The Business Travel Association (BTA) has rolled out a new accreditation scheme for its travel management company (TMC) members, designed to provide buyers with an independent benchmark when assessing suppliers.
The scheme will be open exclusively to BTA member TMCs and will require participants to undergo assessments covering areas including financial stability, data protection, insurance and professional competence. Only companies meeting the required criteria will be able to display the accreditation.
The BTA said the initiative was developed in response to a lack of consistent, independent standards available to procurement teams when evaluating TMCs.
The association said the scheme aims to raise standards across its TMC membership, provide businesses with a clearer indicator of quality and strengthen trust and transparency within the sector.
Clive Wratten, CEO of the BTA, said: “This accreditation scheme represents a significant step forward for our industry. It not only recognises excellence among our members but also gives businesses the assurance they need when choosing a TMC. Our goal is to create trust and build on high standards in the industry.”
Several TMCs have already committed to the accreditation process, including Inntel, Clarity Business Travel, Key Travel, Direct Travel, Wings Travel Management, arrangeMY, Good Travel Collective and Munro’s Travel.
Douglas O’Neill, CEO of Inntel and Chair of the BTA Board, added: “For too long, the industry has lacked a consistent, independent benchmark for assessing professional credentials. As a BTA member, we’re proud to be among the first TMCs aiming to secure this new accreditation, which helps address that need. It’s a major step forward for the TMC community and a win-win for both agencies and procurement teams.”
