CWT knocks £12m off government travel costs
Carlson Wagonlit Travel claims it has cut £12 million off the Government’s travel costs through renegotiations with airlines.
The business travel management company says it is launching a new scheme that sees the participation of 19 airlines. CWT says it has negotiated special fares for economy and business class tickets and has now paved the way for Government employees to book one-way fares, so they can search for the best deal.
A spokesman told TravelMole that the figures of £12 million was reached by calculating the difference between the airlines’ published fares and the fares negotiated by CWT. He told TravelMole: “These negotiated fares are fares they [the Government] would not otherwise have got.”
The Government Travel Group was formed by CWT in 1994 and incorporates a committee of Government employees and CWT representatives. It now covers over 160 routes and 1000 fares, and is the travel agent for some, but not all governmental departments.
CWT executive vice president North Europe, Jim Tweedie, said: “The success of the Government Travel Group illustrates how real expertise in travel today and bargaining power can obtain impressive results. We are proud of this initiative and delighted that more travel suppliers like airlines are not only interested but also keen to join the scheme.”
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