Hays Travel franchisees join forces to set up new business
Ilaria Grasso MacolaTwo agents, who met thanks to the both of them being Explorer Travel franchisees, have joined forces to launch a new agency operation.
After hitting it off and realising they shared a similar vision for their businesses, Andy Holbrook and Lewis Miller have launched WorldLuxe Travel together and joined the Hays Travel Independence Group.
“During our time at Explorer, it was clear Andy and I had a similar ethos in how we work, along with our passion for travel, our customers and to grow our businesses,” said Miller.
“Joining the Hays Travel Independence Group was the obvious next step for us both to enhance our respective businesses and for me, personally, to open a retail store locally.
"It also gives us a fantastic opportunity to take our learnings to build the WorldLuxe Travel brand in the future, which is an extremely exciting prospect.”
Miller started his career in travel at Highgate Travel on a YTS scheme, and counted the late Victoria Wood among his clients, regularly writing her train tickets for travel between London and Lancaster.
He left travel to pursue a more than 10-year career in financial services, before returning to the industry when he joined Explorer in August 2019. Two months later, he took out a franchise and set up his business, Your Great Adventures.
Holbrook, meanwhile, joined the industry in 2001 as a Trailfinders consultant but left the sector to work for the Foreign Office for more than a decade where he held various roles, including deputy head of the Caribbean team in London.
He returned to travel as an Explorer franchisee in December 2015 and set up his company, AH Escapes, three months later.
Hays Travel acquired Explorer Travel in June 2021, whereby all Explorer franchisees became part of Hays Travel. At the time, Hays said Explorer was an ideal fit, bridging the gap between traditional homeworking and membership of the independence group.
“I have enjoyed my time with Explorer enormously and learned a lot from the team there,” said Holbrook. “Support networks are something Covid has taught us to appreciate and value, and I have made many fantastic friends which I will be sure to stay connected with.”
Miller added: "For a long time, I knew I needed to love what I do, and that’s why I came back into travel. To have been part of the Explorer family, with the friends I have made, the learnings and support they have given me, is something I will never forget or underestimate its value."
Harriet Thompson, who heads up the Hays Travel Independence Group, said it was "very satisfying" to see Explorer franchisees look to scale up their businesses and "move to the next level". "We look forward to working in partnership with them in this next phase," she added.
Dame Irene Hays said: “Stimulating business growth and profitability by working in partnership with our members is at the heart of our independence group. That has not changed since John and I established it 30 years ago."
Sign up for weekday travel news and analysis straight to your inbox
Ilaria Grasso Macola
Supplier Directory
Find contacts for 260+ travel suppliers. Type name, company or destination.
Recommended For You
Competitions
Upcoming events
TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2025
TTG Media Limited.
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 2-6 Boundary Row, London, SE1 8HP
