Holidaymakers boost travel group’s profits

A TREND which sees consumers taking more holidays and travelling to far flung destinations has helped North East group Hays Travel to boost profits.

- TOM KEIGHLEY Business writer tom.keighley@reachplccom

New accounts for the Sunderland-based business, which operates 530 branches across the UK and employs more than 4,800 people, show turnover grew from £457.4million to £506.6m in the year to the end of April, as operating profits increased from £60.3m to £64.5m. Bosses say a strategy to balance its mix of short haul, long haul and cruise bookings has driven the results.

Hays said it continues to see consumers viewing holiday and travel plans as essential and expects the trend to continue. Around 30% of its customers during the year were new to the group, thanks, the firm said, to focus on customer service and healthy demand for holidays.

‘The group sells to customers via its network of UK branches, a call centre operation and through a network for homeworkers.