Hays Travel has made its first online travel agency acquisition, buying Victoria Travel Group Ltd, which owns the Cruise.co.uk brand.
Hays said the deal is its ‘most significant acquisition since Thomas Cook’ and it is its seventh major purchase since 2019.
Victoria Travel Group’s brands also include Seascanner and German division Kreuzfahrtberater.de. The Group reported sales of £252 million in its most recent financial year.
Victoria Travel Group Chief Executive Chris Gardner will remain at the company, alongside Group Chief Financial Officer Carl Tromans, UK Managing Director Tony Andrews and German Managing Director Tom Reiter.
As a result of the Hays deal, private investor Bridgepoint has exited Victoria Travel Group as majority shareholder.
Hays Chief Operating Office Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and non-executive director Jo Rzymowska will join the Victoria Travel Group board as non-execs.
Hays owner and Chair Dame Irene Hays said: “We have been hugely impressed by the strength of the Victoria Travel Group. Their innovative approach to online cruise retailing and the calibre of their management team make Victoria Travel a compelling addition to our business, which aligns with our cruise strategy and growth ambitions.
“We are delighted to welcome Chris, Carl, Tony and Tom to our Hays Travel group; they share our values and are all exceptional at what they do. We look forward to working alongside them, exploring opportunities and learning from each other as we seek to continuously improve the choice, experience and value we offer our customers.”
Chris Gardner added: “We’re delighted to be joining the Hays Travel family. Their 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.”
Pictured: Dame Irene and Chris Gardner
