Former Hays Travel manager opens own branch after joining Independence Group
03/10/2025
A former Hays Travel branch manager has opened his own store – just 20 months after joining the UK’s largest independent agency.
After leading the team at the company’s Cwmbran branch for a year, Gareth Holloway decided it was time to join Hays Travel’s homeworking division as a Personal Travel Consultant.
But after seeing success in just six weeks, he decided to take the plunge and develop his own brand, as a member of the Hays Travel Independence Group.
And his dream of opening his very own branch was finally realised when the ribbon was cut on Holloways Travel’s first store in the Welsh town of Abertillery on Wednesday.
Gareth said: “I am absolutely delighted to have my own branch. I am really proud of what we have achieved and the opening was a massive success.
“I walked past this empty shop in Somerset Street every day and it was my partner who encouraged me to just go for it. It has all happened in the space of two months!”
Gareth, who has more than 16 years’ experience in the travel industry, initially joined Hays Travel in February 2024.
He added: “When I worked as a branch manager I thought ‘what if I was a homeworker with my own business’. I did it and I massively exceeded my target in the first month.
“Six weeks in, I thought I would really like to open my own shop. Customers were asking me where my branch is, so it really was the community that spurred me on.
I am absolutely delighted to have my own branch
“Being part of the Independence Group is excellent for me as I have the backing of Hays and know all of the systems. Having that support and your own name above the door makes everything both reputable and reassuring.”
Gareth is being assisted by his deputy manager Andrea Gardner and is also on the lookout for an apprenticeship programme in Wales that supports the training of travel consultants so he can help develop the next generation.
And this is just the beginning of his journey.
Gareth said: “We are already looking to expand, hopefully within 18 months to two years.
“I really want to bring Holloways Travel onto the high street. I couldn’t have done it without the help I have received, and the support of my partner, Ray Hudson-Evans, who is a Foreign Exchange Sales Support Development Manager for Hays Travel.”
Harriet Thompson, Head of Hays Travel’s Independence Group, said: “We are delighted to have a partnership with Holloways Travel and look forward to supporting the business achieve its goals.
“Gareth’s story is just one of many examples of how Hays Travel has helped talented industry professionals take the next step whether as a homeworker, franchisee, or even running their own branches.”