HAYS Travel, which bought Thomas Cook’s portfolio of high street stores, has said it will create another 17 jobs in Northern Ireland.
The pledge came as the Sunderland travel group announced plans to create 1,500 new jobs and apprenticeships across the UK.
Thomas Cook collapsed in September. Hays Travel paid receiver KPMG £6 million for the 555 UK stores leased by holiday group.
Hays Travel said yesterday it had reopened 450 branches in the last six weeks, taking its overall store count to 737.
To date, it has offered permanent contracts to 2,300 former Thomas Cook workers.
Hays’ acquisitions includes 22 former Thomas Cook stores in the north.
The travel firm said yesterday said it needs a total of 17 people for its expanded Northern Ireland operation.
It includes nine travel consultants, five foreign exchange specialists and three assistant branch managers.
The company has also said it hopes to hold discussions with organisations in Northern Ireland over its plans to recruit apprentices.
Jointly owned by John and Irene Hays, the travel firm has revealed plans to create 200 more permanent jobs in its Sunderland head office, bringing its headcount there to 700.
The additional jobs announced yesterday will eventually bring Hays Travel’s total workforce to 5,700.
John Hays said: “We’re further increasing staffing to ensure we have the highest customer service levels across all of our stores and our head office functions.
“These are fantastic permanent career opportunities for people who want to take a step into an exciting industry where every day is different.
“You don’t necessarily need travel experience – just an enthusiasm for travel, a good head for numbers for the foreign exchange posts and some customer service experience of any kind would be helpful.”
