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TMC acquisitions are creating one of the most disruptive moments the corporate travel industry has seen in years.
For many buyers, change is no longer optional. Travel programmes are being migrated, operating models reshaped, and long-standing relationships redefined, often with limited clarity on what comes next. Travel Managers are left asking a fundamental question.
Will this new reality still deliver what our business and travellers need?
As more organisations actively shop, or prepare to, in 2026, this moment represents far more than a supplier change. It is a rare opportunity to step back, reassess, and make a deliberate choice about the future of your travel programme.
Acquisitions create uncertainty by default. New technology roadmaps, new account management structures, and new priorities competing for attention.
The danger is not disruption itself. It is defaulting into a future that no longer fits.
Inaction is still a decision. And often, it is the one that locks programmes into misalignment for years to come.
There is no universally correct path forward. The right decision depends on your business objectives, traveller needs, and appetite for change.
Staying can be the right choice if it is intentional.
Key considerations include:
This can also be an opportunity to reset expectations, improve governance, and resolve long-standing friction points.
Some organisations will decide that the new reality does not align with where they are headed.
Choosing to go requires:
Without clear requirements, moving often results in recreating the same model elsewhere.
For some organisations, disruption becomes a catalyst to reassess how their programme is designed.
Rethinking focuses on understanding what your business truly requires from travel today and in the future. It often involves:
This path typically requires greater investment in time, capability, and change management, but offers the strongest foundation for long-term adaptability.
– Lora Ellis, Head of Consulting "Change is already underway. What matters now is determining the level of transformation and resources required to support future business and traveller needs."
