Direct Travel, a U.S.-based travel management company (TMC), has acquired ATPI, a U.K.-based TMC for an undisclosed amount.
The two companies have been strategic partners for a number of years with Direct Travel focused on corporate and leisure travel as well as meetings and events in North America and ATPI taking over in the markets where Direct Travel does not have a presence. ATPI is also a specialist in corporate travel for the energy sector.
"They have done a phenomenal job in the markets and in the areas where we haven't put that attention or had that focus. What has been missing is that customers want one company to work with," said Christal Bemont, CEO of Direct Travel.
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Bemont said that while the two companies have a similar culture and philosophy, it is still two different companies in the eyes of customers who she said want "a single way of operating."
She said the ATPI team as well as both brands would remain post acquisition. Bemont also said that part of the plan is to bring Direct Travel's Avenir Travel Edition technology to a wider audience. Avenir, which is built on the Spotnana platform, was unveiled earlier this year.
ATPI is a TripStax user but spun the technology out as a standalone company in early 2022. Bemont said that Avenir and TripStax have different offerings with the former focusing on the content and booking while TripStax focuses on crew and employee management.
Direct Travel also acquires any stake ATPI has in TripStax.
"I see them more as complementary than having overlap," she said. "We've been working with customers to really think about what their needs are with a modern technology stack."
Bemont also said Direct Travel and ATPI would continue to support customers on the booking tool of their choice.
“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 of 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."
Travel entrepreneur and Concur founder Steve Singh led a group of investors that acquired Direct Travel in April 2024.
The move follows other recent consolidation in the corporate travel management market including Trip.com Group's corporate travel arm Trip.Biz acquisition of Key Travel's business in Europe. U.S.-based Globespan Travel Management acquired Key Travel's U.S. division.