About Hays Travel
As the UKs largest independent travel agent, Hays Travel specialises in providing good value, quality holidays alongside excellent customer service.
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.
Our vision is to become the UK's most profitable privately owned travel company, which values our people, our customers, our partners and the communities where we operate.
Our Values
Our SMILE values determine how we operate, with everyone displaying these characteristics to help make Hays Travel an excellent place to work.
Our people are what makes us
Putting people at the heart of what we do has seen Hays Travel become the largest independent travel agency in the UK. Hear from our colleagues about their career journeys and what they love about working at Hays Travel:
Hazel - Retail Manager
"Your work is going to fill such a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, in a great company. Here at Hays Travel you can embrace an abundance of new opportunities, excel in your role and be the best you can possibly be or explore new horizons. Hays is a workplace that empowers, inspires, and amazes! Its more than a team, it's a family."
Grace - Retail Support
"I would say it's about the people I work with, all being one team/one family and all looking out for each other. Working for a hugely successful company who looks after their staff well by nurturing them, helping them progress to reach their potential."
James - Social Media
"I joined at just 16 years old as a retail apprentice in our Houghton-le-Spring branch and it was the best decision I ever made. The apprenticeship gave me the best possible start at what will be a lifelong career in an industry that I love. After becoming a fully qualified Travel Agent, learning all things sales and joining the Contact Centre selling holidays through Facebook, I found a new opportunity and made the move into the Social Media team at Head Office. In my three years at Head Office I've been promoted and even travelled around the world. I wouldn't be where I am today without the Hays Travel Apprenticeship programme."
Leanne - Head of Learning & Development
"I joined the business in 1992 starting as an apprentice in our Sunderland Vine Place branch progressing on to Assistant Manager and then Branch Manager in various different branches. I came to Head Office equipped with the invaluable experience, skills and knowledge of our business before joining the Learning and Development (L&D) Team. Our L&D Team are industry experts providing our organisation with the skills, knowledge and behaviours to fulfil their roles and aspirations, from apprentices to senior leaders and we support all colleagues throughout their journey."
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1980John Hays opens the first branch of Hays Travel at the back of his mum’s children’s wear shop in Seaham, Co Durham
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1982Hays Travel opens second shop in Sunderland, where the company has its headquarters today
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1984Third branch opens in Washington, Tyne and Wear
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1987Expansion reaches seven shops in the North East
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1990First Hays Travel call centre opens
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1995Hays Travel Independence Group established
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1997The company diversifies into homeworking
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2012Turnover reaches £500 million
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2013Acquisition of Bath Travel, the South of England’s largest independent travel agency
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2014Hays Travel Academy launched
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2018Turnover passes the £1 billion mark
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2019Acquire the Thomas Cook retail portfolio, providing re-employment opportunities to 2,500 staff
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2020One of the most challenging years in Hays Travel’s history - losing founder John Hays and weathering a global pandemic
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2021Acquire Explorer franchise
Introduce Hays Travel money card in association with MasterCard -
2023Acquire 45 Just Go branches in the North West of England
Acquire 16 Travel House shops in South Wales
Hays Travel voted the nation’s favourite travel agent at the British Travel Awards 2023 – winning gold for Best National Travel Retailer, Best Travel Agency for Cruise Holidays, and Best Retailer for Forex/Travel Money -
2024Turnover reaches £2 billion
Acquire three Holiday with Us branches in March, Spalding and Wisbech
Acquire 19 Miles Morgan Travel branches in the South West and South Wales -
2025Turnover reaches £3 billion