Hays recorded a pre-tax profit of £80.4 million in the year to 30 April 2025, an increase of 10% on the previous year, which followed an 11% uptick in turnover to £506.7 million.
Owner and chair of Hays Travel, Dame Irene Hays, cautioned that added cost pressures and investment in technology and acquisitions meant the group was "unlikely to report such a strong bottom line in the next financial year".
Dame Irene added the brand had acquired two new businesses and launched an app during the reporting period. Accounts show Hays paid £16.6 million for former Hays Travel Independence Group member Miles Away Ltd – parent company of 19-branch Miles Morgan Travel - on 1 May.
“We are pleased to see our clear strategy is having a positive impact on our balance sheet,” she continued. “Our growth has been consistent and always in line with our ambitious vision, while valuing our people, our customers and the communities where we operate.”
Profitability impact
During the year, Hays derived £2.8 billion turnover from travel agency services, £2 billion from tour operations and £26.6 million from foreign exchange.
Staff costs jumped sharply from £84 million to £115 million as employee numbers rose by 1,000 to 4,556. The highest paid director earned £279,000, an increase of only £2,000.
Hays said it was “proud to pay our employees more than the National Living Wage”, but warned changes to this requirement and National Insurance – plus wage inflation – would cost it £9.8 million in the coming financial year and “will impact profitability”.
Despite this, the group said it had a “clear business plan for growth in all our key sales divisions”, including high street retail, with particular focus on the cruise and touring sectors.
