DENVER — Direct Travel, Inc. has expanded its global footprint with the acquisition of ATPI, its long-time strategic partner.

The move positions the combined company as one of the largest travel management providers in the world, driving more than US$6 billion in annual travel volume across corporate, leisure, events and specialized sectors.

The acquisition builds on years of collaboration between the two companies to serve international corporate clients. Together, they will accelerate the rollout of Direct Travel’s Avenir Travel Edition, a next-generation platform designed to enhance the traveller experience, provide travel managers with real-time data and create new opportunities 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, 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 a range of sectors and of all sizes and locations. Together, we will redefine what it means to offer The Perfect Trip on a global scale.”

Headquartered in Manchester, UK, ATPI is one of the industry’s most established travel and event management companies, with a network that spans over 100 locations on six continents. The company is known for its tailored services in various industries like corporate, energy, marine, sports and mining, bringing expertise to sectors that require highly specialized solutions.

“ATPI and Direct Travel have long held a shared vision for reimagining how the world connects, underpinning a successful commercial partnership,” said Ian Sinderson, CEO, ATPI. “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. By bolstering our already strong position in travel technology and highly specialized travel support, we will combine to provide a compelling alternative to mega-agencies for global travel throughout our range of extensive geographic markets and business lines.”

Direct Travel has signalled its intent to build on ATPI’s strengths, particularly in specialty industries. With growing demand for travel solutions in energy, marine, sports and mining, the company plans to further invest in technologies and services tailored to these markets.