CWT to Roll Out New Booking Tool in China

In the chase for travel management dominance in the Chinese market, CWT made a bold stride today, launching a completely re-platformed MyCWT product, which will replace CWT Online starting in the second quarter. According the company, the open-API architecture will allow the platform to connect with both the third-party supplier community as well as with clients' internal systems to provide a broad selection of products, services and content. CWT said it has piloted the platform with "a few" major clients.

For travelers, the new platform promises to ease the pains of traditional corporate travel booking platforms in the market. Namely, there's a mobile-first orientation, which is key to gaining traction with China's tech-savvy culture. “Given China’s high-tech, mobile-oriented pace of life, we are excited to launch a digitally-driven customer experience here that helps clients and employees in this dynamic market achieve their true potential," said CWT CEO Kurt Ekert in a statement.

Users will be able to connect with CWT through multiple channels, including a mobile-friendly website, a mobile app, live chat messaging, email and phone calls. They can initiate a booking through one touchpoint, and then pick up where they left off on another.

According to the company, travelers and arrangers can also manage all aspects of their trips, from re-booking or making changes to cancelations and refunds, online check-in, seat selection for trains and flights, hotel room preferences and visa consultation services or reach out for support, through any channel.

Payment is a critical question in the Chinese market—if mobile bookings are key, so is integrated mobile payment. In China, that means AliPay or WeChat Pay, which handle 90 percent of mobile transactions in the market. MyCWT has both mobile payment providers covered, in addition to traditional credit cards and UATP.

“The MyCWT platform in China has been purpose-built for this market, keeping in mind the priorities and expectations of our customers and their employees,” said CWT's China general manager Albert Zhong. The company emphasized, however, that despite its local nuances, the platform integrates seamlessly with its global platforms.

“We want to ensure that we’re offering a digital experience that is second to none," Zhong added. "Combined with the deep expertise and servicing capabilities we have around the world, it makes us the perfect partner for fast-growing Chinese companies who are expanding their footprint overseas, and for global multinationals who need help managing their travel in China.”

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