Direct Travel Expands Global Footprint with ATPI Acquisition

Direct Travel, a leading travel management company headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, has announced its acquisition of British travel company ATPI. This strategic move is set to enhance Direct Travel’s international presence and expand its global reach in the corporate and leisure travel sectors, with an anticipated annual total travel volume exceeding $6 billion.

The official announcement was made on a recent Monday, marking a significant milestone for Direct Travel, which has been operational for nearly 50 years. Details regarding the financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. Nonetheless, the integration of ATPI, known for its strong foothold in international travel management, is expected to bolster the capabilities of both companies significantly.

ATPI has established a presence in over 90 countries, primarily focusing on specialty markets such as oil, mining, and energy. In addition to its travel management services, ATPI also specializes in event management but has limited operations in North America, where Direct Travel primarily operates. About two-thirds of Direct Travel’s business revolves around corporate travel, indicating a complementary alignment between the two firms.

In a statement, Direct Travel CEO Christal Bemont highlighted the collaborative history between the two organizations. “We’ve been supporting over 100 customers together,” Bemont said. She emphasized that while both companies share a commitment to customer service, their separate operations did not always yield the most optimal experience for clients.

The merger is anticipated to create a more seamless service model for customers. “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,” said Ian Sinderson, CEO of ATPI. Following the merger, the combined entity will operate under the name Direct Travel and ATPI, with Bemont serving as CEO and Sinderson taking on a leadership role as president of various divisions.

The combined workforce will total approximately 4,400 employees. Bemont noted that she does not foresee significant overlaps between the two companies, identifying the merger as a synergistic rather than duplicative effort.

Since joining Direct Travel in April 2024, Bemont has been focused on advancing technology to enhance customer service. She previously worked with Steve Singh, the executive chairman of Direct Travel, at Concur, a travel and expense management company. Their collaboration aims to integrate cutting-edge technology into Direct Travel’s operations.

As the business travel sector continues to rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges remain for many travel management companies. According to Bemont, the industry faced significant disruptions, leading to layoffs and a decline in service quality. The Global Business Travel Association predicts that global business travel will reach a historic high of $1.57 trillion by 2025. However, the association also forecasts a moderate growth rate of only 6.6% this year, amid global uncertainties regarding tariffs and policies.

In Colorado, the business travel industry supported approximately 98,541 jobs and generated $5.5 billion in total wages and income in 2022, according to the travel association’s report released earlier this year.

As Direct Travel and ATPI move forward with their merger, the focus will remain on enhancing the customer experience and delivering innovative travel solutions on a global scale.