What does a corporate travel manager do? Understanding the travel management company partnership
A corporate travel manager oversees their company’s travel program and facilitates the organization’s relationship with their travel management company.Through the travel management company partnership, travel managers can develop a strategic plan for their travel program, outline and enforce travel policies, oversee and monitor employees’ business travel activity, build vendor relationships, create risk management plans for employee travel safety, align expense and reporting needs, ensure the ROI of the overall travel program, and more.
January 5, 2026
A corporate travel manager oversees their organization's travel program and serves as the primary point of contact with their travel management company. It's a role that has grown significantly in scope and strategic importance—and one that looks very different today than it did even a few years ago.
According to a 2024 BCD Travel survey of 187 travel managers worldwide, nearly 8 in 10 say their scope of responsibilities has expanded in recent years, with roles now extending into risk management, expense management, cross-departmental collaboration, and beyond. Today's travel managers aren't just logistics coordinators. They're strategists, relationship builders, and program owners who are expected to deliver measurable value to their organizations.
"Just like a musician captivates an audience, a rockstar travel manager inspires confidence. They deliver exceptional service, and they make a real impact on the organization."
—Carol Del Giudice, Account Executive, Christopherson
For organizations with extensive travel requirements—including those that manage group travel, conferences, or executive events—a strong relationship between the travel manager and a travel management company (TMC) is essential to program success. is essential to program success.
What does a corporate travel manager do?
A travel manager's day revolves around aligning the needs of business travelers with the goals and requirements of the organization. Cost control and traveler safety are typically the highest priorities, but the work spans far more than that.
Typical responsibilities include:
Building and maintaining a strategic partnership with a travel management company
Helping with traveler safety through risk management plans and real-time monitoring
Developing a program that serves travelers' needs and supports their well-being
Budgeting and measuring the ROI of the travel program
Working with their TMC Account Manager on vendor contracts and negotiations
Training employees on program policies, processes, and technology
On top of those core responsibilities, the role has expanded to include areas that were once handled by separate departments. Many travel managers now collaborate regularly with finance, procurement, HR, and security teams, and are expected to contribute to sustainability reporting and broader business initiatives.
"You want to be able to establish the goals of what you are looking to do with your travel program. You want to make sure those goals are very clear."
Why corporate travel managers need a strong TMC partnership
Any organization with regular business travel needs should partner with a travel management company. A good TMC doesn't just handle bookings, it gives the travel manager the infrastructure, expertise, and technology to run a program that delivers real results.
Transform program performance
A TMC works with your travel manager to understand your organization's needs, set program goals, and identify the key performance indicators that show whether your program is working. That includes finding the best rates, building vendor relationships, and developing a travel management plan that's tailored to your organization.
Save money on corporate travel
TMCs bring buying power and data that most organizations can't replicate internally. By leveraging your spend volume and patterns, a TMC Account Manager can negotiate better deals with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. They'll also help integrate your travel policy with booking tools to ensure compliance, track and reclaim unused airline tickets, and surface cost-saving opportunities you might otherwise miss.
"A rockstar travel manager knows how to maximize savings while maintaining quality and compliance."
—Carol Del Giudice, Account Executive, Christopherson
Serve travelers 24/7
When employees are on the road, issues don't wait for business hours. Flight cancellations, missed connections, hotel problems, and security situations can arise at any time. A TMC with round-the-clock support gives your travelers a direct line to someone who can solve problems in the moment and gives your travel manager peace of mind that travelers are never on their own.
Save time on program management
Travel managers wear many hats. Researching vendors, monitoring rates, managing unused tickets, and staying current on industry changes all take time that most travel managers don't have. A TMC takes on that operational workload, using technology, experience, and industry relationships to automate processes and keep the program running efficiently.
Keep travelers safe
Duty of care is one of the most important—and most complex—responsibilities a travel manager carries. A strong TMC provides real-time traveler visibility, proactive risk alerts, and a clear framework for responding when something goes wrong. That means knowing where your travelers are, communicating quickly when conditions change, and having the support infrastructure to act fast.
Travel managers need software that gives them a complete, real-time view of their program, and travelers need tools that make booking, managing itineraries, and getting support simple. Christopherson's travel platform, Andavo, provides separate dashboards for travel managers and travelers, self-service reporting, real-time risk alerts, unused ticket management, and more—all on a mobile app available on iOS, Android, and web.
"Data analysis is like getting a backstage pass at a concert. It gives you insight into your program. When showcasing your travel program's success, focus on high-impact metrics—spend trends, traveler behavior, and vendor performance."
—Carol Del Giudice, Account Executive, Christopherson
What should travel managers look for in a TMC?
When evaluating travel management companies, proven experience is the most important factor. A TMC with a strong client retention history has demonstrated that it delivers real value over time, not just during the sales process.
Beyond experience, look for a TMC that provides:
A genuine understanding of your program's unique needs and goals
24/7 traveler support from advisors who know the industry
Consistent, consultative communication from a dedicated Account Manager
Integrated travel technology that serves both managers and travelers
Self-service data and reporting tools that make program performance visible
A track record of helping clients reduce travel spending without sacrificing traveler experience
The selection process typically involves identifying your program's needs, building a shortlist, and requesting demos or sending an RFI or RFP. The best TMC will be able to answer the question that matters most: why should I choose you?
The travel manager's role is only growing
As business travel becomes more complex—with more global destinations, more scrutiny on spend, and higher expectations from travelers—the travel manager's role will continue to expand. The organizations that invest in this function and equip their travel managers with the right TMC partnership will be the ones that get the most value from their travel programs.
"The best travel managers don't just hear traveler concerns—they act on them, using feedback to refine policies and improve programs. This allows you to offer tailored solutions and build real trust in your program."
—Carol Del Giudice, Account Executive, Christopherson
Christopherson Business Travel gives travel managers the technology and the team they need to run a program that performs. Our travel platform, Andavo, provides real-time program visibility from a single dashboard. Our travel advisors average 19+ years of experience and are available around the clock. And our Account Managers work as true partners—proactively reviewing your program, identifying opportunities, and guiding your strategy with 70+ years of industry expertise behind them.
With a 97% client retention rate, Christopherson has earned the trust of organizations that need a travel program that actually delivers.
