TMC (Travel Management Company)

A company that manages business travel — arranging bookings, support and reporting for corporate clients. TMCs typically combine an online booking tool with human agents who handle complex itineraries, changes and traveller emergencies. Many also negotiate supplier rates on behalf of their clients and consolidate spend data across the travel programme.

Traditionally, TMCs worked mainly offline: an employee or travel coordinator sent a request by email or phone, and an agent came back with several options to choose from. Today, most TMCs combine that service with technology. Clients book routine trips themselves through a self-service tool, while agents step in for complex routes, group travel, visa questions or disruptions such as cancelled flights. Many TMCs also provide consolidated invoicing, account management and travel programme consulting.

TMCs usually earn money through service or transaction fees, supplier commissions, markups, or a combination of these. When choosing a TMC, companies look at the transparency of its pricing, the breadth of available inventory, the quality and availability of support (ideally 24/7), its reporting capabilities and how easily its tools integrate with the company's finance and HR systems. Pricing models can differ significantly, so it is worth comparing the total cost of a trip rather than the fee alone.

Tumodo, an IATA-certified company, combines the technology of an online platform with the service of a TMC. Companies book flights, hotels, rail and car transfers through one self-service platform, while a 24/7 support team handles changes, urgent requests and special arrangements such as concierge services. Each client has a dedicated account manager, and Tumodo works on a transparent service fee model with prices direct from suppliers and no hidden markups.