Hays Travel Independence Group

11/06/2026

✨ We’re absolutely delighted to see so many incredible nominations at this year’s TTG Travel Industry Awards 👏

A huge congratulations to everyone recognised:

🌍 Touring & Adventure Expert of the Year
Ashley Phillips, Travel Chaps
Molly Insall, The Travel Store
Jenny Stephens, Tiger Eye Travel
Liz O’Donovan, Destinations Seekers

🏆 Tour Operator of the Year
Ocean Florida

♿ Accessible Holidays Provider of the Year
Ocean Florida

🏪 High Street Travel Agent of the Year
David McKerry, We Do Travel
Matt Phillips, Travel Chaps

🏡 Home-based Travel Agent of the Year
Ben Casey, Out of this World - Not Just Travel
Emma Parry-Thorpe, Designer Travel
Janet Lacey, The Laceys – Not Just Travel
Joe Biggs, Personal Holiday Advisors

🌟 New Retail Travel Agent of the Year
Billy Devine, Travel Chaps
Carly Taylor-Davis, Seaside Travel
Kadey Aylesbury, Adore Holidays & Cruises

🚀 New Home-based Travel Agent of the Year
Anne Moseley, Not Just Travel
Jo O'Connell, Jo & Jo – Not Just Travel
Selina Fritzsche, Club Voyages
Wendy Dunford, Not Just Travel

👔 Manager of the Year
Amelia Earley, Flitch Travel
Emma Conway, Pretty Little Holidays

Your dedication, passion, and hard work truly shine through we’re so proud of you all! 🌟

👉 Nominations remain open for The John Hays Entrepreneur Award until August.

Created in memory of our founder, John Hays, this award celebrates his entrepreneurial spirit and lasting legacy within the industry. We look forward to seeing who will be shortlisted this year.

09/06/2026

The IG x Ocean FAM trip have been having an amazing time in Orlando. Our first day here was a visit to Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Walt Disney World. 🇺🇸✨

The day began with breakfast at IHOP, where some of the group got their first taste of those famous USA portion sizes... and let's just say they certainly weren't disappointed! 🥞🍳

We then headed into the magic, exploring Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Highlights included watching the incredible Indiana Jones stunt show, meeting Olaf, and making the most of Lightning Lanes to experience all the best rides with minimal waiting.

Over in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, we spotted Stormtroopers patrolling the streets and even caught a glimpse of Kylo Ren, making it feel like we'd stepped straight into a galaxy far, far away. ⭐️

At EPCOT, we enjoyed walking around the World Showcase, travelling across the globe in just a few hours, before experiencing the absolutely incredible limited-edition version of Soarin', created to celebrate America's 250th birthday this year.

To round off an unforgettable first day, we watched a magical evening parade followed by spectacular fireworks at Magic Kingdom, the perfect Disney ending to an amazing day.

A fantastic start to our Orlando adventure! 🎆🏰✨

08/06/2026

https://www.ttgmedia.com/travel-industry-news/travel-couple-open-high-street-agency-help-their-head-cuteness

After a new family-run travel agency opened its doors in Market Harborough earlier this week, TTG talks exclusively to the couple behind it – and what inspired the jump

05/06/2026

Welcome to The Independence Group, Goodlife Travel ✈️🌍

This week, we were delighted to welcome Morgan and Ella of Goodlife Travel to the consortium. 🎉

Goodlife Travel is an exciting new venture for Morgan and Ella, who have recently opened their brand-new store in Market Harborough this week. Both are well known within the travel industry and bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to their new business. 💼✨

We are thrilled that they have chosen to join The Independence Group and are excited to support them on this journey. 🤝 We look forward to watching Goodlife Travel grow and flourish in the years ahead. 🚀🌟

A very warm welcome also goes to their beautiful baby, who has already become the youngest member of the Goodlife Travel team! 👶💛

We wish Morgan, Ella, and the entire Goodlife Travel family every success with their new venture. ✈️🌴🍾

03/06/2026

We are delighted to see so many members shortlisted across the categories for this year’s Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards 🎉✈️

Overall, Hays Travel Independence Group members have secured a total of 36 nominations 🏆, which is outstanding 👏

🏆 Regional Awards
Murray Travel
Thorne Travel
Mel’s Travel
Designer Travel
Seaside Travel
The Travel Store
Travel Chaps
Experience It Now Travel
Aspire Travel

🏆 Cruise Agency of the Year - Small 🚢
Cruise Nation
My Kind of Cruise

🏆 Touring & Adventure 🌍
Designer Travel
Travel Chaps

🏆 Homeworking Agency Small/Medium/Large 🏡
Personal Holiday Advisors
Silver Travel Advisor
Designer Travel
Seaside at Home
Not Just Travel

🏆 Young Leisure Agent of the Year ⭐
Kacie Dick, Murray Travel
Renae Weller, Experience It Now

🏆 Leisure Agent of the Year High Street
Ashley Phillips, Travel Chaps

🏆 Leisure Agent of the Year - Home/Call Centre 📞
Sarah Gosling, Seaside at Home
Isobel McCardie, Rock My World Travel
Emma Parry Thorpe, Designer

🏆 Leisure Manager of the Year
Matt Phillips, Travel Chaps
Amy Richardson, Aspire Travel

🏆 Agency Support Team Member of the Year 🤝
Sam Ellis, Flitch Travel
Sade Neale, Aspire Travel

🏆 One to Watch 👀
Holloways Travel

🏆 Best Agency to Work for Small/Medium/Large 🏢
Aspire Travel
Club Voyages
Travel Chaps
Seaside Travel

🏆 Agency Branch of the Year Award 📍
Flitch Travel, Ongar
Murray Travel, Nairn
Seaside Travel, Fishburn

Congratulations to everyone nominated, and the very best of luck to you all on the big night 🍀✨

02/06/2026

💚🤍 Welcome to our newest member, Victoria’s Travel! 🤍💚

Congratulations to Victoria’s Travel, now open in Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa.

🌿 Owner Victoria recently hosted a successful opening event that attracted a fantastic turnout from local residents and supporters. ✨

Helen visited today to congratulate Victoria in person and take a look around the new premises. The shop looks absolutely gorgeous. 🤍🌿

Victoria’s Travel will be a wonderful addition to the Independence Group, and we’re delighted to welcome another thriving independent business to our community. ✨

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

🎉🎂 Happy 10th Birthday, MVP Travel! 🎂🎉

Congratulations to MVP Travel on celebrating 10 years in business and 10 years as valued members of The Hays Independence Group.

Harriet and Helen recently visited the team in York to mark this fantastic milestone with Ben, CJ, and the rest of the MVP Travel family.

Over the past decade, MVP Travel has built an outstanding reputation for creating tailor-made travel packages and group tours to watch American Sport, delivering unforgettable experiences at sporting events not just in the USA but around the world. 🌎✈️

⭐ Their expertise, exceptional customer service, and dedication to creating memorable fan experiences make them one of our greatest success stories.

Not only have they built a thriving business, but they continue to grow and evolve, expanding into new areas with exciting plans for the future. It’s our pleasure to support them on that journey.

🥂 Here's to the next chapter and many more successful years ahead! We can't wait to see what the next 10 years bring for MVP Travel.

🌟 Congratulations on an incredible decade!🌟

29/05/2026

✨✈️ Last week, The Good Travel Co - Dumfries proudly welcomed their BRAND NEW shop in Dumfries! 🎉🏪

The official opening was celebrated alongside some of our fabulous supplier partners 🤝 and many of their wonderful customers ❤️, with the ribbon officially cut by DJ Gail Bell 🎀🎶

A huge congratulations to Jonathan and Vanessa 🥂 on the opening of your second branch, such an exciting milestone, and we wish you every success in this fantastic new chapter! 🌍✨

28/05/2026

Yesterday, Crosskeys Coaches & Travel hosted a fantastic event in partnership with Constantinou Bros Hotels at Hythe Bowling Club.

With the sun shining down on the green, it was a brilliant afternoon filled with great conversations, exciting travel inspiration, and two highly informative presentations from both the Crosskeys team and Ellicia. There was a real buzz in the room as club members discussed the exciting prospect of an overseas bowls trip 🌍✈️

Following the presentations everyone enjoyed delicious cream teas while taking the opportunity to chat with the team about holiday ideas and future travel plans 🍰☕

Amber was especially delighted to attend and thoroughly enjoyed speaking with so many of the bowls club members about their upcoming travel plans and holiday ideas 😊