Hays Travel expands with 'milestone' takeover

A national holiday firm has expanded with a takeover.

Hays Travel has bought online cruise business Victoria Travel Group.

Bosses say the “milestone” move represents Sunderland-headquartered Hays Travel’s “most significant acquisition” since it saved 2200 Thomas Cook jobs in 2019.

They add Redditch-headquartered Victoria Travel’s 270-strong workforce will transfer to Hays Travel, with “no plans to change roles or reporting lines”.

Operating the cruise.co.uk and Seascanner brands alongside German division Kreuzfahrtberater.de, Victoria Travel Group recorded £252 million sales in its latest financial year.

Under the terms of the takeover, chief executive Chris Gardner will continue to lead Victoria Travel Group alongside chief financial officer Carl Tromans, UK managing director Tony Andrews and German managing director Tom Reiter. 

Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays Travel – which last month bought Spear Travels Group – said: “This deal is an exciting and significant milestone for us.

“It is our first online travel agency acquisition and a major step in our ambition to expand our footprint in the global cruise market.

“We look forward to exploring opportunities and learning from each other as we seek to continuously improve the choice, experience and value we offer customers.”

Chris added: “Hays Travel’s values, customer-first approach and long-term vision align with ours.

“This partnership opens up exciting opportunities to grow our brands and deliver even more value to cruise customers in the UK and internationally.”

Victoria Travel Group majority shareholder Bridgepoint has exited the business following the takeover.

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