Bad news for holidaymakers! Four travel companies have recently collapsed, leaving countless holiday plans in disarray. Rising costs are seriously squeezing the travel industry, and with the ongoing war in Iran impacting jet fuel supplies, there’s concern that more travel chaos could be on the horizon this year.
Kicking off the string of closures was Regen Central Ltd, which went into liquidation in January, scrapping all holidays and issuing no refunds. Just a few weeks later, on January 23, Gold Crest Holidays, a well-loved West Yorkshire-based coach operator, shut its doors after over 30 years of business. They voiced sorrow over halting operations, pointing to the pandemic and rising costs as key reasons behind their decision. Customers booked with them can seek help from ABTA for refunds and assistance.
Asiara UK also exited the scene in January, leaving many of its exotic holiday offerings to China, Thailand, and India unfulfilled. Not long after, simply Florida in Glasgow ceased operations, which will surely disappoint those planning trips to exciting destinations like Disneyland Paris and DisneyWorld Florida.
So, what should you do if your travel plans are affected? If you’re already on holiday, rest assured that ATOL protection has your back. The Civil Aviation Authority will ensure you aren’t stranded. If your trip was on land or sea, ABTA will step in to secure your return or complete your journey.
For those yet to travel, the key task is securing a refund. Most bookings fall under one of three protective umbrellas: ATOL for flight-based packages, ABTA for rail, cruise, or coach tours, and Section 75 for credit card bookings over £100.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for brighter horizons in the travel world soon! 🌍✈️#TravelNews #HolidayPlans