Carlson chief predicts cuts and consolidations
Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s new chief executive Hubert Joly has hinted he will cut costs and carry out further acquisitions over the next three years.
Three months into his new job, Mr Joly outlined his strategy and said he expected future trading conditions to be tough.
“The next few years will continue to be characterised by corporations looking for savings in their travel budgets and quality services for their travellers, along with a great deal of fluctuations and challenges in the procurement of travel, as well as further consolidation of the travel management industry,” said Mr Joly.
He added CWT’s mission was to be the ‘leanest travel transaction processor’ in terms of cost, quality and service.
Mr Joly said it had several key strategies to help achieve its goals. It was vital, he claimed, to successfully integrate recent acquisitions such as Protravel in France, Maritz Corporate Travel in the US and Onboard in Germany.
CWT also planned to lead the global trend in self-booking and expand its consulting, programme management and outsourcing services.
Mr Joly said hotel spend often accounted for half of a corporation’s travel budget, so it was vital to take advantage of opportunities in that sector.
CWT also plans to penetrate more global, mid-sized and small companies and expand in markets throughout the world.
“CWT is approaching the next three years from a position of strength as one of only two truly global travel management companies in a market that has started to rebound,” said Mr Joly.
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