After announcing earlier this year it wanted to form closer links with accommodation suppliers, the Guild of Travel management Companies (GTMC) has signed up five heavyweight hotel partners, including Wyndham and Starwood.
It is the first time the Wyndham Hotel Group, which has 7,100 hotels worldwide, has joined the GTMC, while Starwood returns to the association after an eight-year absence.
Hilton Hotels, Marriott International and Fairmont Hotels have upgraded from associate status to become full partners.
Anne Godfrey, GTMC's CEO, said: "The increased interest from hotel companies clearly illustrates the value placed on the GTMC's influential membership and the level of business that can be achieved."
Paul Wardlow, Starwood's director of global corporate transient sales, EMEA, explained why the hotel group had decided to return. "As Starwood's continued global growth is reflective within both the business travel community and corporate travel as a company we fell it is right to partner with GTMC and its members. Starwood has also now resourced an account management team against our TMC partnerships which shall ensure we leverage and deliver."
Earlier this year, the GTMC announced it would restructure its relationship with suppliers, and try to "encourage greater involvement" from hotel partners.
Kate Archer, Wyndham's director of global sales, commented: "We have seen renewed motivation by their new leadership team towards working with supplier members and truly believe the association will add support to Wyndham Hotel Group's overall sales efforts.
"The GTMC's recent Business Travel Manifesto and their ambitious expansion plans for new members, can only serve to enhance the image of the GTMC and their supplier partners."