Advantage TMCs report influx of new business

Advantage Travel Partnership members report the return of corporate travel has exceeded expectations, spurred by an increase in new business activity compared with 2019.

Travel management company (TMC) members of Advantage report companies are seeking more support than pre-pandemic given the increased complexity of travel and guidance around traveller wellbeing and sustainability.

Advantage also reports increased business from “corporate clients who reviewed their TMC during or because of the pandemic and are switching to a new TMC partner”.

In a statement, Advantage noted: “Businesses feel they need more support following the assistance required during the travel disruption.”

Advantage also reported some companies with previously unmanaged travel “no longer feel comfortable” acting independently and “want help from a TMC”.

However, Advantage Travel Partnership global business travel director Guy Snelgar noted “some wariness” about corporate travel prospects for 2023, noting “rising costs and inflation might result in corporate belt-tightening”.

Snelgar said: “While the bounce-back of business travel has not been as strong as leisure, there are some positive trends.

“The complexity of the travel landscape during and in the aftermath of the pandemic has proven the value of the travel management company [TMC] and demonstrated that managed travel is a wise investment to ensure not only the best prices but also a robust level of support and hassle-free business travel.”

He added: “The new hybrid world of work presents some challenges when it comes to business travel, but there is demand to ensure teams are meeting face-to-face again and the desire for company interaction is still there.”

Senlgar noted: “There is a large degree of wariness about what 2023 holds, given the worldwide economic situation and the trend for more sustainable travel. I don’t think we’re out of the woods.

“But the trends seem positive and provide a good base for 2023.”