Latest news with #HaysTravel
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hays Travel completes first online travel agency acquisition
Hays Travel has completed its first online travel agency acquisition. The Sunderland-based firm has acquired Victoria Travel Group, a major online cruise travel business. Included in the deal are the group's brands Seascanner, and the German division The deal includes the group's brands, Seascanne (Image: Supplied) Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays Travel, said: "This deal is an exciting and significant milestone for us. "This is our first online travel agency acquisition and a major step in our ambition to expand our footprint in the global cruise market. "We have been hugely impressed by the strength of the Victoria Travel Group and we are delighted to welcome Chris, Carl, Tony, and Tom to our business. "We look forward to working alongside them, exploring opportunities and learning from each other as we seek to continuously improve the choice, experience, and value we offer our customers." The acquisition follows a period of strong growth for Victoria Travel Group under majority shareholder Bridgepoint, who will now exit the business. Known for its digital-first approach, the group reported a total transaction value of £252 million in its most recent financial year. Chris Gardner, chief executive of Victoria Travel Group, said: "We're delighted to be joining the Hays Travel family. "Their values, customer-first approach, and long-term vision align with ours. "This partnership opens up exciting opportunities to grow our brands and deliver even more value to cruise customers in the UK and internationally." READ MORE: Rare coin exceeds auction expectations and sells for incredible £180,000 Bishop Auckland STACK venue to progress after funding lifeline Community breakfast club transforms lives, with support from believe housing Victoria Travel Group employs more than 270 people. Hays Travel has confirmed there are no plans to change roles or reporting lines. As part of the deal, Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, chief operating officer of Hays Travel, and Jo Rzymowska, non-executive director, will join the Victoria Travel Group board.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major cruise company sold to travel giant in huge milestone move
A major cruise company has been sold to a travel giant in a huge milestone move. Hays Travel has purchased parent Victoria Travel Group, the company's biggest deal since it bought 555 Thomas Cook travel agents back in 2019. The new deal is the northern-based company's first online travel agency acquisition and includes the Seascanner business as well as German Chris Gardner, chief executive of Victoria Travel Group, will remain in charge of the business. UK managing director Tony Andrews, German managing director Tom Reiter and group chief financial officer Carl Tromans will also continue in their roles. Meanwhile, Bridgepoint, which was a majority shareholder in Victoria Travel Group, will pull out. The business reportedly had a £252million transactional value in the last financial year. Hays Travel began trading back in 1980 and started out as a small shop in Seaham, County Durham. On the new deal, Hays Travel Dame Irene Hays described Victoria Travel Group as 'innovative'. According to Ttg Media, she said: 'We have been hugely impressed by the strength of the Victoria Travel Group. 'Their innovative approach to online cruise retailing and the calibre of their management team make Victoria Travel a compelling addition to our business, which aligns with our cruise strategy and growth ambitions. 'We are delighted to welcome Chris, Carl, Tony and Tom to our Hays Travel group; they share our values and are all exceptional at what they do. 'We look forward to working alongside them, exploring opportunities and learning from each other as we seek to continuously improve the choice, experience and value we offer our customers.' While Chris Gardner expressed how 'delighted' the company was to be joining Hays. He said: 'We're delighted to be joining the Hays Travel family. Their values, customer-first approach, and long-term vision align with ours. 'This partnership opens up exciting opportunities to grow our brands and deliver even more value to cruise customers in the UK and internationally.' Hays Travel has made several business moves and acquisitions in recent years. In 2023, the independent travel company purchased Just Go Travel after the two businesses had worked together as franchise partners. Hays Travel also acquired south Wales agency Travel House in the same year. While during the pandemic, in 2020 the devastated owners of Hays Travel revealed they were forced to axe 878 staff after the Spain quarantine brought holiday bookings to a halt.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow team raise over £3000 for Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK
Staff at Hays Travel in Glasgow raised funds through a charity raffle in support of Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK, inspired by customers Tony and Carrie Pearson, whose daughter, Grayce, was diagnosed with the condition at 14 months old. The raffle featured more than 30 prizes donated by local businesses, including afternoon tea experiences, restaurant vouchers, and beauty treatments. Read more: Glasgow children in police custody offered confidential support from Childline It generated £1,549.99, which was then matched by the Hays Travel Foundation, bringing the total to £3,099.98. Carrie Pearson said: "We are so grateful to the team at Hays Travel Gordon Street for all their help and support to fundraise for SMA UK and to highlight the need for newborn screening in the UK. "The work they have done to help means that so many families will benefit. "The staff have got to know us and our daughter Grayce so well and have made her feel special every time they see her. "They really do go above and beyond. "When she's older, we will tell her all about the hard work Hays Travel has done. "Again, thank you for the support—you guys are amazing." Read more: Sir Alex Ferguson takes on new role as ambassador for Glasgow-based charity SMA UK supports individuals and families affected by spinal muscular atrophy, working to improve access to care and reduce barriers to full participation in society. Ricky Doyle, branch manager at Hays Travel Glasgow, said: "The Pearson family are customers who spend all their spare time campaigning for Spinal Muscular Atrophy to be screened at birth. "Their daughter Grayce is a joy to be around, and after meeting them, we were really keen to help them raise as much money and awareness as possible."
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Daily Record
Chance to win family holidays by taking part in Around the World challenge at The Centre, Livingston
It will run for five weeks from Monday, July 7 until Sunday, August 10 The Centre, Livingston is inviting families to take part in a free 'Around the World' travel trail this summer. It will provide the opportunity to learn fun facts about 30 different countries, through a variety of different puzzles and games at six stations located around the shopping centre. Visitors can pick up a free Around the World passport at the check-in desk, situated next to New Look, and get it stamped at every station, which will change every week, with Kenya, Brazil and Australia included in the first week. Passports which have been stamped can be entered into competitions to be in with a chance of winning a variety of prizes from retailers, which includes a family travel voucher worth £4,000 from TUI, £3,000 from Hays Travel and £1,500 from Barrhead Travel. Other prizes include a £100 Voucher from Aerial Adventures, a suitcase from Ryman, and four £25 Gift Vouchers from Primark. Beach themed activities and games and storytelling sessions will also take place at the check-in desk every day and a variety of different travel and holiday-themed arts and crafts, which includes making animal wind chimes and an Egyptian wooden bookmark. Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston said: 'We are really looking forward to hosting our globe-trotting, Around the World travel trail free activities at The Centre, Livingston this summer. 'The five-week event will provide a great opportunity for families to take some time out over the holidays and learn some fun facts about 30 countries by participating in lots of puzzles and games in the trail, located around the shopping centre, and also join in the daily travel-themed arts and crafts activities.' Around the World will run for five weeks from Monday, July 7 until Sunday, August 10 from 11am to 4pm. Article continues below
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits avoid Spain after protests and warn ‘we won't go if we're not wanted'
A number of travel company bosses have reported dealing with clients who have made the decision to go elsewhere, following major overtourism protests last weekend Some holidaymakers are dodging destinations in Spain due to concerns about overtourism protests. Off the back of a string of high-profile, coordinated marches and actions across Spain, Portugal, and Italy at the weekend, potential visitors have decided to go elsewhere. A number of travel company bosses have reported dealing with clients who have made the decision to go elsewhere. Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy told Travel Weekly: 'Media coverage has ramped up over the past 24 hours and it simply enforces the perception that holidaymakers are not welcome. It worries people, simple as that." Ryan Lambton, a Hays Travel personal travel consultant, said: 'I've had a few customers message [to say they] are now reluctant to book.' Karl Douglas, co-owner of Beverley Travel, added: 'We've had people saying, 'We don't want to go somewhere we're not wanted.' People will choose somewhere they're going to be made welcome.' Sandra Mutter, director at Andara Travel, said bookings to Dubai and Jordan were strong, but the protests in Spain, and Majorca in particular, seem to have had an "impact." Caroline Thorne, head of travel at East of England Co-op Travel, told the publication that overtourism protests were a bigger talking point with customers than the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Last year, the UK was the main country of origin for international tourism in Spain in 2024. In 2024, more than 18 million British travelers headed south for a trip to Spain. Meanwhile, France ranked in second place that year, accounting for around 13 million foreign visitors to Spanish territory. Following a sharp dip during the coronavirus pandemic, visitor numbers to Spain bounced back, hitting a record high of around 84 million in 2024. Tourism operators in Spain have been keeping a close eye on booking numbers since overtourism protests erupted at a significant scale in 2023. Despite some minor dips in hotel figures in some destinations, demand for travel to the sun-drenched country does not seem to have been badly impacted. Across holiday hotspots, campaigners fed up with rising house prices, low wages, and crowded public squares targeted tourists with water pistols and chanted for change. The protests last weekend were part of a coordinated action laid on by groups across several countries, who are united in their dislike of the current tourism model and who are now demanding change. Major protests hit the streets of several key Spanish holiday areas this weekend, with campaigners using water pistols against unsuspecting tourists in Barcelona and on the Spanish island of Majorca on Sunday. If you are planning a holiday somewhere sunny this summer, it's helpful to know where the protests are taking place and who the protesters are angry at. Check out our guide to the four major disruption hotspots.
