Hays Travel has successfully acquired Holiday With Us, enhancing its presence in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire with three new branches. This strategic move marks the first acquisition of 2024, aligning with Hays Travel’s growth ambitions and coinciding with a record-breaking trading period.
- The acquisition includes branches in March, Spalding, and Wisbech, which will now operate under the Hays Travel brand. This move not only strengthens the company’s regional footprint but also builds on its reputation as the UK’s largest independent travel agency.
- Christina Fitzpatrick, former owner of Holiday With Us, will continue her involvement with Hays Travel, ensuring a smooth transition for both customers and staff. Her decision to remain reflects the close integration plan and her commitment to the business despite stepping back to focus on family.
- The deal is expected to generate new employment opportunities in the region, with recruitment already underway. Hays Travel is committed to supporting its new team while benefiting from their local expertise and customer relationships.
- The timing of the acquisition aligns with a peak holiday booking period, emphasising Hays Travel’s strategic positioning in the market. Dame Irene Hays expressed confidence that this expansion would offer substantial growth potential in a key geographic area.
Hays Travel’s acquisition of the Holiday With Us Group has strategically expanded its presence in the Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire regions. The branches, located in March, Spalding, and Wisbech, have transitioned to operate under the Hays Travel brand from January 10. This acquisition not only enhances the company’s footprint in the region but also underscores its status as the largest independent travel agency in the UK.
This acquisition comes at a significant time, following Hays Travel’s record-breaking trading day on January 6, which marked the best Saturday in its history. Such timing is crucial as it aligns with the peak holiday booking period, positioning Hays Travel advantageously in the market. The company perceives this as a pivotal moment to realise its strategic growth ambitions.
Christina Fitzpatrick, the previous owner of Holiday With Us, plays a key role in the transition process as she remains actively involved within Hays Travel. Her decision to stay involved while stepping back to prioritise family life highlights the company’s commitment to continuity and smooth changeover. Her ongoing participation ensures that customer service and staff adaptation remain stable and effective.
The acquisition includes the recruitment of the existing six full-time equivalent staff from Holiday With Us. This not only supports the transition but also enriches the team with their valuable local insights and established customer relationships. Moreover, Hays Travel has announced plans to further recruit, thereby creating additional employment opportunities within the region.
Dame Irene Hays, the chair of Hays Travel, has expressed a warm welcome to Christina Fitzpatrick and her team, acknowledging the quality of the business she has built. She emphasised the alignment of the acquisition with Hays Travel’s strategic goals and the promising growth prospects it presents, particularly in leveraging the geographic strengths of the Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire areas.
The acquisition of Holiday With Us by Hays Travel not only signifies an expansion of operations but also highlights strategic positioning within a competitive market.
