The latest industry report “Europe's Leading TMCs 2025” by BTN Europe confirms that Germany remains one of the most important business travel markets in Europe.

In a separate country ranking, the report lists the leading travel management companies (TMCs) in Germany - with global players such as American Express Global Business Travel and BCD Travel at the top. Strong medium-sized players such as DER BUSINESS Travel, ADAC Travel Management Services and Lufthansa City Center offices also occupy leading positions.

The relevance of this development once again underlines the commitment of the “Chefsache Business Travel” initiative, supported by leading German TMCs under the umbrella of the German Travel Association (DRV). Their central concern: Business travel planning is not an operational side issue, but a strategic tool for strengthening competitiveness, increasing efficiency, digitalization, employee motivation and sustainability. “Chefsache Business Travel” ensures that this potential is also recognized and used at decision-maker level.

"The strong presence of German TMCs in the current ranking shows how important professional business travel management has become for all companies. 'Chefsache Business Travel' puts this topic where it belongs - on the agenda of company management," says Alexander Albrecht, Chairman of the Business Travel Committee and Board Member of the DRV and Managing Director Germany of BC

Focus on sustainability, efficiency and market adaptation

TMCs are no longer just a booking interface, but are developing into strategic partners for companies. They support companies in the implementation of travel guidelines, compliance with ESG requirements and the digitalization and automation of travel processes. The demand for consulting services is growing - for example to reduce CO₂ emissions or introduce end-to-end processes, i.e. the entire process of a booking, starting with profile data, travel planning, booking, approval, services, billing and transfer.

Many of the TMCs listed in the Germany ranking are actively committed to sustainable travel - for example through CO₂ compensation models, mobility alternatives and strategic advice on digitalization. At the same time, it is clear that the German market is characterized by a particularly strong demand for individual MICE concepts and data protection-compliant, personally tailored VIP services - both factors that place specific demands on travel management. Against this backdrop, “Chefsache Business Travel” advocates flexible, market-oriented objectives in travel management and greater integration of TMC expertise in strategic corporate decisions.

Business travel spend in Germany on the rise

The Germany ranking in the “Europe's Leading TMCs 2025” report shows that TMCs play a key role in business travel management - both operationally and strategically. With a turnover of around 5.2 billion euros, TMCs already accounted for around a third (34%) of the total volume of the German business travel industry in 2022 - a strong signal of their economic relevance.

According to the latest figures from the German Travel Association (DRV), spending on business travel via travel management companies and agencies also increased from 6.5 billion euros (2023) to 6.9 billion euros in 2024. And even though the number of business trips decreased year-on-year from around 116 in 2023 to 107 in 2024, costs continued to rise. Compared to the previous year, around two billion euros more were spent, bringing the total to 47.2 billion euros.

In light of a recent analysis by market research and consulting firm Grand View Research, according to which the German business travel market is expected to grow by around 9.9% per year until 2030, the importance of TMCs continues to grow.