The Future of TMC Analytics: From Reporting to Predictive Decision-Making

The travel industry is built on movement, but for many TMCs, reporting remains stuck in the past. Monthly dashboards, static SLA reports, and fragmented data sets mean managers are still looking in the rear-view mirror while trying to steer into the future.

Business travel is more complex than ever. Multi-leg itineraries, sustainability requirements, traveller wellbeing, and unpredictable disruption have become the new norm. For TMCs, the pressure isn’t just to keep pace — it’s to anticipate what’s coming next.

That’s why reporting alone is no longer enough. The future lies in predictive analytics: using data, AI, and real-time SLA insight to move from explaining yesterday to shaping tomorrow.

From hindsight to foresight

Traveller expectations are shifting — corporate buyers are demanding transparency. And as BTN’s 2025 State of the Industry shows, many travel buyers are now re-evaluating TMC partnerships specifically because of technology and data gaps. For agencies still relying on retrospective reporting, that’s a red flag: if you can’t demonstrate agility and foresight, clients will look elsewhere.

McKinsey research reinforces the trend: over 70% of businesses say they will actively consider switching suppliers when core service expectations like real-time responsiveness and transparent SLAs aren’t met. Static reports don’t deliver that confidence — predictive insight does.

The next frontier: predictive and prescriptive analytics

The industry is already moving beyond dashboards. The next wave of TMC analytics will focus on:

Forecasting disruption – using historic patterns, live feeds, and AI models to predict spikes in demand caused by events, weather, or policy changes.
Workload modelling – anticipating enquiry surges so staffing can be adjusted before bottlenecks form.
Proactive SLA management – predicting which cases are most at risk of breach and rebalancing resources automatically.
Personalised insight – sentiment analysis to spot high-value or at-risk travellers, tailoring response strategies accordingly.

In other words: not just reporting what happened, but prescribing what to do next.

Why this matters for TMC competitiveness

BTN data shows TMCs are already under scrutiny: in 2025, they were ranked lowest among supplier categories for delivering service levels buyers expect. At the same time, GBTA polling indicates nearly one-third of buyers are evaluating or changing their TMC this year, with technology cited as a leading reason.

That creates both a risk and an opportunity. TMCs that keep relying on retrospective reporting risk losing ground. Those that invest in predictive, AI-powered insight can differentiate, retain clients, and win new business in an increasingly competitive market.

Lokulus: future-ready by design

Lokulus is building that future today. Our real-time reporting and SLA insight already deliver live visibility and proactive alerts. What comes next is predictive:

AI-driven SLA modelling: Anticipating breaches before they occur.
Workload pattern analysis: Forecasting peaks so teams can be resourced in advance.
Integrated sentiment analysis: Using traveller communications to spot at-risk journeys earlier.
Future-proof architecture: A platform designed to evolve as AI and automation continue to reshape business travel.

This isn’t about creating more reports. It’s about giving TMC leaders the ability to see ahead, act faster, and prove value at every renewal.

Defining the New Baseline

The future of TMC analytics won’t be defined by colourful dashboards. It will be defined by the ability to predict disruption, optimise resources, and safeguard traveller experience before issues ever surface.

Lokulus is leading that shift — moving reporting from static outputs to live intelligence, and from reactive data to predictive action. For TMCs, the message is clear: predictive analytics is no longer optional. It’s the new baseline for competitiveness.

Ready to see the future of reporting in action? Book a demo with Lokulus and discover how predictive insight can give you the edge.