Transparent travel management is back in the spotlight. Headlines about a major TMC overcharging clients by tens of millions have rattled confidence and forced organizations to take a harder look at what is really happening behind the scenes. Travel managers and procurement leaders are under pressure to justify spend, prove oversight and ensure the partners they choose do not put their credibility at risk.
Many leaders tell us the same things: unclear pricing, inconsistent communication and a sense that recommendations do not always match their strategy. When trust breaks down, the consequences land on your desk, not the supplier’s.
These stories highlight an industry-wide truth. Every TMC has a responsibility to act with honesty, clarity and accountability in every interaction. Anything less erodes trust fast.
At ALTOUR, these expectations are not new. They are the standards we work to every day.
Where The Travel Management Industry Is Falling Short
The recent reporting is hard to ignore. A well-known TMC now faces a full audit after admitting to widespread overcharging and revenue misstatements across its European operations, triggering leadership suspensions and major client reimbursements. It has put the spotlight back on transparency, procurement ethics and how clients’ money is handled.
But the headlines only echo what buyers have been feeling for years:
- Some organizations are unsure whether fees are fully disclosed
- Others question whether recommendations truly align with their preferred suppliers
- Many do not have confidence that credits, refunds or savings are being passed back correctly
This is not a small operational concern. It cuts to the core of what a travel-management partner should be.
Putting Our Values In Writing: The ALTOUR Commitment
If a TMC manages your spend, you deserve to know exactly where it goes. We believe transparency is not a marketing claim, it is a risk-mitigation strategy. It protects your travelers, your budgets and your internal stakeholders.
That is why we created The ALTOUR Commitment, a pledge that makes our principles visible and non-negotiable.
What you can expect when you work with us:
- Transparency in every recommendation
You see the full picture, options, pricing and the rationale behind every choice. - Integrity in every transaction
No hidden fees. No overridden rules. No surprises. - Price protection and fairness
If a traveler finds a lower publicly available fare with the same conditions, we refund double the difference. - Respect for your preferred suppliers
We never push partners that conflict with your strategy. - Duty of care without compromise
Real-time monitoring, reliable support and human-led service when things go wrong. - Data privacy and rigorous security
Your data belongs to you. We do not sell it or use it to train AI models. - Independent audits and oversight
We invite verification because transparency should not rely on trust alone. - Human service backed by technology
Smart tools where they add value. People where they matter most.
Click to see the full ALTOUR Commitment.
What This Looks Like Day to Day
Values are only meaningful when you can see them in action. Here are the behaviors our clients experience every day:
- Clear invoicing with line-level detail that finance teams can validate
- Supplier-agnostic sourcing that aligns with your negotiated program
- Straightforward pricing models that you can explain internally
- Full visibility into savings and how they are achieved
- Proactive communication during disruptions, risks or policy issues
- Secure, compliant technology that protects your data end to end
Moment of truth example
Earlier this year, one client asked us to investigate a recurring fare discrepancy on a high-volume route. Our audit team surfaced that the lower fare was appearing after ticketing due to an airline rule change. We not only refunded the difference, we updated our automation rules within hours and prevented future losses. The client told us, “You caught a problem before we even knew it existed. That is what transparency should look like.”
Why This Matters Now
The industry has reached a turning point. Organizations are no longer looking for a TMC that can simply book travel. They want a partner who protects their people, their data and their budgets with real integrity.
At ALTOUR, we have relationships that prove this approach works. Our top 10 clients have been with us for an average of 18 years and our annual retention rate is 98.6 percent. You do not stay with a partner that long unless you are confident in how they operate, how they communicate and how they show up when it matters.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Transparent Travel Management
Transparency will define the next era of travel management. As organizations adopt AI tools, demand real-time data and tighten governance, the TMCs that thrive will be those who operate with open systems, auditable processes and earned trust.
That is the foundation we have built at ALTOUR.
Ready for a TMC That Puts Everything on the Table?
If you expect your travel partner to protect your program, your budgets and your travelers, you should expect them to prove how they do it.
See how ALTOUR delivers clarity, accountability and real value.
Connect with our team or request a transparency review of your current travel program.
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