Former Hays Travel manager opens own shop with Independence Group

A former Hays Travel branch manager has opened his own store, just 20 months after joining the agency group.

 

After leading the team at the company’s Cwmbran branch for a year, Gareth Holloway decided to join Hays Travel’s homeworking division as a Personal Travel Consultant.

 

He saw success within just six weeks so he decided to develop his own brand, as a member of the Hays Travel Independence Group.

 

Holloways Travel’s first store opened in the Welsh town of Abertillery on Wednesday (October 1).

 

“I am absolutely delighted to have my own branch,” he said.

 

“I am really proud of what we have achieved and the opening was a massive success.

 

“I walked past this empty shop in Somerset Street every day and it was my partner who encouraged me to just go for it. It has all happened in the space of two months.”

 

Holloway has more than 16 years’ experience in the travel industry and joined Hays Travel in February 2024.

 

“When I worked as a branch manager I thought ‘what if I was a homeworker with my own business’. I did it and I massively exceeded my target in the first month,” he said.

 

“Six weeks in, I thought I would really like to open my own shop. Customers were asking me where my branch is, so it really was the community that spurred me on.

 

“Being part of the Independence Group is excellent for me as I have the backing of Hays and know all the systems. Having that support and your own name above the door makes everything both reputable and reassuring.”

 

He is assisted by his deputy manager Andrea Gardner and is looking for an apprenticeship programme in Wales that supports the training of travel consultants.

 

“We are already looking to expand, hopefully within 18 months to two years,” he said.

 

“I really want to bring Holloways Travel onto the high street. I couldn’t have done it without the help I have received, and the support of my partner, Ray Hudson-Evans, who is a foreign exchange sales support development manager for Hays Travel.”

 

Harriet Thompson, Head of Hays Travel’s Independence Group, said: “We are delighted to have a partnership with Holloways Travel and look forward to supporting the business achieve its goals.

 

“Gareth’s story is just one of many examples of how Hays Travel has helped talented industry professionals take the next step whether as a homeworker, franchisee, or even running their own branches.”