Business travel chief hails new way forward - TravelMole


Business travel chief hails new way forward

Thursday, 07 Mar, 2002 0

The business travel industry has reached a turning point following a year of crisis, according to the President and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, world-wide, Herve Gourio, speaking in London yesterday.

Mr Gourio (pictured with Jim Tweedie, Executive Vice President North Europe – Carlson Wagonlit Travel, left) said: “2001 was a year like no other in the history of business travel. All key players – corporations, travel suppliers, technology companies and business travel management companies – have been shaken from the end of 2000 and increasingly throughout 2001. The tragic events of September 11 can now be seen as a watershed.

“As a result of all the change and upheaval in the marketplace, a new business model is emerging for travel purchasing. The combination of newly defined relationships between those involved in travel, and increased expectations from clients, is leading to a new way of doing business. It is one based on innovation, a win-win approach and the integration of technology at all critical stages within the travel process.”

Gourio underlined the double shift of corporations moving from simply buying travel towards a “true procurement approach”, while Travel Management Companies go from handling travel towards e.bookings and consultancy.

Despite a difficult year, marked by economic slowdown, cost-cutting world-wide and September 11, Carlson Wagonlit Travel reported a sales volume of $11 billion (USD) for 2001.

Commenting on the results, Mr Gourio said: “We were able to withstand the negative impact of a turbulent year due mainly to our ability to adapt our organisation at levels of activity. Other positive factors include productivity gains, strong support from our shareholders, Accor and CCI, and a true global operation.”



 



Most Read

Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns

James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel

Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination

Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics

Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy

Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene

Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee

Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail

Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats

Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence

Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy

Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
TRAINING & COMPETITION

Our emails to you has bounced travelmole.com Or You can change your email from your profile Setting Section

Your region selection will be saved in your cookie for future visits. Please enable your cookie for TravelMole.com so this dialog box will not come up again.

Price Based Country test mode enabled for testing United States (US). You should do tests on private browsing mode. Browse in private with Firefox, Chrome and Safari