How to maximise the value of your travel management partnership

The value of professional travel management has evolved well beyond booking flights and hotels. Modern Travel Management Companies (TMCs) deliver strategic support that touches every part of the travel experience, from cost control and data analysis to sustainability, duty of care, and traveller engagement.

To get the most out of your TMC, it’s important to treat them as a strategic business partner, not just a service provider. This article explores how to maximise your partnership and drive greater return on investment (ROI) from your corporate travel program.

Best practices for maximising the value of your TMC

Managing a company’s travel program can be an evolving task. To maximise the value of your TMC partnership, consider the following:

1. Set clear objectives and goals

Start by aligning your business goals with your travel program objectives. Discuss employee engagement and retention strategies, cost management, traveller experience, and sustainability priorities with your TMC to ensure all objectives are integrated into policy design. A traveller-centric program that balances compliance and well-being promotes adoption and supports better performance across the business.

2. Provide training and education

Empower every stakeholder, from travellers to approvers, with clear guidance on travel policy and tools.

Your TMC should offer flexible training options, such as:

• on-demand videos and webinars
• in-person workshops and product demos
• policy refresh sessions or online modules.

When your people understand the “why” behind your policy, compliance and satisfaction rise together.

3. Use data to drive decisions

Your travel data is a goldmine for insight.

By tracking booking trends, cost categories, and traveller behaviour, your TMC can help you identify:

• leakage and missed savings opportunities
• preferred supplier performance
• policy gaps or compliance challenges.

Choose a TMC that provides intuitive dashboards and real-time reporting so you can quickly turn data into action.

4. Embrace automation and technology

Automation and AI are transforming business travel. Modern online booking tools (OBTs) simplify reservations, while mobile apps keep travellers connected with real-time updates, itinerary access, and safety alerts.

Ask your TMC about:

• their technology roadmap inclusive of AI and automation
• self-booking adoption strategies
• tools that enhance visibility, reduce manual labour, and improve the traveller experience.

Leveraging technology ensures your program stays efficient and future-ready.

5. Align your travel program with company culture

Your travel program should reflect your organisation’s values. If your business prioritises people and performance, your TMC should do the same, offering solutions that support well-being, flexibility, and sustainability.

A shared culture builds trust, fosters communication, and creates a more productive partnership.

The value of a TMC in procurement

Travel procurement is complex, influenced by market conditions, supplier capacity, and fluctuating rates.

A TMC brings expertise and leverage to help you:

• negotiate competitive corporate rates
• monitor booking compliance and program leakage
• manage group travel, meetings, and events
• report and analyse travel spend effectively.

Large TMCs also offer benchmarking across industries to ensure your deals are competitive and your strategies are optimised.

Global networks and partnerships

For organisations with multinational operations, a global TMC delivers unmatched advantages.

Their worldwide supplier relationships allow access to:

• preferential pricing and discounts
• local expertise and 24/7 traveller assistance
• visa and passport support for international travellers.

Global programs also benefit from consistent reporting, data visibility, and risk management coverage across all regions.

Key takeaways

Partnering with a TMC is essential to navigating the travel landscape and for managing your company’s travel program strategically to deliver an improved ROI.

• View your TMC as a strategic partner, not just a vendor.
• Set clear goals, encourage collaboration, and invest in regular communication.
• Leverage automation, data, and training to enhance efficiency and engagement.
• Align your travel culture and supplier strategy for long-term success.

When managed proactively, your TMC partnership can deliver measurable savings, improved traveller experience, and greater control over your total travel spend.