Has Carlson overtaken Amex as largest travel management company?
Carlson Wagonlit Travel claims it has beaten out Amex as the largest travel management company in the world.
Carlson says it handled $21.3 billion in sales from the fourth quarter of 2006 through the third quarter of 2007. CEO Hubert Joly told Business Travel News that he expects the company to report $22 billion in global corporate sales for 2007.
American Express Business Travel, meanwhile, reported $20.5 billion in global corporate travel sales in 2007, an 11% increase over $18.5 billion in 2006.
“Since Q4 2006, our sales volume has exceeded American Express and for four consecutive quarters we have been ahead of Amex,” Mr Joly. He added:
“This is not a goal in and of itself, but it does confirm the very strong momentum that CWT has accomplished over the last several years, so we are indeed the largest travel management company in the world.”
Amex said it disagreed. “When you factor in joint ventures and small business travel that is managed through the consumer business, we are significantly north of $22 billion,” said an Amex spokesperson.
Report by David Wilkening
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