Online travel agency sunshine.co.uk is to leave the Hays Travel Independence Group to become fully independent.
The company was the first OTA to join the Hays consortium in 2007, and says it has experienced significant growth in the subsequent six years.
Chris Clarkson, managing director, said the company had reached a size where it was confident it could operate as a fully independent business.
He said: “We are grateful that John Hays took a chance on us around this time six years ago. Hays Travel Independence Group was a fantastic springboard for us and we know that it’s partly down to our membership with the group that the agency is where it is today.
“We’ve grown to a point where it made sense to become an independent agency and we’re confident we have a bright future ahead of us.
“We’d happily recommend the Hays Travel Independence Group to any agencies looking to join a consortium and remain forever grateful for their help in the last six years.”
John Hays, managing director of Hays Travel, said: “The achievements of sunshine.co.uk make for a great success story for Hays Travel Independence Group and whilst we are sorry to lose our longest-serving online agency member, we wish the team the very best for the future.
“Working with the team at sunshine.co.uk has given me huge satisfaction over the last six years. To initially hear their business plan, work with them and watch them grow to the hugely successful agency they are now is very fulfilling.”
He added: “They have been a delight to work with. It was always part of their plan to be fully independent. I wish them well and will watch their further growth and success with interest.”