Four travel companies have gone into liquidation or ceased trading in 2026, cancelling all bookings – here’s what you need to know about refunds and ATOL protection if your trip is affected
Four travel companies have collapsed in 2026, leaving scores of holidaymakers with cancelled bookings.
With jet fuel costs rocketing in the wake of the Iran crisis and global travel facing uncertainty due to travel warnings, further firms could yet be pushed to the brink.
When holiday companies go under, bookings are scrapped and travellers lose both their trip and their money, unless their operator was covered by ATOL protection.
In January, Regen Central Ltd went into liquidation and cancelled all holidays without issuing refunds. The company, which was established in Hertfordshire in 2011 before relocating to London, lost its ATOL protection on January 13.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that Regen Central had no outstanding ATOL-protected bookings, adding that those sold as accommodation only, non-flight or flight-only bookings are not covered by ATOL.
On January 23, British coach operator Gold Crest Holidays announced it was ceasing trading, shutting down its operations with immediate effect. All forthcoming trips and packages were axed. The family-run West Yorkshire firm, which had been operating for 30 years, cited rising costs as the reason behind its closure.
It said in a statement on its website: “After more than 30 years of creating unforgettable holidays, we are deeply saddened to announce that Gold Crest Holidays has ceased trading with immediate effect and has taken steps to enter voluntary liquidation.
“This difficult decision follows the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, strategic changes in key partner arrangements that adversely affected our business, and a challenging trading environment with significantly rising costs.
“We are immensely grateful to our loyal customers, travel agents, suppliers, and dedicated staff for your support over the years. We are truly sorry we can no longer continue.
“All future departures are cancelled. The ABTA bond provides protection. ABTA will handle refunds and assistance. Contact ABTA at: Phone: 0203 758 8730.”
The company entered voluntary liquidation in March, according to documents lodged with Companies House.
Asiara UK, formerly known as Haivenu Tours, was established in 2022 and offered holiday packages to Asian destinations including China, Thailand and India. The firm stopped trading on January 21.
No existing bookings were affected, but as the Ipswich-based business had no future reservations at the point of closure, according to Protected Trust Services. The company was subsequently dissolved via voluntary strike-off on January 23.
Simply Florida, headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, was a travel agency that arranged trips to Disneyland Paris, DisneyWorld Florida, Universal Studios, New York, Niagara Falls and Toronto, as well as cruises. The firm applied to be struck off from Companies House in October and officially ceased trading on January 20.
Travellers with holidays already booked would have had their trips cancelled, but as the company was ATOL protected, they should have been entitled to full refunds.
