Direct Travel Acquires ATPI, Expanding Global Reach in Travel Management
Direct Travel, a travel management company based in Colorado, has announced its acquisition of British firm ATPI, thereby enhancing its global presence. This strategic move will allow the combined entities to manage over $6 billion in annual travel volume across various sectors, including corporate and leisure travel, events, and specialized travel markets.
Founded approximately 50 years ago, Direct Travel operates from its headquarters in Centennial, Colorado. The firm has long collaborated with ATPI, a leader in international travel management with operations in over 90 countries. According to Direct Travel’s CEO, Christal Bemont, the acquisition aims to strengthen their partnership and improve client services. “ATPI has a significant presence in specialty markets, including oil, mining, and energy,” Bemont stated.
ATPI also offers event management services, but its operations in North America have been limited. In contrast, Direct Travel primarily serves clients in the U.S. and Canada, with about two-thirds of its business focused on corporate travel. Bemont noted that the two companies have been working together for several years, supporting over 100 customers collectively. “While we have been aligned in our approach to customer care, our previous separate operations were not optimal for client experiences,” she explained.
The merger is expected to create a more seamless service for clients. Ian Sinderson, CEO of ATPI, expressed confidence in the merger, 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.” Following the merger, the new entity will operate under the name Direct Travel and ATPI, with Bemont serving as CEO and Sinderson taking on a leadership role among various groups within the organization. Together, they will oversee approximately 4,400 employees.
Bemont emphasized that the integration of the two companies is designed to be synergistic rather than duplicative, stating, “We’re kind of two parts of a whole.” She joined Direct Travel in April 2024 and has been focused on enhancing the company’s technology to align with its commitment to excellent customer service.
The travel management sector has faced challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies within the industry struggled to survive, leading to layoffs and a decline in service quality. Bemont noted, “They really got hit, like a lot of other industries. I think they’ve fallen behind in terms of technology.”
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) predicts that business travel worldwide will reach a historic high of $1.57 trillion by 2025. Nonetheless, this year’s growth forecast is limited to a modest 6.6% increase due to global tensions over tariffs and uncertainties surrounding policy changes.
In Colorado, the business travel sector supports approximately 98,541 jobs and generated $5.5 billion in total wages and other income in 2022, according to the GBTA’s report released in 2024. This acquisition by Direct Travel highlights both the resilience of the travel industry and the ongoing efforts to adapt and thrive in a changing global landscape.
