Member Article

Hays Travel acquires South coast travel agents

Sunderland’s Hays Travel has bought Bournemouth headquartered Bath Travel, the south’s largest independent travel agent.

The 60 branch-strong firm employs 360 people with annual sales in excess of £100m.

John Hays, managing director of Hays Travel, said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the Bath family. Throughout all of our discussions they’ve been really open, everything’s been really constructive and they’ve been really concerned that their business – which has been part of their family for over 50 years – goes to a good home. I’m really pleased that they feel that Hays Travel is a good home.

“I’m delighted that the Bath family saw Hays Travel as a company, and an organisation, where the values of Bath Travel would be continued.

“The values of Bath Travel are of independent and knowledgeable, personal service. The Bath Travel brand is synonymous with quality and service, and we will retain the brand.

“This acquisition reinforces Hays Travel’s position as the UK’s largest independent travel agent and prepares the group well for the future.”

Muckle LLP acted as Hays Travel’s legal advisor for the acquisition.

Hays Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel agency with 43 retail shops and a workforce of over 800 people, pulling in an annual turnover of more than £500m.

Read Bdaily’s recent interview with John Hays here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .