CWT names Bindu Bhatia as new managing director, Asia Pacific

Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the global travel management company, has announced Bindu Bhatia will become the new managing director, Asia Pacific, effective 1 September. Bhatia succeeds Kai Chan, who will be leaving the company on 31 August after making significant contributions during her five-year tenure. “Asia Pacific is the world’s fastest-growing market for corporate travel – there are huge opportunities here,” said Kurt Ekert, CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel. “Bindu is perfect for her new role: with her proven entrepreneurial skills, commercial savvy, and deep understanding of the global travel market, she will hit the ground running.” Bhatia has been with the company for more than 20 years in a number of key roles, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Global Program Management, where she has looked after CWT’s biggest global clients. Bindu has extensive leadership experience in strategic client management, operations, people management, and business development. Reporting to Kelly Kuhn, Chief Customer Officer, she will soon be relocating to CWT’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, where she will have responsibility for approximately 3,000 people across nine countries. Ann Marie Stone will be taking over Bhatia’s current role, also effective 1 September, reporting to Cathy Voss, executive vice president, global program solutions. Ann Marie has been with the company since 2000, most recently serving as vice president, global program management. The Asia Pacific nations notch up growth rates in the high single digits, year after year. CWT is a key player here, with local teams who understand the culture, client needs, market dynamics, and regulation across this diverse region, and each year we book travel for millions of travellers across Asia Pacific. Recognizing that success, CWT has been named Best Corporate Travel Agency in Asia Pacific at the TTG Travel Awards for the past five years running. CWT is evolving into the world’s first truly digital travel management company, investing significant resources in technology and people to achieve that goal.