European agents were for the first time invited to talks organised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on industry changes.
Normally such talks are held with IATA staff and airline members, GDSs and other industry partners but not TMCs.
But the two day meeting of a working party in Geneva this week was also attended by representatives of ECTAA/GEBTA, the associations representing European agents.
The working party included members of IATA's "very powerful" Passenger Services Conference Steering Committee, IATA partnership programme managers, GDSs and representatives of ATPCo which handles the distribution of airline fares.
The group discussed re-defining the industry standard for reporting automated pricing of fares.
Tony Berry, Hogg Robinson Group's director for distribution services who represented ECTAA/GEBTA, said he was "delighted" that agents had been invited to such talks for the first time.
"TMCs are keen to be part of this whole industry so we were delighted to be invited. The more you are involved in the industry, the more you believe you have part to play.
"We want to affect changes but you will only do that through groups like this.
"For too long TMCs have sat on the sidelines so this is a considerable step forward for us," he said.
Mr Berry said the working party drew up proposals to streamline the fares process and also provide more guaranteed fares to the TMCs.
He said fares currently went through a number processes before TMCs could sell them. There was also a set of rules under which TMCs had to work, including any changes to the fare.
"Until now it has been quite hazy about what can be done," he said.
The proposals will now go before the Passenger Services Conference and the changes could come into effect in 2009 or 2010.
Mr Berry the changes would bring in a quicker process for TMCS to sell fares and more guaranteed fares.
This would both be better for clients and would also cut down TMCs' administration by reducing the need to check other fares.
He said he expected IATA to hold further working parties with TMCs to discuss other industry issues either later this year or early next year.