Global

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Announces Strong Performance in First Half 2011

Sales volume up 10 percent and transactions 5 percent

AMSTERDAM August 22, 2011 - Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), a global leader specialized in business travel and meetings and events management, today announces that its sales volume for the first half of 2011 was US$13.4 billion, representing a 10 percent increase compared to the same period in 2010 (on a constant currency basis). Transactions rose 5 percent 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 percent, followed by Latin America (12 percent), North America (11 percent) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (9 percent).

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 travelers and travel programs
Since the beginning of 2011, CWT has introduced a number of product innovations designed to make travelers' lives easier while supporting travel program objectives. CWT To Go ^TM allows travelers 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 program 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 traveler experience at the same time as focusing on savings was emphasized 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 Traveler Services: Finding the Right Fit .
 

About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) is a global leader specialized in managing business travel and meetings and events. CWT serves companies, government institutions and non-governmental organizations 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 program in terms of savings, service, security and sustainability. The company is also committed to providing best-in-class service and assistance to travelers. CWT services and solutions comprise Traveler & Transaction Services, Program Optimization, Safety & Security, Meetings & Events and Energy Services. In 2010, sales volume for wholly owned operations and joint ventures totaled US$24.3 billion. Carlson Wagonlit Travel supports the global healthcare initiative known as MASSIVEGOOD, which enables travelers 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
Tom X. Scott
Senior Director, Public Relations
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
phone +33 (0)1 41 33 67 57
mobile +33 (0)6 04 51 90 14

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