Carlson Wagonlit Travel launched a central reservation platform
designed to ease booking at independent hotels not available through global
distribution system channels. Buyers can load contracted rates into the CRS by
CWT tool and access them through online booking systems or CWT agents.
"In the past, when certain hotels were not available
through the traditional GDS route, a CWT agent or traveler would have to be
very resourceful to find a suitable hotel nearest to the client's remote site,"
according to CWT vice president for global customer product marketing Pauline
Quere. "These properties are often small, local, independent hotels, and a
phone call or email would be necessary to reserve them."
CWT estimates about 50 percent of combined hotel bookings in
Europe, the Middle East and Africa are at properties not available through GDS
channels.
The tool also lets buyers add employee accommodations owned by
their companies, making them accessible through online tools and agents.