U.K. unveils a carbon calculator tool in February to advise environmentally aware travelers of the level of CO2 emissions a trip by air or rail is likely to produce.
  • In January, Hubert Joly and Mike Koetting are named among "The 25 Most Influential Executives of the Business Travel Industry, 2006" by Business Travel News.

2006

  • In September, CWT opens a Latin American regional reservations center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • In August, CWT finalizes acquisition of Navigant International, doubling its size in North America and reinforcing its presence in Asia Pacific.
  • A change in CWT’s shareholding structure also occurs in August: Carlson and One Equity Partners (OEP) acquire Accor’s 50 percent stake in CWT. Carlson becomes majority shareholder with 55 percent of CWT shares, while OEP holds the remaining 45 percent.
  • In May, CWT signs a global reseller agreement with Amadeus to distribute its online booking system Amadeus e-Travel Management, the most widely deployed online booking solution for global managed travel.
  • In March, CWT signs a reseller agreement with GetThere to offer CWT clients worldwide greater flexibility when choosing their online corporate travel reservation system.

2005

  • Geographic expansion continues with the acquisition of the business travel division of Raiffeisen Reisen Wien GmbH in Austria, Frantour in France, CWT Brazil and CWT Mexico.
  • Opening of eCenter in Belfort, France
  • Significant enhancements and upgrades to CWT global products and services, including:

    - Globalization of the CWT Solutions Group, the company's consulting division
    - Global reseller agreement with iJET for enhanced safety and security products and services
    - Launch of Direct Connect technology for hotels, providing travelers and agents with direct access to hotel inventory
    - Enhancements to the CWT Discovery offering and progress in implementing a single data warehouse and common client-reporting platform worldwide

2004

  • Hubert Joly is named President and CEO of CWT in July.
  • CWT acquires Maritz Corporate Travel in the United States in March, and Onboard in Germany in October, demonstrating its continuous commitment to playing a leading role in the consolidation of the travel management industry.
  • CWT purchases Protravel in France and integrates its business travel, leisure travel, and group and incentive travel activities in this strategic market. The new entity becomes the largest player in the French travel distribution market.
  • CWT’s joint venture in China extends to Shanghai and Guangzhou and the first national call center is created for General Electric, servicing travelers from more than 30 cities.

2003

  • CWT opens its first eCenter in Warsaw, Poland. This new service configuration is designed to handle multinational clients with business travelers in several European cities from a single business travel center.
  • CWT’s joint venture with China Air Service creates China’s first specialist business travel agency in Beijing.
  • In December, CWT signs an intention to purchase Protravel in France and integrate business, leisure, and group and incentive travel activities.

2001

  • CWT and Japan Travel Bureau create a joint venture, JTB/CWT Business Travel Solutions.
  • CWT acquires AC Travel in Germany, making CWT third in this market.
  • CWT partners with Concorde Travel to form a joint venture in South Africa.

2000

  • Hervé Gourio is named president and chief executive officer in October.
  • CWT Asia-Pacific network is strengthened by an acquisition in Thailand and joint ventures in India and Indonesia.

1998

  • CWT creates the CWT Solutions Group, whose experts provide consulting services to clients, notably in the selection and deployment of new technologies and in strategic air and hotel sourcing.

1997

  • Carlson Travel Network in the United States and Wagonlit Travel in Europe merge to form the Carlson Wagonlit Travel network for business travel. The new company is the first truly global travel services company with international management.

1996

  • CWT moves into Australia and Singapore.

1995

  • CWT establishes a foothold in the Asia-Pacific market with acquisitions in Hong Kong and Japan.

1994

  • Carlson Companies, Inc. of Minneapolis and the Paris-based Accor Group combine the business travel interests of their respective companies, Carlson Travel Network and Wagonlit Travel, under the name Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Other Milestones

1993

  • Wagons-Lits Travel changes its name to Wagonlit Travel and consolidates its network, products and services for multinational companies.

1991

  • Accor acquires La Compagnie des Wagons-Lits.
  • Ask Mr. Foster changes its name to Carlson Travel Network, to capitalize on the professionalism, strength, and synergy of the Carlson Companies.

1983

  • Carlson Companies acquires P. Lawson Travel.

1980

  • Wagons-Lits Travel is the first business travel agency in Europe to create implants or on-site locations in the offices of clients. The company also introduces the widespread use of computer reservation systems and offers global reporting to European business travel customers. It expands quickly through major acquisitions in Denmark, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe.

1960

  • The "Compagnie des Wagons-Lits" expands its mission of serving travelers to become Wagons-Lits Travel, Europe’s largest travel management company.

1957

  • Ask Mr. Foster changes hands when two shareholders, Donald Fischer and Thomas Orr, pay US$157,000 for controlling interest in the company, which had seen hard times during and in the wake of World War II.

1928

  • Full-service Wagons-Lits agencies spring up in rail ticket offices throughout Europe.

1888

  • The Ask Mr. Foster travel agency is founded in St. Augustine, Florida, making it one of the oldest travel agencies in the United States. Its unusual name is the result of one local resident, Ward G. Foster, who is the unofficial keeper of the train timetables. When tourists inquire about the time of train arrivals or departures, they are told to "Ask Mr. Foster."

1872

  • Belgian innovator Georges Nagelmackers begins a new enterprise with the sole purpose of serving the traveler. Adding sleeping compartments to trains serving the European continent, he founded the company, Wagons-Lits, which literally means "sleeping cars." Nagelmackers goes on to create the Orient Express.