Hays Travel Independence Group welcomes three new members

Hays Travel Independence Group has welcomed three new members in recent months, with more travel agency businesses set to join the consortium in coming weeks.

Members of the Hays Travel Independence Group (IG) retain their own independence and branding, but benefit from Hays Travel’s buying power, technology, support team and back-office functions.

The new Hays Travel Independence Group members are Luxury Dream Holidays, Holidays by Carly and Crui.se.

Luxury Dream Holidays is a homeworking agency that specialises in upmarket holidays and destination weddings, honeymoons and special occasions.

Claire Oliver, director of Luxury Dream Holidays, said: “I chose to come back to Hays Travel IG because of their back-office efficiency, tour operator commercial agreements and the people who I enjoy working with.

“We were one of the first travel agents to specialise in destination weddings and honeymoons and formerly traded as Dream Weddings and Honeymoons.

“Our ambition is to expand our homeworking team to attract agents who want to work for a small, specialised company.

“The onboarding experience with Hays Travel IG has been positive, with easy set-up and communication as well as ongoing support.”

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Helen Williamson, Hays Travel IG business development manager, said: “It’s great that Claire chose to rejoin the Hays Travel Independence Group.

“I am looking forward to supporting her as she grows her business to new heights in the future. The knowledge and skillset that Claire and her team bring is a real asset to the group.”

Carly Humphries of Holidays by Carly has a large community on her Holidays by Carly Facebook page, where she promotes and sells luxury city breaks, holiday packages and staycations.

She said: “During the four years that I worked for another agency I had regular interactions with the Hays Travel Independence Group team, which I always found to be a positive experience.

“I finally decided to take the plunge and join Hays Travel IG in June and I have been extremely impressed with my welcome.

“Nothing is too much trouble at all for any of the Hays Travel staff I have come across; they are all willing and able to help me succeed.

“I have 24 years’ experience in the travel industry and feel very much part of a fantastic organisation. The level of support they offer is second to none.

“I have big ambitions for Holidays by Carly. I’ve already taken on three homeworkers and have plans to open a store in the not-too-distant future.”

Harriet Thompson, Hays Travel IG business development manager, added: “It’s great to be part of the next chapter of Carly’s career in travel, starting her own agency.

“In the brief period Carly has been trading we have seen extremely positive results, and with three new homeworkers ready to join the team the future is really looking bright for Carly and I look forward to working closely with her.”

The third new member, Crui.se, was established in 2022 by director Daniel Roche, specialising in river cruises.

Roche commented: “I chose Hays Travel because of their great reputation, access to the biggest travel brands, and the guidance that they provide.

“The onboarding process has been excellent, and they genuinely seem pleased and excited about my business.”

Kelly Green, Hays Travel IG business development manager, said: “Dan joins us with a wealth of experience in the industry. He started his career in travel working in digital marketing and is taking his skills and expertise to the next level to inspire customers with some exceptional digital content.

“He has an exceptional business and I’m looking forward to supporting him in achieving his ambitious plans.”

Natasha Marson, head of Hays Travel IG, said: “Our consortium is a true network of excellence, and we are proud to count many of the most significant names in travel among our members.

“We look to understand our members’ plans and ambitions for their business and truly thrive on helping them to succeed and achieve.”

The new members join more than 100 other independent travel companies in the Hays Travel consortium.

Pictured second left is Natasha Marson, head of Hays Travel IG, with business development managers, from left: Harriet Thompson, Kelly Green and Helen Williamson