Corporate travel’s growing pains signal a tech-driven future

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As dissatisfaction rises with traditional TMCs, travel managers demand smarter tools, better integration, and more control

May 22, 2025

A new survey of nearly 200 corporate travel managers across the U.S. and Canada reveals mounting frustration with traditional travel management companies (TMCs). Key concerns include inconsistent service, weak tech performance, and lack of integration between meetings, bookings, and expenses. With nearly one-third of respondents considering a switch in providers, the findings point to a clear shift: travel managers are ready for a tech-forward future where AI, automation, and seamless platforms define the “perfect trip.” The research underscores broader momentum in the business travel sector toward innovation, driven by leaders like Direct Travel, Spotnana, and Troop.

Key takeaways

TMC dissatisfaction is rising: 41% of travel managers report inconsistent service, and 36% cite poor tech functionality.
Switching providers is on the table: 28% of respondents are considering changing TMCs, citing high costs (89%) and booking friction (57%).
Meetings and travel programs remain disconnected: 66% of meetings take place outside managed programs, and 80% report poor integration between meetings and travel.
Top tech needs identified:
- 55% want automated receipt capture
- 48% struggle with missing expense data
- 64% face problems managing exchanges and cancellations
- Only 13% have access to self-service NDC changes
Travel managers seek smarter tools: Desired features include AI-powered search (45%), centralized meeting and travel platforms (62%), and tighter TMC-to-OBT integration (63%).
Strategic platform response: Direct Travel’s Avenir platform (built on Spotnana) offers integrated global content, automation, and real-time traveler tools, aiming to address these gaps.
Leadership and investment context: Direct Travel was acquired by Concur founder Steve Singh in April 2024, who also leads Spotnana and invests in emerging corporate travel tech like Juno.