TMC (Travel Management Company): The Key to Efficient Business Travel

Thomas Peltier

Marketing & Communication Officer

Sommaire

Toc link

What is a TMC?

A TMC, or Travel Management Company, is a specialized provider that manages corporate travel on behalf of companies. Unlike standard travel agencies, a TMC delivers tailored services and technological tools that help optimize every step of a business trip—from booking to expense tracking, compliance, reporting, and traveler assistance.

The core value of a TMC lies in its ability to reduce costs, enhance traveler experience, and ensure operational control over all travel-related activity.

Why do companies need a TMC?

Growing companies and large corporations face challenges like supplier fragmentation, rising costs, employee safety, and regulatory compliance. A Travel Management Company acts as a strategic partner, providing:

Negotiated rates with airlines, hotels, and car rental providers
A centralized booking platform (SBT – Self-Booking Tool)
Policy enforcement and improved compliance
Detailed travel and expense reporting, including CO₂ emissions
24/7 support for international or time-sensitive travel

The digital shift: what makes a modern TMC?

Today’s TMCs must go beyond service delivery to offer smart, user-friendly digital platforms. A modern TMC provides:

A seamless user experience with consumer-grade interfaces
API integration with ERP, HR, and Finance tools
Real-time CO₂ tracking and sustainable travel recommendations
Automated approval flows aligned with company structure

Fairjungle offers a next-gen TMC experience—fully digital, data-driven, and user-centric.

How to choose the right Travel Management Company?

Beyond pricing, key criteria include:

Global coverage and a reliable supplier network
Transparent fees and service charges
Actionable reporting and analytics
Proven support and crisis management
Flexible travel policy enforcement
Compatibility with SSO, HRIS, and accounting platforms
Sustainability features and carbon footprint tracking

For a full checklist: How to choose the right corporate travel agency

TMC vs SBT vs OTA: what’s the difference?

An OTA (Online Travel Agency) like Booking.com is designed for personal use and lacks control mechanisms.
An SBT (Self-Booking Tool) is a booking interface, often embedded within a TMC platform.
A TMC delivers a full-service solution: platform + service + data + compliance.

Put simply: an OTA is retail, an SBT is a tool, and a TMC is your enterprise travel solution.

The travel manager’s best ally

A TMC isn’t just a service provider. For the travel manager, it becomes:

An operational extension of internal teams
A data provider to optimize travel policy
A single point of contact for HR, Finance, and Procurement
A strategic advisor for improving traveler well-being and reducing carbon footprint

What about SMEs?

Even smaller businesses benefit from a modern TMC:

Save time with streamlined processes
Enforce policies without friction
Control budgets effectively
Gain visibility over all travel activities

Fairjungle offers scalable plans tailored to your business size and goals.

A TMC that supports sustainability

Modern TMCs help clients reduce their environmental impact through:

Emission reporting by trip and traveler
Low-carbon route suggestions (e.g., train vs. plane)
Custom sustainability dashboards
Alerts on non-essential travel

Reference: ADEME – Guide to Sustainable Mobility (FR)

Conclusion

A TMC (Travel Management Company) is a strategic asset for businesses seeking to modernize and optimize their corporate travel programs. From booking automation to CO₂ monitoring, TMCs offer control, insight, and peace of mind.

Fairjungle delivers a new generation of travel management: all-digital, integrated, user-first, and designed to meet the evolving needs of forward-thinking companies.