Hays Travel has acquired LAH Travel for an undisclosed amount, bringing the independent Scottish agency into its expanding network. The deal, completed this week, adds LAH Travel’s operations to Hays Travel’s portfolio, which already includes numerous former Thomas Cook stores acquired in recent years.
LAH Travel, based in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, has operated for over 26 years as an independent travel agent. The company has prided itself on offering clients value for money alongside full financial security, holding membership with ABTA. Its services include a transactional website, but the firm has consistently emphasised a personal approach, encouraging customers to call its local phone line or email for tailored assistance. The business has built a reputation for customer service in its community, a trait that aligns closely with Hays Travel’s own retail-focused model.
For Hays Travel, the acquisition strengthens its presence in the west of Scotland, a region where the Sunderland-based group has been actively growing its high street footprint. The purchase is a straightforward consolidation move, allowing Hays to absorb an established local brand with a loyal customer base rather than starting from scratch in that market. LAH Travel’s existing client relationships and its experienced staff are expected to transfer seamlessly, preserving continuity for travellers who have booked with the agency for decades.
The strategic logic centres on operational overlap. Both companies operate in the same sector, selling package holidays, cruises, and flights, and share a commitment to face-to-face service. By folding LAH Travel into its larger infrastructure, Hays can offer the acquired firm’s customers access to a wider range of suppliers and competitive pricing, while LAH’s local knowledge remains intact. No financial terms were disclosed, and no changes to LAH Travel’s day-to-day operations have been announced beyond the ownership transfer.
The combined entity will now operate under the Hays Travel banner, with LAH Travel’s premises and staff expected to continue serving the Saltcoats area. The acquisition adds another layer to Hays Travel’s ongoing expansion, which has seen it grow steadily through targeted purchases of independent agencies. For customers of LAH Travel, the change in ownership is unlikely to disrupt their bookings, as the firm’s ABTA protection and service ethos carry over into the larger group.