Direct Travel Launches Avenir: Travel Edition to Simplify Business Travel and Reduce Out-of-Policy Bookings

Powered by Spotnana and backed by Direct Travel’s world-class experts, the new platform redefines the managed travel experience on a global basis

/EIN News/ -- Denver, CO, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Direct Travel, Inc., a market leader in corporate travel management, today announced the launch of Avenir: Travel Edition, an open, next-generation travel platform powered by Spotnana Cloud for TMCs and supported by Direct Travel’s global network of travel experts. Built to streamline and modernize the managed travel experience, Avenir offers travelers intuitive booking, gives travel managers unmatched visibility and control, and delivers always-on support for organizations of all sizes.

Avenir: Travel Edition is a modern travel platform designed to address the limitations of closed and fragmented systems. Built on a cloud-native, API-first infrastructure, it delivers the control, content, and traveler experience organizations need to thrive in today’s dynamic business and economic environment.

As an early adopter of Avenir: Travel Edition, ZS Associates—a global professional services firm specializing in pharmaceutical consulting and medical technology—is leading the way in building a more modern, traveler-centric approach to managed travel. With a strong focus on employee experience and innovation, ZS is partnering with Direct Travel to deliver a streamlined booking experience, unlock access to the industry’s broadest range of content, strengthen duty of care through elevated customer support, and gain the data-driven insights needed to fully optimize their global travel program.

The new edition empowers travel managers to maintain a competitive edge by:

• Smarter cost control and increased traveler satisfaction through greater choice, flexibility, and visibility
• Access to the broadest content sources including GDS, direct NDC integrations, and other direct supplier connections
• Fast, personalized booking for travelers with a modern user interface
• Real-time self-service for modifications and cancellations
• One unified platform for booking, service, and compliance—streamlining operations and elevating service continuity

“With Avenir: Travel Edition, we’re reimagining what’s possible in corporate travel and how the world connects,” said Christal Bemont, CEO of Direct Travel. “This isn’t just a platform—it’s a bold leap forward. Avenir brings together intelligent design, real-time insight, and personalized service to transform travel into a true business advantage. It’s our vision brought to life—and one step closer to delivering ‘The Perfect Trip.’”

The need for a better travel experience has increased in recent years with more travelers booking out of policy on off-platform consumer sites given the complexity of current travel programs. Findings from a recent Direct Travel and GBTA survey indicate that inconsistent service quality (41%) and poor technology and user experience (36%) are the top pain points in current travel programs. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of travel managers acknowledged wanting better integration between TMCs and booking platforms to improve service continuity. Avenir: Travel Edition provides travel managers with high-tech, high-touch support for every piece of the traveler journey—content, servicing, data, and compliance–ensuring a more unified, meaningful and seamless experience to business travelers. 

“With Avenir, the feedback we’re hearing from our travelers is that booking a business trip finally feels modern and intuitive,” said Sarah Hayden, Travel Lead at ZS Associates. “The vision for our program is to be as tech-forward as the industry is ready for and empower our travelers and arrangers to fully self-serve within the tools on which we’ve built our program. Adding in the knowledge of our advisor team amplifies the traveler’s experience and the support we receive from Direct Travel.  As a travel manager, I love that I can keep a pulse on the program through richer data reporting and get the data in real time. It’s a big step forward for both the industry and our program.”

To learn more about Avenir: Travel Edition and for updates on availability of additional features, please visit: http://dt.com/avenir/travel. 

About Direct Travel, Inc.
Direct Travel simplifies the business travel experience by combining advanced technology with personalized human service. Our open-technology infrastructure integrates seamlessly into your systems and workflows, while inviting third-party innovators to build with us—advancing the vision of “The Perfect Trip” through continuous innovation.

Through Avenir, our best-in-class platform developed in partnership with leading technology providers, we offer the industry’s broadest inventory and a modern shopping experience powered by real-time data and deep supplier connections. We deliver complete visibility across the travel journey, making it easier for travelers to plan, book, and manage trips—and smarter for businesses to oversee and optimize their programs. What truly sets us apart is the human thread that ties it all together: an experienced, passionate team dedicated to service and focused on delivering exceptional care at every step.

For more information, visit www.dt.com. 

FINN Partners for Direct Travel
                    directtravel@finnpartners.com