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CWT’s online booking tool for international travel is a first for the industry
Press release date: 11th September 2012 Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) today announces the launch of its online booking tool (OBT), CWT Online, which makes booking international travel easier for China-based business travellers. This will come as good news to the 140 Irish companies who have China-based offices. An industry-first, CWT Online is the only international OBT currently available in China. CWT Online is powered by TravelSky, the leading provider of information technology and commercial services to China’s air travel and tourism industry. China is one of the world’s fastest growing markets for business travel and CWT has recognised the high demand in this market for innovative products and online solutions to support travellers. Enterprise Ireland recently announced that Irish exports to China grew by 10% in 2011, with the agency aiming for a further increase of 15% in 2012. More than 200 Irish companies currently export to China and 140 of them have offices there. CWT Online gives travellers access to real time international air bookings, including market fares, client corporate fares and specific airline promotional fares. It allows travellers to carry out searches by airline, type of ticket (one way or round trip) and by price. Each quote generated includes lowest fare, corporate fare, itinerary and link to service team information. Available in Chinese and English, CWT Online also incorporates travel policy information. Albert Zhong, general manager CWT China said, “Business travel is continuing to grow and currently Beijing Capital International is the second busiest airport in the world. With the continued growth of air traffic in China, providing our clients with this type of tool and giving them easy access to international online booking facilities sets us apart from the rest”. “Clients can reduce their average ticket price, increase policy compliance, and reduce transaction costs and the internal cost of processing travel. The simplicity of CWT Online really encourages travellers to adopt self-booking”, continued Zhong. CWT Online is a further extension to CWT’s existing OBT for domestic travel in China; available since 2007, it has gained significant online adoption of over 60% among CWT clients. CWT China has further strengthened its strategic relationship with TravelSky to develop an OBT with an international component and interface. Mr Peng Bo, general manager, GDS Business Department, TravelSky Technology Ltd says “we are excited to work with CWT China to bring this functionality to their clients and business travellers”. CWT Online is already being successfully used by two prominent clients in China with excellent results. CWT China is currently incorporating the tool within all China-based clients’ travel programmes. About Carlson Wagonlit Travel CWT is a global leader specialising 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 2011, sales volume for wholly owned operations and joint ventures totalled US$28.0 billion.
TravelMedia.ie Niamh Waters Michael Collins Michelle Ryan Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TravelMedia_ie and on Facebook at www.facebook.ie/TravelMedia.ie
This press release has been sent by TravelMedia.ie on behalf of Carlson Wagonlit Travel. |
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