Competition watchdog seeks comments on Hays Travel agency acquisitions

The competition watchdog is seeking comments on the Hays Travel acquisitions of Millington Travel and Polka Dot Travel.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was looking for views on the two acquisitions.

The call follows the CMA serving initial enforcement orders to Hays Travel in December over the whether the deals “result in a substantial lessening of competition”.

The CMA has now followed up by issuing an "invitation to comment" with a deadline of February 9.

This allows interested parties to submit any initial views on the impact that the two transactions could have on competition in the UK, according to the authority. 

“The CMA has not yet launched its formal investigations into these transactions. This invitation to comment is the first part of the CMA’s information-gathering process,” a statement said.

“To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transactions from any interested party.

“Written representations about any competition issues should be provided by the deadline set out above.”

The deal for 14-branch Millington Travel, based in the Midlands, was announced a week after the acquisition of Polka Dot Travel’s 15 branches at the end of October.

Millington became the fourth acquisition last year by Hays Travel, bringing its branch network up to around 530 outlets.

At the time of the initial enforcement notice, a Hays Travel spokesperson said: “We are committed to co-operating with the CMA throughout the review process. Each brand will operate separately.”

Commments to the CMA can be made here:

hays.polkadot.millington@cma.gov.uk