Carlson Wagonlit reports record year
Carlson Wagonlit Travel grew UK turnover by 6% to a record £1.19bn in 2011.
This was despite UK transactions dropping by 1.9% from the previous year, due to public sector downtrading.
"CWT UK’s great performance in 2011 makes it a record year, surpassing 2008 levels, which were the strongest in business travel records," said Patrick Anderson, executive vice president, UK & Ireland, Nordics and Eastern Europe.
"2012 has its own set of challenges for the industry and things are still fragile, however we are encouraged by trading in the first few months that business travel continues to be a bellwether of gradual economic improvement."
Internationally, CWT also announced a record performance, with 2011 sales volume up by 15.2% to US$28 billion.
The number of transactions managed by CWT increased by 7.2% year on year to reach 61.9 million.
CWT said this was down to the retention of over 96% of its existing client-base, new business worth $2.2 billion and the acquisition of three companies – Kaleva Travel, Centenial Group and Net Tours.
"We are seeing strong growth across the industry, despite the unpredictable economic environment," said Douglas Anderson CWT president and CEO.
"Global corporations are more optimistic about their travel spend going forward and certain areas of the world, such as Asia and Latin America, continue to show strong growth."
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season