Direct Travel, a prominent travel management company based in Centennial, Colorado, has announced its acquisition of British travel firm ATPI. This strategic move aims to enhance Direct Travel’s global footprint and leverage the combined strengths of both companies. The acquisition was revealed on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the travel management industry.
The collaboration between Direct Travel and ATPI is set to generate over $6 billion in annual total travel volume, encompassing corporate and leisure travel, events, and specialized travel sectors. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the partnership is expected to create synergies that will benefit clients across a broader market.
ATPI, recognized for its leadership in international travel management, has a presence in over 90 countries. Approximately two-thirds of its business is concentrated in specialty markets, including oil, mining, and energy. In contrast, Direct Travel primarily serves the U.S. and Canadian markets, with corporate travel comprising about two-thirds of its operations.
According to Christal Bemont, CEO of Direct Travel, the two companies have developed a strong collaborative relationship over the years. “We’ve been supporting over 100 customers together,” she stated, highlighting the alignment in customer care despite the two organizations operating separately. The merger is anticipated to enhance customer experience, allowing for a more seamless integration of services.
In a statement, Ian Sinderson, CEO of ATPI, expressed confidence in the merger, saying, “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.” Following the merger, the combined entity will operate under the name Direct Travel and ATPI, with Bemont continuing as CEO and Sinderson taking on a presidential role overseeing various groups within the organization. The new company will employ approximately 4,400 people globally.
Bemont, who joined Direct Travel in April 2024, has focused on advancing the company’s technology to enhance customer service. She noted that the travel management industry faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted many companies and their technological advancements.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) indicates a robust recovery for the business travel sector, forecasting that global business travel will reach a historic high of $1.57 trillion by 2025. However, the association also projects a more modest growth of 6.6% for this year, attributed to ongoing global tensions and uncertainties regarding policies.
In 2022, the business travel industry supported approximately 98,541 jobs in Colorado, generating total wages and income exceeding $5.5 billion, according to a GBTA report released in 2024. As the travel landscape continues to evolve, the merger between Direct Travel and ATPI positions both companies to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the global travel market.
