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As the UKs largest independent travel agent Hays Travel, specialises in providing good value, quality holidays alongside excellent customer service.
From its inception, the business expanded steadily with shops cropping up across the north-east. In 1990, the first Hays Travel call centre opened, and in 1995 the Hays Travel Independence Group was formed – a consortium of independent travel retailers retaining their own independence and branding, but benefitting from Hays Travel’s buying power, technology, and back office functions.
2019 saw Hays Travel take a strong lead in the industry and acquired the Thomas Cook retail estate; providing re-employment opportunities to former staff who were made redundant following the collapse of the travel giant.
Another year later in 2020; Hays Travel took over all 20 Tailor Made Travel shops as well as retaining around 100 employees.
Today, Hays Travel has huge buying power and invests heavily in state-of-the-art technology. The company has an award-winning in-house training programme, won Best High Street Large Agency at the Agent Achievement Awards, and is recognised in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, as well as the Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work For’ list.
Fully ABTA, ATOL and IATA bonded, it offers its customers complete financial security, and its independent status means staff are able to offer impartial advice and an extensive range of travel opportunities. The company works with hundreds of suppliers to ensure this.
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16 Jan 25
NEWS
WorldLuxe Travel joins Hays Travel Independence GroupFormer Explorer franchisees, Andy Holbrook and Lewis Miller are beginning 2025 under the Hays Travel ...Read moreWorldLuxe Travel joins Hays Travel Independence Group - News & announcementsFormer Explorer franchisees, Andy Holbrook and Lewis Miller are beginning 2025 under the Hays Travel banner with their WorldLuxe Travel brand. They have joined Hays Travel Independence Group as the first new member of 2025. Dame Irene Hays said: “Stimulating business growth and profitability by working in partnership with our members is at the heart of our Independence Group.” “Our approach remains the same, but now we have the experience of our whole group for advice, a behind-the-scenes operation to support our members to thrive, coupled with sharing some of the best commercial arrangements in the industry.” Andy Holbrook spent eight years in retail management, before travel. He joined Trailfinders and spent two years in their High Street Kensington branch, before taking on a role at the Foreign Office in 2002. Here he spent almost 14 years, including two overseas postings in the Cayman Islands and Berne, becoming Deputy Head of the Caribbean Team in London before he left to establish his own franchise business, AH Escapes. Lewis Miller signed up with Explorer in August 2019 and officially started Your Great Adventures in October of the same year. Although the timing was not ideal, the move gave Lewis a great opportunity to connect with his fellow Explorers. Lewis started in travel at Highgate Travel on a YTS scheme. He then worked as a project manager for a Financial Advisor firm. Lewis said: “For a long time I knew I needed to love what I do, and that’s why I came back into travel.” -
14 Jan 25
NEWS
Hays Travel hails record breaking weekendDespite many areas snowbound, Hays Travel branches record breaking sales last weekend. More than one-third ...Read moreHays Travel hails record breaking weekend - News & announcementsDespite many areas snowbound, Hays Travel branches record breaking sales last weekend. More than one-third of customers booking over ‘Sunshine Weekend’ were new to Hays Travel. The company cites its largest ever peaks advertising campaign and new ‘holiday out of the box’ TV ad as a factor for this. It says May to August 2025 is currently the most popular travel period, followed by winter 2025. Over a fifth of recent bookings are late getaways for this winter. Spain, Portugal, and Turkey are top sellers, with no slowing in the trend towards all-inclusive options. Long haul growth continues, with Australia and the US the most popular choices and cruise bookings are picking up after a slightly slower start than in 2024. Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Hays Travel CO, said: “We’re delighted to have seen strong sales over the weekend. People continue to prioritise their annual holiday and we are seeing a small upturn in average spend by customers.” “I’m so proud of all our colleagues in retail branches across the UK who had a remarkable weekend! We know that customers want to book with a professional travel agent for their expertise and the peace of mind,” added Jane Schumm, Hays Travel’s Retail Director. -
10 Jan 25
NEWS
Dame Irene Hays back on the shop floor for PeaksHays Travel’s senior team, including Dame Irene Hays, were back on the shop floor to ...Read moreDame Irene Hays back on the shop floor for Peaks - News & announcementsHays Travel’s senior team, including Dame Irene Hays, were back on the shop floor to support colleagues in branches during the busy peaks period. Hays Travel directors and divisional / regional sales managers worked in branches across the UK. Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Chief Operating Officer spent the day in Hays Travel Blackburn; Ken Campling, Chief Finance Officer, joined colleagues in Scotland’s Livingston branch; and Jane Schumm, Retail Director, went to Abbeycentre in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Dame Irene Hays joined branch manager Jackie Lovell and her team at Hays Travel Milton Keynes, meeting customers. Dame Irene said: “Our colleagues in branches do an exceptional job caring for our customers all year, but at our peak period in January and February they move to ‘amazing’ level.” “Spending a day on the ‘shop floor’ during this very busy time is a brilliant opportunity for our board members and sales managers to support and encourage our retail colleagues.” Anita Luscombe, Assistant Manager of Hays Travel Milton Keynes, said:” It was great to welcome Dame Irene. She enjoyed interacting with our customers and sharing stories with them. She also spent time talking to everyone in our team.” -
02 Jan 25
NEWS
Hays Travel unveils new TV ad campaignHays Travel has screened the first of three new TV adverts over the festive holiday. ...Read moreHays Travel unveils new TV ad campaign - News & announcementsHays Travel has screened the first of three new TV adverts over the festive holiday. Newly appointed creative agency, Toast TV, produced three versions of the visual concept, showcasing the product variety and service Hays Travel offers its customers. As announced at the group’s overseas conference in Türkiye, Hays Travel is investing more than ever in its turn of year marketing campaign. It plans to adopt an ‘always on’ approach to TV advertising for 2025. Dame Irene Hays said: “Our 2025 peaks campaign will be Hays Travel’s biggest investment in advertising to date. Our focus is on the service, value, and choice we give our customers.” “Our three ads demonstrate the breadth of holiday product we can offer our customers, whether they are planning a long-haul experience, luxury cruise, or family beach holiday.” Hays Travel appointed Toast TV to create the adverts for what will be its biggest ever turn of year campaign. Hays Travel’s internal creative and marketing teams were highly involved in the advert’s production. David McNiven, Hays Travel’s Head of Marketing added: “We wanted to showcase our full range pf products; having three variations does that - and gives us the flexibility to run campaigns based on seasonal trends.” Hays Travel is bolstering the new TV advert with additional spend across all channels, including radio, print, and out of home advertising. -
12 Nov 24
NEWS
Hays Travel Overseas Conference takes off with Jet2holidaysHays Travel branch managers from across the North East region, and head office colleagues, are ...Read moreHays Travel Overseas Conference takes off with Jet2holidays - News & announcementsHays Travel branch managers from across the North East region, and head office colleagues, are in Turkey for Hays Travel’s annual Overseas Retail Conference in Antalya this week. Their travel was supported by headline sponsor and long-term partner Jet2holidays. The flight was one of four specially chartered planes heading to the destination for the conference taking place until 15 November. Flights also departed from Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol airports. “Our overseas conference is a highlight of the year – it’s when we can connect with our branch managers from across the UK all under one roof, to thank them for their excellent work,” said Dame Irene Hays. “I am very grateful to Jet2holidays for their amazing support, and to the whole team at Newcastle International Airport – as well as Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester.” Alan Cross, Director of Travel Agent Relationships at Jet2holidays said: “We are delighted to help our partner, Hays Travel Group, get their conference off to the best of starts.” Hays Travel will welcome over 700 delegates to the Ela Excellence Resort Belek, Turkiye, for its annual Overseas Retail Conference. The full schedule features guest speakers, expert panel discussions, supplier showcases, and networking events. The event is themed: ‘In it for the Long Haul’ – spanning not just the growth in travel to far-off destinations, but also building loyalty in colleagues, customers, and partners. Headline and gold sponsors supporting the conferences are Holiday Extras, Jet2holidays, Mastercard, Princess, Silversea, Attraction World and Universal Parks and Resorts.Related News Stories:
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03 Nov 24
NEWS
Hays Travel preps for Overseas ConferenceHays Travel is gearing up to welcome over 1,100 delegates to the Ela Excellence Resort ...Read moreHays Travel preps for Overseas Conference - News & announcementsHays Travel is gearing up to welcome over 1,100 delegates to the Ela Excellence Resort Belek, Turkiye, for its annual overseas conferences this month. It has a packed schedule featuring guest speakers, expert panel discussions, supplier showcases, and networking events. It will explore the theme ‘In it for the Long Haul’ – spanning not just the growth in long haul travel, but also building loyalty in colleagues, customers, and partners. Dame Irene Hays: said “It is the highlight of the year, where we connect with colleagues and members across our group. It’s an opportunity to spend quality time engaging with our brilliant retail team, Independence Group, and Homeworker members.” Anticipated to be the UK’s largest overseas travel event of its kind this year, Hays Travel’s retail conference (11-15 November) will host 700 managers and employees from its branches across the UK, colleagues from recently acquired Miles Morgan Travel, and Travel House, as well as sponsors, suppliers, and support staff. As the retail agents fly home, 450 members of Hays Travel Independence Group and Homeworking division will head to the 4* Ela Excellence for their annual overseas conferences (15 – 18 November). This ensures members of the whole group receive business updates and sector insight in time for January peaks. Headline and gold sponsors supporting the conferences are Holiday Extras, Jet2holidays, Mastercard, Princess, Silversea, Attraction World and Universal Parks and Resorts. Chief Operating Officer, Jonathon Woodall-Johnston said: “A lot of planning goes into arranging an event of this scale and I am grateful to our all of our sponsors and partners for their valued support.”Related News Stories:
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30 Oct 24
NEWS
Hays Travel launches customer appHays Travel has developed a bespoke app to further improve its service to customers. Launched ...Read moreHays Travel launches customer app - News & announcementsHays Travel has developed a bespoke app to further improve its service to customers. Launched this month via the App Store and Google Play, the Hays Travel app will allow customers to keep their travel documents in one place, settle balances with secure payments, and add holiday extras such as airport parking and car rental. Customers can view a countdown to travel, access games, and earn badges via the app. Hays Travel appointed travel technology experts digitaltravel.io to build the app, following a competitive procurement process. Dame Irene Hays: “We are delighted to reach the launch stage of this important output in our tech transformation programme.” “Our app’s interactive features that will further improve our customers’ experience and complement the service our agents provide. Peter Whittle, digitaltravel.io CEO, co-founded the business in 2021 when he spotted a gap in the market. He brings 20 years’ experience in travel tech. “This is a landmark project for digitaltravel.io. The bespoke app we have developed for Hays Travel will offer customers an even better experience and further grow Hays’ brand loyalty,” Whittle said. During the app’s trial phase, Hays Travel colleagues in retail branches and at its Sunderland Head Office put the new app through its paces, giving the development team valuable feedback Then followed a successful customer trial phase that involved the app being rolled out across Hays Tavel’s retail divisions. Branch staff encouraged customers to download and use the app and give feedback on their experience.Related News Stories:
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07 Oct 24
NEWS
Travel House airs NextGen AI advert on ITVWales based agency group Travel House has created its first TV ad using generative artificial ...Read moreTravel House airs NextGen AI advert on ITV - News & announcementsWales based agency group Travel House has created its first TV ad using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). It worked with ITV to create a GenAI advert, which will air on ITV1 and ITVX in Wales. The Hays Travel owned unit has 16 travel agency stores in South Wales. GenAI production makes advertising more accessible to small businesses by using licenced Generative AI image and video tools. It also used ITV’s voice over artists. Katie Davies, Travel House Marketing Executive, said: “We are excited to see our advert on TV and are confident this innovative production approach will be a significant benefit and revenue driver.” “We look forward to seeing the positive impact it brings to our business.” Jason Spencer, ITV Business Development Director, added: “Too often the cost of making an advert is a barrier for brands looking to expand their visibility on TV.” "By including GenAI, we can make the power of TV advertising accessible to all. We are constantly innovating to find better ways to help brands grow.”Related News Stories: British Travel Awards Agent Archives - Page 418 of 2604 - TravelMole Southwest worker charged for $79,000 flight voucher fraud NCL's latest Prima Plus Class ship unveiled Air Archives - Page 442 of 3113 - TravelMole Cinematic Capital Region USA Chicago takes reins for IPW 2025 Breaking Archives - Page 374 of 1520 - TravelMole Abercrombie & Kent - TravelMole American Tours International - TravelMole
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20 Aug 24
NEWS
Hays Travel agents raise £18,000 for NI autism charityHays Travel teams from across Northern Ireland have been fundraising for a leading autism charity. ...Read moreHays Travel agents raise £18,000 for NI autism charity - News & announcementsHays Travel teams from across Northern Ireland have been fundraising for a leading autism charity. Travel agents at its 24 branches in Northern Ireland have donated over £18,000 to chosen charity partner, Autism NI. Each Hays Travel branch is provided with a £500 budget to use for fundraising and charity work in their local area; £200 of this is to be used to fundraise for charities which support young people’s mental health, and the other £300 can be used for charities chosen by the branch. This year Hays Travel agent teams in Northern Ireland chose to join forces and all fundraise for Autism NI. They held activities from cake sales to abseiling to raise a total of £9,594.55. Much of this was then match funded by the Hays Travel Foundation, resulting in a total donation of £18,666.67. Nicola Allison, Hays Travel regional sales manager, said: “I’m so proud of our amazing teams across Northern Ireland who have rallied together and worked so hard to raise as much money as possible.” The fundraising activities included the team at Hays Travel Coleraine making over £1,000 at a pub quiz, while foreign exchange sales consultant from Belfast Park Centre, Noeleen McKay, abseiled down Belfast Castle. Hays Travel staff have also completed training with Autism NI so that every branch has a dedicated member of the team to support autistic travellers. Sorcha Mathews, corporate fundraising manager at Autism NI, said: “Autism NI is delighted to have partnered with the incredible team at Hays Travel. This fundraising donation will continue to support the ongoing and evolving needs of 35,000 autistic people.” In the last year, Hays Travel’s Local Community Partnership initiative across its retail network has donated over £142,642 to local charities.Related News Stories: Hays Travel acquires Holiday With Us agency stores - TravelMole British Travel Awards winners announced Intrepid Travel - TravelMole Partner News - TravelMole The Impact of Anti-Tourism Protests and Regulations on Europe's ... Fiji Airways joining oneworld as full member airline Jet2 kicks off first Liverpool flights British Travel Awards - TravelMole Cunard - TravelMole British Travel Awards
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10 Jul 24
NEWS
Hays Travel invests in cruise booking appHays Travel Group has invested in the first dedicated cruise booking app My Kind of ...Read moreHays Travel invests in cruise booking app - News & announcementsHays Travel Group has invested in the first dedicated cruise booking app My Kind of Cruise – the world's first cruise booking app, created by CEO Sefton Monk. Dame Irene Hays said: "When we first met, we were so impressed by Sefton and his innovative approach – making the decision to invest in his growing business was the obvious next step." The app launches in 2022, and My Kind of Cruise has attracted over 300,000 users across mobile app, tablet, and web platforms. It says over half are Millennials or Gen Z with repeat bookings averaging at 46%. It streamlines the often complicated direct booking process enabling easy search and compare of big-name cruise operators. Sefton Monk, founder and CEO of My Kind of Cruise, said: "As a tech consultant and cruise fan, I had seen a gap for an app that would simplify and modernise booking a cruise for young people, who are used to doing pretty much everything on their phone.” Two Hays Travel directors – COO, Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, and Finance Director, Ken Campling – will join the My Kind of Cruise board to support their business growth ambitions. "Our ambition is to move beyond the UK cruise marketplace and diversify our product offering to appeal to all sectors of the public, including those new to cruise,” Sefton added. He says it is the world's first fully bookable cruise app.Related News Stories: British Travel Awards winners announced Holiday Extras acquires Kent tech firm The Impact of Anti-Tourism Protests and Regulations on Europe's ... Intrepid Travel - TravelMole Partner News - TravelMole Fiji Airways joining oneworld as full member airline Holiday Extras - TravelMole Riviera Travel - TravelMole Melbourne Airport owner appoints new chair Visit Sweden - TravelMole
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01 May 24
NEWS
Hays acquires Miles Morgan TravelHays Travel has just announced a new travel acquisition, adding Miles Morgan Travel - a ...Read moreHays acquires Miles Morgan Travel - News & announcementsHays Travel has just announced a new travel acquisition, adding Miles Morgan Travel - a member of its Independence Group consortium since 2006. Hays Travel said it has no plans to rebrand the 19 Miles Morgan Travel branches, which operate in the South West and South Wales. Miles Morgan began his career as a trainee at Pickfords Travel, before moving into the corporate world as Thomson’s Sales and Marketing Director. He said: “This has been a difficult decision and there is naturally an element of sadness that my travel journey has come to an end. The final part of that journey has been to find a suitable new owner for Miles Morgan Travel.” “I cannot think of a better place for my business to go. It gives me great comfort that my team have found a good home with our partners for over 18 years.” Morgan said all jobs are safe, and the Miles Morgan team now have more opportunities for career progression. Dame Irene Hays said: “Miles Morgan is a legend in travel for a reason; he and his team have created an exceptional business that they can be very proud of.” “Miles, as a member of our group’s board for many years has been instrumental in Hays Travel’s growth and success.” “We are all excited about this latest travel acquisition and look forward to welcoming the Miles Morgan Travel team.”Related News Stories: Hays Travel plans to hire a foreign exchange cashier for every branch Partner News - TravelMole
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09 Apr 24
NEWS
Hays Travel’s rebranded tour operator makes wavesHays Travel’s dedicated team of cruise specialists is celebrating a stellar first quarter of 2024. ...Read moreHays Travel’s rebranded tour operator makes waves - News & announcementsHays Travel’s dedicated team of cruise specialists is celebrating a stellar first quarter of 2024. The new rebranded Vista team of 14 specialists exceeded their own targets for support offered to agents, cruise bookings made, and cruise launches delivered for operators. Vista – the B2B-only tour operator - has a dedicated in-house product team to support Hays Travel’s agents in branches, personal travel consultants and Independence Group members. Kathleen Molloy, Vista’s Head of Sales, said: “Cruise is a priority area for Vista, so as well as improving our product offer, we also invested in a dedicated cruise sales team.” “They are equipped with the expertise to support the agents working with us, so that they in turn can meet their customers’ needs.” Since the start of 2024 there are 32 cruise lines available to sell and package through Vista. The cruise specialists attended dedicated training and worked with cruise line partners to fully understand their product. “The team made full use of newly integrated TProfile quote platform to offer bespoke and interactive quotes for our customers.” The Vista Cruise team are based around the UK. They gathered at Hays Travel’s head office for a cruise training session that was specially prepared by Catriona Parsons, Hays Travel’s Head Of Cruise, and facilitated by Cruise Engagement manager, Julie Simpson. “The impact of Vista’s new specialist cruise team has been huge. Sales during the first three months of this year were meteoric,” Parsons said.Related News Stories: Hays rebrands tour operator unit as standalone B2B brand Vista Partner News - TravelMole