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  "path": "/money/travel-firms-collapse-holidaymarkers-prospects",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-17T21:49:21.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Pension firm accused of 'misleading' 16,000 savers after collapsing into administration",
    "Rachel Reeves blasted by pub landlord for tax hikes and pushing up costs: 'They're not listening!'",
    "Universal Credit rise outpaces state pension increase with 6.2% boost in April",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nFour British travel companies have collapsed in the opening months of 2026, leaving customers facing cancelled holidays and uncertainty over whether they will recover their money.\n\nThe failures come against a backdrop of rising aviation fuel costs linked to the Iran crisis, alongside international travel warnings that have created instability across the sector.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIndustry observers have warned that further firms could come under pressure if these conditions persist.\n\nWhen travel operators cease trading, holidaymakers often lose both their trips and their payments unless bookings are protected under schemes such as ATOL.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe companies affected include Regen Central Ltd, Gold Crest Holidays, Asiara UK and Simply Florida, all of which stopped trading between January and early February with differing levels of consumer protection in place.\n\nRegen Central Ltd entered liquidation in January, resulting in the cancellation of all trips without refunds being issued to customers.\n\nThe business, which was established in Hertfordshire in 2011 before later relocating to London, had its ATOL protection removed on January 13.\n\nThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed the firm held no outstanding bookings covered by the ATOL scheme at the time of its collapse.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBookings sold as accommodation-only, non-flight or flight-only packages fall outside ATOL protection, meaning some customers were not covered.\n\nThis left those who had arranged such trips without the financial protection typically associated with package holidays.\n\nThe absence of protected bookings indicates the company may have been winding down operations prior to entering liquidation.\n\nGold Crest Holidays, a family-run coach operator based in West Yorkshire, ceased trading on January 23 after more than 30 years in business.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Pension firm accused of 'misleading' 16,000 savers after collapsing into administration\n  * Rachel Reeves blasted by pub landlord for tax hikes and pushing up costs: 'They're not listening!'\n  * Universal Credit rise outpaces state pension increase with 6.2% boost in April\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIn a statement, the company said: \"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.\"\n\nThe operator cited the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, changes to supplier relationships and rising costs as contributing factors behind its closure.\n\nAll future departures were cancelled following the announcement.\n\nCustomers affected by the collapse are covered by the ABTA bond scheme, with the travel association handling refund claims.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCompany filings submitted to Companies House in March confirmed that Gold Crest Holidays had formally entered voluntary liquidation.\n\nAsiara UK, which previously traded as Haivenu Tours, stopped trading on January 21.\n\nThe Ipswich-based firm, which specialised in holidays to destinations including China, Thailand and India, had no forward bookings at the time of its closure, according to Protected Trust Services.\n\nTwo days later, on January 23, the business was formally dissolved through a voluntary strike-off process.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSimply Florida, a Glasgow-based travel agent focusing on trips to destinations including Disney theme parks, Universal Studios, New York, Niagara Falls and Toronto, ceased operations on January 20.\n\nThe company had applied to be removed from the Companies House register in October of the previous year.\n\nCustomers with existing bookings are expected to receive refunds, as the firm maintained ATOL protection at the time it stopped trading.\n\nThe recent collapses highlight ongoing pressures within the travel industry as companies navigate rising costs and shifting demand.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Four travel firms collapse leaving bookings cancelled with 'uncertain prospects for refunds'"
}