As the corporate travel landscape continues to evolve, a significant shift is occurring in how companies manage their travel programs. Increasingly, businesses are embracing outsourced travel management as a strategic solution to meet the growing complexities of travel coordination, compliance, and technology. This trend is especially pronounced among midsize companies, but large organizations are also expanding their reliance on outsourced expertise to support both operational and strategic travel functions.
Outsourced travel management refers to situations where professionals handle a company’s travel needs without being direct employees of that company. Instead, they are hired through third-party providers. According to Sara Andell, director of consulting strategy for American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), the demand for outsourced travel managers has nearly doubled since 2019. Today, outsourcing represents the largest segment of Amex GBT’s consulting services, with nearly 100 professionals managing travel for 70 different clients. This surge indicates that more companies are recognizing the value of bringing in external experts rather than hiring in-house travel managers.
Lynne Griffiths, CEO of Sirius Talent Solutions, a firm that specializes in travel-related recruitment, confirms this trend. Over the past 12 to 18 months, she has seen a marked increase in outsourcing across the sector. For many companies—particularly those in the midsize bracket—the decision to outsource stems from a need for expert support without the commitment of hiring full-time staff. Managing corporate travel is becoming more complex, involving not just booking flights and hotels, but navigating sustainability regulations, leveraging sophisticated technology platforms, and analyzing travel data for cost efficiency and risk mitigation.
Even for companies with established travel departments, outsourcing provides valuable support in specialized areas. Louise Kilgannon, head of outsourcing at Festive Road, notes that while travel managers are adept at daily operations, the breadth of required expertise now encompasses sustainability, tech integration, and financial reconciliation. Outsourced roles today extend beyond strategy to include operational tasks such as handling traveler communications, running awareness campaigns, and managing online booking systems.
One major appeal of outsourcing is flexibility. Companies benefit from being able to scale resources up or down without the financial and legal obligations associated with permanent staff. This agility is particularly useful in times of restructuring or when launching short-term projects. Outsourced professionals often work within the client’s systems, using company email addresses and attending meetings, which helps them blend seamlessly into existing teams while allowing the business to retain adaptability.
However, outsourcing is not without its challenges. Access to internal data and stakeholders can be limited for external staff, particularly in heavily regulated industries. From the perspective of the outsourced professionals, while the roles offer diverse experience and exposure, they may occasionally face skepticism from in-house colleagues or be perceived as less committed to the organization.
Despite these challenges, outsourcing is not seen as a threat by insourced travel managers. Instead, it is typically viewed as a form of support that allows in-house teams to focus on strategic priorities. Often, it is insourced travel managers who initiate outsourcing engagements, seeking expert assistance in areas beyond their own bandwidth or expertise.
The rise of outsourced travel management illustrates how companies are adapting to a rapidly changing business environment. As technology, regulation, and global dynamics reshape corporate travel, the demand for flexible, skilled, and specialized support is likely to keep growing. Outsourcing offers a way for companies to maintain efficiency and expertise while remaining agile, and it is poised to remain a central element of travel program management in the years ahead.
