Travel House has been a member of the Hays Travel Independence Group since 2021 after switching from Advantage Travel Partnership.
Its founder, hotelier Martin Morgan, along with group managing director of Travel House parent Swansea.com, Jacob Hughes, told the Travel House team on Thursday morning (23 November).
Hughes said the business “already felt part of the Hays family”, adding: “Stepping away from travel has not been an easy decision, but the time is right to focus on the other areas of our business and continue our investment in new projects in the City of Swansea and beyond”.
Morgan said his "travel agency dream" started 31 years ago when he opened his first branch in Brynhyfryd; he sold Travel House to Thomson Holidays in 1999 before buying it back from Tui in 2004.
“We have now reached a place where we have taken Travel House as far as we can," said Morgan.
"With myself turning 61, moving to Spain, and getting married next year, now is the time for Travel House to expand and thrive even further under the guardianship of Hays and Dame Irene, who I have known for almost 30 years, so can trust implicitly to take Travel House to its limits.”
Morgan added: “I would like to thank Christine Major, Leanne Williams and all our staff who have played a pivotal role in Travel House’s success.”
Hughes echoed Morgan’s sentiment. “There is no other organisation we would trust our team’s future with," he said. "We know they are in great hands with Dame Irene, Jonathon and the rest of Hays Travel, and I wish them every success, from what will now be the sideline as a customer.”
Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays stressed the Travel House team’s jobs were safe, while chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston said Hays had assured staff the change in ownership would not affect day-to-day operations for them or their customers in the short-term as any refits would be added into tthe agency’s 2024 plans.
“Our teams will work closely with our newest colleagues to offer support and development opportunities," said Woodall-Johnston.
Dame Irene added: “When Martin explained his plans, we were honoured to step in and have given him and his excellent team our assurances today that they will be welcomed into our Hays Travel family.
"Martin is a brilliant entrepreneur who has developed an excellent travel business in South Wales. We were delighted when he joined our Independence Group in 2021 and our in-house team have enjoyed working with him to further develop the business.
"We are very pleased with this latest acquisition, which further supports our strategic priorities. We wish Martin and Jacob every success with their future plans.”
In September, Hays Travel confirmed it had acquired all-but one of Don Bircham’s 45 Just Go Travel branches across north Wales and the North West, which had been operating under the Hays Travel banner.
