Hays Travel faced just such a problem when the Budget saddled the agency with a 10% increase in its wage bill thanks to increases in the National Living Wage coming next April and other costs.
However, speaking to TTG at the agency’s annual conference in Turkey, owner and chair Dame Irene Hays proudly insisted staff wouldn’t be hit in the pocket and would continue to receive more than living wage despite the Budget setback.
She was adamant, too, that the bill wouldn’t be passed on to suppliers, despite Hays shouldering the cost of operating a national retail network of around 500 shops – one that offers them vast distribution opportunities.
