Searching for the right TMC: Global vs. local

Welcome to the wide world of travel management companies. If you're in dire need of a travel partner for your business travel, what should you do? You need someone who can whisk you away to various destinations with ease, seamlessly arranging everything from flights to accommodations. But with so many appealing options, how do you choose the right one?

It comes down to the global giants versus the local gems. Both offer unique experiences, but which one suits your business objectives best?

Talk to a travel expert to find the best fit for your corporate travel needs.

Key factors to consider when choosing a TMC

There isn't one best choice for a TMC to work with. The best option for you will depend on your business. While you're sifting through the options, here are six factors to consider:

Film & television expertise

When looking for a TMC, it is beneficial to choose one with expertise in your industry. For entertainment industries like film and TV production there are specific considerations for travel. Remote locations, different itineraries for cast and crew, or last-minute bookings are all common challenges.

Corporate Traveler’s Stage, Screen and Sports team has worked with the film and TV industry for many years, supporting them in their operations in near and far locations around the globe. With proven strategies for this industry and an agile and expert travel manager, Battle Beat Productions was able to manage travel for a large crew and cast with ease, even with their busy schedule of producing 2-3 reality shows per year.

Seamless service delivery

A global travel provider can provide a high level of service no matter what. They have travel managers with experience and expertise in the regions you're traveling to, even if it's new for you! For travel to remote locations, a common situation in the energy and mining industries, a boutique level of service is crucial to managing complex and challenging itineraries.

"There are a lot of intricacies to reaching an international destination, such as transiting the borders, making sure the airlines are set up, and if there is a long layover, you may need a hotel. Working with Corporate Traveler has removed the complexities for Beyond by CT owning the logistics part of coordinating that for us," says Eric Legge, President & CEO of Beyond Energy.

Technology capabilities

Global and local travel management companies often have very different approaches to technology. Global providers might have an all-in-one platform, while local companies have a simple system with real-life customer service doing the heavy lifting.

Think about what you need in terms of itineraries, traveler profiles, price comparisons, policy functions, and in-app support. Melon is Corporate Traveler's legendary tech tool, and you can book, report, expense, chat, and track travel all on the same platform. Plus, bookings in Melon can be made in just five minutes.

Regional expertise

Is the TMC local to the destination? Or is it a global TMC with offices in that country? A regional travel supplier will be familiar with the main airlines, hotels, and ground transportation providers in your area.

This knowledge comes in handy for the New York Mets, especially during their busy Spring Training season. Travel for the Mets means year-round travel, with quick turnarounds and eleventh-hour changes that still need to stay on budget. "You understand us and not only our needs but our wants…from cars to hotels to flights, you're able to fulfill them and find fun and different ways to take care of whatever need we have." says Jan Padron, New York Mets Purchasing Agent.

That focus combined with great service makes all the difference. "The one thing about Corporate Traveler that sealed the deal for us was that we really determined that there was a great alignment of values. It was clear they had the same customer-focused goals as well as recognizing and rewarding their own people for hard work," says Steve Canna, the New York Mets CFO.

Travel partnerships

What can a TMC offer you that you can't do on your own? One special skill is accessing deals and travel industry partnerships. For companies that have previously handled travel internally, there may be unrealized savings and opportunities. Learn more about this in our travel guide on the myths of managed travel.

TMCs often have access to deals and flexible pricing that are unavailable for ad hoc travel bookings. Global TMCs can keep their fees simple and transparent. At Corporate Traveler, our fees include added services like 24/7 support and reporting, but not all TMCs offer a simple pricing model. Make sure you're aware of any hidden costs for added services.

Personalized service

What kind of customer service and support will the TMC offer? Will you contact them by phone, email or live chat? At Corporate Traveler, clients have a dedicated travel manager they get to know and can rely on.

And for most business travelers, it's important to have support available 24/7. Local TMCs may not have full after-hours support or quick turnarounds for emergency assistance. "You have something that goes wrong at 3 am? You need to talk to somebody. The resource of Corporate Traveler, I can't tell you how valuable that becomes getting everyone where they need to get when they need to get there," says Larry Kaiser, Chief Financial Officer of the Houston Rockets.

Global TMCs give a great travel experience

A global travel provider is a travel management company with operations and travel experts in multiple countries. This setup allows them to offer unique advantages like specialized knowledge of international destinations, deeper insight into cultural norms and established networks of travel providers.

Global TMCs give you global rates. Their negotiation strength can secure competitive deals you won't find anywhere else. Bring on the savings! You can also expect all-in-one technology solutions that book, manage policy, and reach travelers online.

Global reach makes duty of care that much easier with constant support. Company obligations are supported with 24/7 support, emergency assistance, and tracking technology.

Need specific pricing? That's easy. Global TMCs have the luxury of being flexible.

The downside is that with some global TMCs, you're just a number. With call centers that process thousands of customers, you might lose the personal touch of other types of TMCs. Global TMCs are also the best fit for larger travel budgets. If your travel spend is considered 'small' by a global TMC, you might be a lower-priority client. For global TMCs, ask what the average budget is for their customers.

Local TMCs level with you

Working with a local TMC can be a great choice. You can build strong relationships with a partner in your own backyard and reinvest in your local economy.

A clear point of contact who you can have on speed dial will help you book faster and easier and have travelers' preferences locked and loaded. On the other hand, a local TMC might not have as much access to discounted global rates, access to global programs or advanced technology options.

Getting the best of both worlds

Think about which factors are important to day-to-day travel planning. What matters on every single trip? Then, what unique factors of your business and industry need to be planned for as well? Controlling costs, streamlining bookings, and keeping track of reports efficiently all come down to one thing: which travel management company you work with.

Should you choose a TMC with a global presence or a local feel? Corporate Traveler can offer you the best of both. We're one of the largest global travel management companies out there. Our global negotiation strength can give you access to the best travel perks. Unify your business travel with our global network and local insight to save costs and enhance efficiency, ensuring personalized service every step of the way.

We're big, but we're nimble! New clients are usually up and running in a week if they are not customizing their platform. We also have a five-ring policy when booking with our team. We're dedicated to companies with small to medium travel spending, so our sweet spot is partnering with SMEs. With local offices in countries all across the globe, we deliver global deals with a local, personal feel.

Find out how simple corporate travel can be with the right partner!

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