Predictions on: Client / TMC relationships

Organisations will require support beyond traditional travel planning from their TMCs

The key word that Reed & Mackay’s senior leadership team return to, when talking about client/TMC relationships, is ‘partnership’. The overwhelming prediction is that TMCs will need to continue delivering support and guidance across wider areas of travel management into 2024 and beyond.

“Because of the breadth and complexity of travel programmes – which includes risk mitigation, sustainability, guidance on DEI, traveller wellbeing – there are more touchpoints with a business.

"This, in turn, means it’s more important than ever to deliver personalised, dedicated service to clients that support them in these areas. It allows them to focus on their business instead,” Stratford says.

Greenland agrees that clients are looking more keenly at whether a TMC provides dedicated service.

“Furthermore, it's about being aligned with the clients' travel objectives,” he says. “That’s why “off-the-shelf” solutions don’t really work. And it's why working with a TMC – which can give clients the most up-to-date advice and guidance on all those touchpoints – can be the most effective way to do this, rather than working with different agencies on each separate element.”