This new brand in the marketplace creates a global organization with 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. The union was solidified through reciprocal, equal investments between both companies.
“Direct ATPI Global Travel is perfectly aligned to service any company that requires scalable, personal service on a multinational basis in North America and the rest of the world,” says Ed Adams, CEO of Direct Travel. “We are committed to delivering high-end flexible solutions to mid-market clients and believe this new organization accelerates our global growth strategy and underscores our commitment to deliver innovative and differentiated services to clients in our respective markets,” he added.
A joint governing board and leadership structure has already begun managing the day-to-day operations, maximizing potential and ensuring seamless service to multinational corporate clients. 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 similarly operate in Canada under its existing brand. ATPI will operate as such in its global locations and will continue to run its specialized Sports Events and Energy and Shipping divisions separately.
Together, Direct Travel and ATPI represent over $7 billion in sales, having 160+ locations in more than 50 countries, and draw upon over 4,500 team members worldwide to service clients.
Andrew Waller, Chief Executive Officer, ATPI Group, adds, “I am delighted by the opportunity this creates for our mutual clients. 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.”
Direct ATPI Global Travel offers high-touch service, consistently delivered across the globe, with control and operational ownership in every market.
“The combination of Direct Travel and ATPI makes sense for our business,” says Brian Robertson, President, Vision Travel (Ontario West). “It means providing better opportunities for clients to consolidate travel between the North American market and the rest of the world – balancing local expertise with the benefits of global economies of scale,” he adds.
The alignment of technology platforms will integrate global products in the area of profile databases, travel data reporting, safety and security programs and travel portals, giving clients a seamless and efficient global solution.
“We are excited about what this means for our clients,” says Joel Ostrov, President, Vision Travel (Quebec East). “It provides them with the benefits of increased buying power and more choice across a single organization, together with technology expertise and insights from all over the world.”
The focus of the organization will be on continuously driving unrivaled, end-to-end value for global travel clients in North America and across the globe.