International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Travel
04/03/2026
There’s something fitting about celebrating International Women’s Day in an industry built on horizons. Travel expands minds. It opens doors. It creates stories that last a lifetime. And at Hays Travel, it’s women who are driving so much of that momentum. With a workforce proudly made up of a majority of female colleagues, including our Managing Director, Dame Irene Hays, we’re not just participating in the conversation around women in business. We’re living it.
Powered by Passion. Led by Women. Built on Opportunity.
For us, International Women’s Day isn’t just a social media talking point. It isn’t a corporate slogan. It’s visible in our branches. It’s heard in our contact centres. It’s felt in leadership meetings and training sessions. Women supporting women, leaders lifting others and careers that start with a Saturday job and evolve into something extraordinary.
If you’ve ever wondered about careers in travel for women in the UK, pull up a chair. Because our Hays Travel women are here and they’re giving you all the insider information on working within the travel industry.
Women in Leadership at Hays Travel
Representation matters. Leadership at Hays Travel doesn’t look one way. But it does look like someone who remembers your name and pushes you to reach higher. After 25 years with the company, our Retail Director Jane has witnessed remarkable growth.
“I often reflect on just how extraordinary my journey has been. When I first joined, the business had just 30 branches. Today, we have grown to more than 500. To have witnessed and been part of that evolution has been one of the greatest privileges of my career with Hays Travel.
The part of my role I cherish most isn’t found in reports or boardrooms- it’s in our branches. It’s stepping through the door, feeling the buzz of a busy day, talking with colleagues, listening to customers, and seeing firsthand the passion that makes our business special. I’ve been fortunate to grow alongside a business that believes in opportunity, development and backing its people to succeed.
If I could offer one piece of advice from my journey, it would be this: look after your people, and the numbers will look after themselves. Celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, and never lose sight of why you started."
From Apprentice to Leader: Real Career Progression in Travel
If you’re searching for long-term career progression in the UK travel industry, look no further than Hays Travel. One of the most inspiring things about working here is that careers rarely stand still. Many of our female leaders began as travel consultants. Other found their passion for travel later in life. But some joined straight from school...
Head of Retail, Paula
"My journey at Hays Travel has been exciting, challenging and incredibly rewarding, from starting as a 16-year-old apprentice working through the ranks to my position now as Head of Retail. I love how every day is different, and as a business we are very proactive as to how we can make an impact and a difference whilst our colleagues are at the forefront.”
“My advice? Find your passion and go for it; the rest will come. Hays Travel is a great place to work, where people are well looked after and rewarded.”
Head of Hays Beds & Transfers, Karen
“My career began in 1992 on the Youth Training Scheme, now the Apprenticeship Programme. Over the years, I’ve worked across many areas of the business, from retail to call centres, and in a variety of departments within head office. I’ve been in my current role for more than 15 years, and I still enjoy it just as much today. Throughout my 34 years here, I’ve always felt valued, supported, and genuinely part of the Hays family. If you ever get the opportunity to work for Hays Travel, grasp it with both hands.”
Senior L&D Manager, Leanne
Behind every confident colleague is a strong support system. And ours? It's managed by Leanne.
“What I love most about Hays Travel is the people. Every day is different; there is always an opportunity for someone, and being in L&D, we work hard to make sure our people take advantage of this. I started as a YTS back in 1992… I rose right up to branch manager, before moving to Head Office and into the training team of three. We are now a team of over 30!”
Flexible, Supportive and Future-Focused
Yes, there are perks to working in travel. Educational visits. Industry events. Product launches in exciting destinations. But the real magic? Our company understands the realities of life. Modern careers need flexibility. At Hays Travel, many women balance thriving careers with family life, further education and personal ambitions. After almost 20 years with Hays Travel, from apprentice to Branch Manager, to L&D Team Lead, to mother, our Apprentice Delivery Manager Natasha knows the importance of work-life balance.
“Since beginning my journey in 2007 as a Retail Apprentice, my career in travel has been built on continuous growth and opportunity. Over the years, I progressed from L&D Coach to Team Leader, and now Apprenticeship Delivery Manager for England, Ireland and Wales; a path shaped by learning, development and a passion for creating the same opportunities for others that I myself had.
Becoming a mammy to twin daughters added a new chapter, and I’m incredibly grateful for the flexibility that allowed me to balance family life with career progression after my maternity leave. Along the way, educational trips, conferences and being voted Head Office Colleague of the Year in 2019 have made the journey even more rewarding; proof that in travel, growth and recognition truly go hand in hand with support.”
Modern Travel Careers: Digital, Dynamic and Fast-Paced
Travel careers aren’t one-dimensional. At Hays Travel, they extend far beyond the branch. For Natalie, our Social Media Manager, the journey began on the Hays Travel graduate scheme in 2014 where the 2-year programme gave her the chance to rotate across key business functions like HR, Finance, and Support...and find her passion in Marketing.
From supporting digital lead generation to now spearheading large-scale paid campaigns and managing a 29-person social media team, Natalie’s progression reflects the evolving face of travel careers.
“Hays Travel truly embraces the power of social media, and we work to empower our colleagues to use it confidently to drive sales and represent the brand. I feel incredibly lucky to work for a business with such a strong ethos and supportive culture. It’s vibrant, fast-paced, and full of passionate, hardworking people.
My advice for anyone considering a career with us? Bring your personality! You can learn the job, build your skills and grow your expertise. But enthusiasm, curiosity and authenticity are what truly make you stand out.”
Finance & Foreign Exchange Careers: Women Breaking Barriers
Behind every successful travel agent sits a network of commercial strategy, finance, foreign exchange and operational expertise. At Hays Travel’s Head Office, women are not only part of these traditionally male-dominated areas... they are leading them.
From driving revenue in foreign exchange to shaping commercial performance across the business, our colleagues, like Beccy our Head of FX Sales, are proving that success in travel isn’t limited to one path.
“I joined Hays Travel in February 2020, and I can honestly say that it was the best decision! As Head of FX Sales, I am responsible for all things Foreign Exchange within Hays, and whilst I am often told that forex is not as exciting as holidays, I firmly disagree, after all, we all need spending money on holiday to make memories!
The best thing about my role is the people I work with. Everyone really works together; we truly have such a great work ethic and team support in Hays Travel. My advice to anyone would be that Hays Travel has opportunities for everyone, no matter where your interests and career goals lie!”
Why Choose a Career in Travel?
Because it’s never just a job.
🧡 It’s helping a couple plan their honeymoon.
🩵 It’s booking a family’s first overseas adventure.
🧡 It’s guiding someone through uncertainty with expertise.
🩵 It’s watching colleagues grow into leaders. It’s building lifelong friendships.
🧡 It’s being part of a business that has grown from 30 shops to over 500 without losing its family feel.
And on International Women’s Day, we’re proud to say that women are at the heart of that success.
Thinking About Joining Us?
Whether you’re a school leaver exploring apprenticeships in travel and tourism, a graduate looking for a people-focused career, or someone ready for a fresh challenge in a fun, supportive environment, there’s space for you here. At Hays Travel, we don’t just sell holidays. We build careers. We grow leaders. We celebrate ambition. And we’re just getting started.