Wales’ largest independent agency, The Travel House, has joined Hays Travel Independence Group (IG).
The Swansea-based 20-branch miniple had been a member of The Advantage Travel Partnership for about a decade.
Founder Martin Morgan, who set up the family business in 1992, said the move would save £1 million in bonding costs.
He said: “I’m a great admirer of everything Hays has done. It’s been a difficult time and it’s been even harder being a travel agent in Wales.
“We’ve moved to Hays because we think it’s a better fit commercially and for the back office and head office.
“I run several businesses and travel has been hit the hardest.”
As part of Hays Travel IG, The Travel House will trade under Hays’ Abta bond and Atol licence and have access to its tour operating products and commercial terms with suppliers.
All Hays Travel IG members are managed service agents, which allows them to focus on sales while the group runs back-office functions.
Jacob Hughes, group managing director at The Travel House, said: “At a time when the industry is facing so much uncertainty, partnering with Hays Travel IG has been fantastic.
“Becoming part of the managed service programme allows us to focus on what our staff love best – selling. We look forward to building a successful working relationship as travel begins to take off again.”
The IG support team has spent two weeks in Swansea training more than 90 Travel House employees.
Head of IG Natasha Marson said: “They have been a real pleasure to train. I’m confident they will continue to grow and be successful.”
Leanne Williams, one of The Travel House’s senior branch managers, said the staff had spent two days training and learnt how to book Hays’ tour operating products.
She said access to Hays Travel Tour Operating “will make us even more competitive on the high street”.