The deal for Holidaysplease, which boasts 100 homeworking agents, 50 franchisees and around 50 employees, marks Travel Counsellors’ first acquisition in its near 30-year history.
Travel Counsellors said the move would enable Holidaysplease agents to continue running their businesses, supported by its current directors, wider leadership team and support staff.
The acquisition comes after Travel Counsellors reported record trading months in both January and February 2023 – totalling more than £200m in sales.
Steve Byrne, chief executive of Travel Counsellors, said the company was “delighted to have acquired such a highly regarded and successful business”, adding how the firms were “culturally and strategically aligned”.
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the entire Holidaysplease community; we are extremely excited at what this combination will mean for both businesses, our communities of travel experts, and our customers,” said Byrne.
“Both businesses share outstanding momentum having each delivered exceptional growth in 2022 as well as record-breaking performances in January 2023. I am confident that this combination will only serve to strengthen both businesses’ momentum and offers a safe, secure, and exciting future for all within the community.”
Holidaysplease director and co-founder Charles Duncombe said “the opportunity to become part of such a strong, fast-growing business with significant growth prospects was incredibly compelling”.
“I would like to thank our staff, homeworkers, franchisees and customers who have contributed to our success so far, and have no doubt that our community will continue to thrive and be cared for as part of Travel Counsellors.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Steve and the rest of the Travel Counsellors team to deliver our ambitious shared vision for the future.”
Holidaysplease has been a member of Hays Independence group since 2005 and Duncombe thanked Hays for its “tremendous support”.
“When we came to Hays we were three people with a business plan, and without their help and guidance we may not have grown much beyond that. They have really enabled us to fulfil our dreams and for that we will be forever grateful,” he said.
Commenting on the acquisition, Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays Travel, said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with Charles and Richard for more than 18 years, and to support them in growing their business. We wish Travel Counsellors and Holidaysplease every success with the acquisition.”
