Hays Travel acquires 19-branch Miles Morgan Travel

Independent miniple Miles Morgan Travel has been acquired by Hays Travel for an undisclosed sum, bringing the estate up to almost 490 branches.

Hays Travel has no plans to rebrand the 19 Miles Morgan Travel outlets, which operate in the southwest of England and South Wales.

The agency has been a member of the Hays Travel Independence Group consortium since 2006.

Miles Morgan said: “This has been a difficult decision and there is naturally an element of sadness that my travel journey has come to an end. 

“The final part of that journey has been to find a suitable new owner for Miles Morgan Travel. 

“Having worked for six years directly alongside the team at Hays Travel, I know them and importantly their culture and values, therefore cannot think of a better place for my business to go. It gives me great comfort that my team have found a good home with our partners for over 18 years. 

“All jobs are safe, and the team now have more opportunities for career progression – there will be little disruption to day-to-day activity.”

 He added: “I pay a huge tribute to Mandy Shillito, Carolyn Griffiths and Zoe Stewart, the senior management team, and all the incredible staff who delivered the best year in our history yet again in the last financial year. 

All jobs are safe, and the team now have more opportunities for career progression

“I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to John and Irene Hays, John especially, for giving me pearls of wisdom in the early years of Miles Morgan Travel when so many businesses fail. That help will never be forgotten. So, for me now, it’s time to behave like my customers.”

Morgan has spent his life in travel and achieved many accolades for his well-known travel business. 

He began his career as a trainee at Pickfords Travel, before moving into the corporate world as sales and marketing director for Thomson Holidays.

Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays said: “Miles Morgan is a legend in travel for a reason; he and his brilliant team have created an exceptional business that they can be very proud of. 

“We will always be grateful to Miles, who as a member of our group’s board for many years has been instrumental in Hays Travel’s growth and success.

 “We are all excited about this latest acquisition and look forward to welcoming the Miles Morgan Travel team to our Hays Travel family and learning from each other. 

“Everyone at Hays Travel wishes Miles the very best success.”

More: Hays Travel reports best Saturday in trading history [Jan 24]

Hays Travel buys franchise partner Just Go Travel [Sep 23]

Hays Travel acquires south Wales agency Travel House [Nov 23]