CWT posts stable results

Carlson Wagonlit travel reports steady performance for its business travel activities in 2012, and significant growth in specialized areas, including CWT Meetings & Events and CWT Energy Services. Overall sales volume fell by 1.1% to US$27.7 billion from US$28.0 billion in 2011, and the number of transactions managed by CWT also fell slightly by 0.2% to 61.7 million compared to 61.9 million in 2011. New business sales in 2012 reached USD $1.7 billion. CWT grew most in Latin America, where transactions increased by 21% year over year, enhanced by the additional business from the acquisitions of Net Tours and Centenial Group in 2011, and by operations in Chile and Mexico, which performed particularly well. Transactions in North America, a significant market for CWT, increased by 2.3%, mirroring a more favourable economic environment. Transactions in Asia Pacific decreased by 2.4% year over year, despite strong performance in China and Japan, and dropped by 4.4% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reflecting the economic climate throughout the region in 2012. Douglas Anderson, CWT president and chief executive officer commented: “We are very pleased with our performance over the last year. As a global company with local operations all over the world, our diverse client portfolio has provided stability despite a fluctuating economic climate.”