Hays Travel set to report 'double-digit' growth in next annual results

Hays Travel is set to report “double-digit” profit growth in its next annual results, according to owner and chair Dame Irene Hays.

The company’s financial year runs from May 1 to April 30 and its next set of fully audited results are due to be published within the next four weeks.

Hays told Travel Weekly’s Future of Travel Conference the growth was consistent across most areas of the business.

“It is once again double-digit growth for Hays Travel [for the latest financial year], with profit being a bigger double-digit growth,” she said.

“We have grown in pretty much every area of the group. Some of that growth is through acquisitions, but not very much, and if we strip that out we would still be in double digit-growth.”

Hays said the current year had been “more difficult”, particularly in July and August, but said the company was still making positive momentum and was “incredibly well sold” for 2026 and 2027, particularly for cruise and long-haul bookings.

“The forwards since we have pivoted to long-haul and cruise are much better for Hays Travel and at a better average selling price,” she added.

Hays confirmed the agency was “making significant progress” towards its goal of long-haul, cruise and short-haul forming equal thirds of its overall revenue.

She added it was more important to her that Hays Travel was the most profitable independent agency in the UK, rather than the largest, but did not rule out further acquisitions.