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How the lessons of the past are helping Hays Travel create the business of tomorrow

Agents
Edward Robertson
18 November 2025

Britain's largest independent is bringing its brand and messaging to a host of new channels and upping its focus on AI – but sometimes, the old ways are still best. Edward Robertson reports from the Hays Travel Independence Group conference.

Hays Travel Independence Group conference 2025 speakers
(Credit: Hays Travel)

Davina McCall, Dame Irene Hays, Richard Harpin, Jo Rzymowska and Hays chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston all addressed delegates in Kalamata (Credit: Hays Travel)

TV, trust, touring – and turning back time – were themes of this year's Hays Travel Independence Group conference in Greece's Kalamata, where members were encourage to look to the past, the present and the future for business inspiration.

More than 350 delegates spanning Hays's IG group, its homeworking personal travel consultants and Explorer franchisees joined Hays head office staff and key suppliers for the get-together, which centred around a theme of "It's All About the Mix".