Direct Travel, a prominent travel management company based in Colorado, has announced its acquisition of British firm ATPI, marking a significant expansion of its global footprint. This strategic move aims to enhance their combined capabilities in corporate and leisure travel, event management, and specialized travel sectors.
The announcement was made on Monday, revealing that the two companies together will manage over $6 billion in annual travel volume. While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, the acquisition is expected to create a more integrated service offering for clients.
ATPI has established itself as a leader in the international travel management arena, boasting a presence in over 90 countries. According to Direct Travel CEO Christal Bemont, approximately two-thirds of ATPI’s business focuses on specialty markets, which include sectors such as oil, mining, and energy. This complements Direct Travel’s primary focus on corporate travel within the U.S. and Canada, where corporate travel constitutes about two-thirds of its business.
Bemont noted the long-standing collaboration between the two companies, having supported over 100 customers together in recent years. “While we have been aligned in our commitment to customer care, operating as separate organizations has not always been optimal for the client experience,” she explained.
The merger is anticipated to streamline operations, allowing the newly formed entity to function more cohesively. Ian Sinderson, CEO of ATPI, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Bringing our two organizations together will enable us to better serve clients collectively, through the combination of our specialized services, innovative technologies, and highly skilled customer teams.”
Direct Travel will retain its name post-acquisition, with Bemont continuing as CEO and Sinderson taking on a presidential role within the organization. The merger will result in a workforce of approximately 4,400 employees, combining the talents and expertise of both companies.
Bemont, who joined Direct Travel in April 2024, is focused on enhancing technology to align with the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service. She pointed out the challenges faced by many travel management companies during the pandemic, noting that while business travel has rebounded, not all companies have successfully adapted to the evolving landscape. “Many have struggled with technology and service following significant layoffs,” she added.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) held a conference in Denver in July 2024, where it projected that global business travel spending is set to reach a historic high of $1.57 trillion in 2025. However, the GBTA also indicated that the growth rate for this year is expected to be modest at 6.6%, due to ongoing global uncertainties surrounding tariffs and policies.
In Colorado alone, the business travel sector supported approximately 98,541 jobs and generated $5.5 billion in wages and income in 2022, according to the GBTA’s report released earlier this year.
As Direct Travel and ATPI embark on this new chapter together, they aim to redefine the travel management landscape, ultimately delivering enhanced services and innovative solutions to their clients worldwide.