ATPI Group and Direct Travel join forces and share tech

Collaboration involves aligning profile databases, travel data reporting, safety and security programmes and travel portals Continue reading →

The ATPI Group has joined forces with fellow travel management company Direct Travel.

The collaboration of the British and American firms will form DIRECT ATPI Global Travel and involves aligning their technology platforms including profile databases, travel data reporting, safety and security programmes and travel portals.

The new brand creates a global organisation which says it has a value-centric focus on providing flexible corporate travel solutions to mid-market companies with a presence in North America and elsewhere in the world. Both companies made reciprocal, equal investments.

Andrew Waller, chief executive officer, the ATPI Group said: “The combination of the two companies under shared ownership creates a unique and unrivalled global proposition which enables us to provide a single offering for our products and services.”

Ed Adams, chief executive officer, Direct Travel, added: “We are committed to delivering high-end flexible solutions to mid-market clients and believe this new organisation accelerates our global growth strategy and underscores our commitment to deliver innovative and differentiated services to clients in our respective markets.”

A joint governing board and leadership structure has already begun managing the day-to-day operations.  ATPI will continue to operate in its locations around the world and run its specialised Sports Events and Energy and Shipping divisions separately.

Direct Travel will continue to operate under its existing brand in the US, and Vision Travel, which joined forces with Direct Travel earlier this year, will operate in Canada under its existing brand.

Together, the ATPI Group and Direct Travel represent over $7 billion in sales and have more than 160 locations in more than 50 countries.

Graham Ramsey, chairman, the ATPI Group said: “This new global organisation formed between the ATPI Group and Direct Travel fits with our long term strategy of continued growth in the North America market.”