Direct Travel Acquires ATPI to Form $6 Billion Travel Management Powerhouse, ETTravelWorld

Direct Travel, Inc., a leading corporate travel management firm, has announced the acquisition of its long-standing partner ATPI, marking a significant consolidation in the global travel management sector. The merged organisation will manage over USD 6 billion in annual travel spend and enhance offerings across corporate, leisure, events, and specialised industries.

ATPI, one of the most established international travel and event management companies, has been a strategic collaborator with Direct Travel for several years. This acquisition represents a natural extension of that partnership, aimed at delivering greater scale, technology innovation, and improved service for multinational clients.

The deal also supports the global rollout of Avenir Travel Edition, Direct Travel’s next-generation platform. The solution is designed to improve the traveller experience, provide travel managers with real-time insights, and create new value propositions for suppliers.

“ATPI has a commanding presence in the international travel management space and a strong history of collaboration with Direct Travel, making them a perfect fit to strengthen our efforts in delivering exceptional service at scale,” said Christal Bemont, CEO of Direct Travel. “This partnership represents a pivotal moment in reshaping managed travel, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions and a seamless experience for clients across sectors and geographies.”

Ian Sinderson, CEO of ATPI, added: “ATPI and Direct Travel have long held a shared vision for reimagining how the world connects, underpinning a successful commercial partnership. Bringing our organisations together will allow us to better serve clients collectively through our combined expertise, technologies, and teams. This will provide a compelling alternative to mega-agencies across our extensive geographic markets and business lines.”

The acquisition also deepens Direct Travel’s presence in specialised markets including energy, marine, sports, and mining. These industries require tailored solutions, and ATPI’s track record of innovation and proprietary technologies provides a strong foundation for expansion.

Jefferies LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Perkins Coie LLP as legal counsel to Direct Travel. Baird served as exclusive financial advisor to ATPI.