Welsh agency to expand with new store in Brecon
Ella Sagar
Welsh agency Holloways Travel is set to open its second retail shop 12 months after its debut store. The new outlet in Brecon is due
to open in October, a year after the agency opened in Abertillery. Holloways Travel was set up by
former Hays Travel branch manager Gareth Holloway and is a member of Hays Travel Independence Group. The initial store has already topped
its £1 million annual sales target several months ahead of schedule, driven by a strong lates market alongside robust demand for short-haul, cruise, package and coach holidays. Holloway and agency director
Ray Hudson-Evans have now secured a Grade II listed former art gallery in Brecon town centre for their second premises and aim to align the opening with their upcoming anniversary celebrations. Holloway told Travel Weekly:
“The plan was always to have two shops and we originally said we would start looking 18 months after opening the first, but then I got a bit restless and needed to tap into another market. “We were specifically looking for
somewhere that used to have a travel agency, like our current location in
Holloways Travel’s new premises in Brecon; inset, Gareth Holloway (left) and Ray Hudson-Evans
Abertillery. Brecon used to have a Thomas Cook branch and a Hays Travel branch, which both closed down, and there’s not been anyone there serving the high street since.” Before officially signing the lease
on the site, the pair posted on local social media groups to gauge demand for a bricks-and-mortar agency. The post received more than 300
replies within 48 hours, with local residents overwhelmingly confirming they would “absolutely love a travel agency to open” in the town again. “It was a complete no-brainer and
a definite winner for us,” Holloway said, adding that Brecon would become the agency’s flagship branch,
ITC unveils trade partnerships head amid business restructure
ITC Travel Group has named Gary Bates as head of trade partnerships amid a wider restructure. Bates, previously national trade partnership manager, reports to business partnership director Di Selby, while Emily Rutter becomes head of product. Managing director Lisa Smith said the changes reflect the operator’s focus on strengthening trade collaboration and refining its high-end portfolio.
8 13 AUGUST 2026
enabling the business to focus more on driving high-margin long-haul sales to a “wealthier” rural clientele across the region. Holloways Travel staff will be
shared across both Welsh locations, while trade partners and suppliers have been invited to sponsor dedicated window displays at the new Brecon store. Hudson-Evans said the agency
plans to open the second branch shortly after holding a first-birthday celebration for 1,300 customers, suppliers and local community members at a nearby venue on October 1, exactly one year after the business opened its doors for trading.
Tui MD reassures agents after launch of direct-only Sundeals
Tui has insisted its trade commitment remains “unchanged” despite launching Sundeals, a low-cost, direct-to-consumer platform, not accessible to agents. UK & Ireland managing director Neil Swanson sought to reassure agents by stressing they retain access to Tui’s full range of holidays, cruises and tour products.
Hays Travel boosts Scotland network with LAH takeover
Hays Travel has expanded its Scottish retail footprint by acquiring West Kilbride-based agency LAH Travel for an undisclosed sum. The deal, agreed on August 10,
sees LAH Travel and its staff join Hays Travel’s retail network, operating alongside existing nearby branches in Largs and Irvine. It marks Hays’ first acquisition of
2026 and follows approval from the Competition and Markets Authority in April regarding its 2025 takeovers of regional chains Millington Travel and Polka Dot Travel. LAH Travel owner Linda Hill
is stepping down after founding the agency in 2004. The business has operated as a member of Hays Travel Independence Group for more than two decades. Dame Irene Hays, owner of
Hays Travel, said: “As a long-term member of our Independence Group, we know the LAH business and team well. It was an easy decision to say yes when Linda asked us to acquire the excellent business she created.” Hill said: “Making the decision
to step away from the business I established more than 22 years ago has been an emotional one. I chose to sell to Hays Travel because their values mirror ours.”
Linda Hill
Audley Travel plans to open first high street stores in four cities
Audley Travel is exploring plans to open its first UK stores. The tailor-made specialist revealed the potential high street move via job advertisements for store-based personal travel experts in locations including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Bristol. An Audley spokesperson confirmed the operator is “looking at options” for a retail presence, with further details expected shortly.
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
