Hays Travel plans to open more shops next year in recognition of the “significant” number of people who want to book through an agent.
In the last year, the business has acquired branches previously operated by Just Go Travel, Travel House and Miles Morgan Travel, as well as adding five stores to its retail network.
Retail director Jane Schumm told the agency’s annual retail conference that more shops would open next year, adding: “Watch this space.”
Hays Travel shops unveiled in the past year are Newbury, Leeds Briggate, Bromley, Gainsborough and Sutton, with the network currently standing at 500.
Agency chair Dame Irene Hays said the senior leadership team is “constantly” asking colleagues for their views on potential additional locations.
“Where we see an opportunity to grow organically, then we’ll do that,” she said, going on to outline the reasons for acquisitions.
“People ask why we’re still acquiring travel agencies,” she added.
“We’re still acquiring travel agencies because more than a third of the UK population will use a travel agency, particularly if their holiday is of a higher value or has some complexity or deep emotional attachment for them.
“There’s a significant number of people who want to know that a human being is there if they need help. People want a personal relationship with an individual if something goes wrong.”
Hays welcomed research which suggests consumers continue to regard travel as one of their most treasured purchases.
She also noted consumer spending with agents had increased year on year, adding that Hays Travel is outstripping that growth.
“We’re in a strong position,” she said, adding: “We’ve had a record year in terms of profit.”
In summing up broader economic conditions, she outlined the challenging impact of the Budget on the outlook for the agency next year but welcomed the fall in inflation.
Pointing to the latter, she said: “The Bank of England will be able to lower the interest rate and that means people have more disposable income.”
She also said interest rate cuts would be helpful in reducing borrowing costs for Hays Travel’s partners with debt.
“We’ve never had any debt, but some of our partners do,” she added.
Picture: Dame Irene Hays at Hays Travel’s 2024 retail conference