Travel firm collapses after 40 years – advice issued to affected Brits | Travel News | Travel

A UK travel firm that offered holidays to destinations worldwide has collapsed after almost four decades.

Wroxham Travel was an independent travel agency in Norfolk, providing customers with unforgettable holidays to hotspots across Europe, including Spain, Greece and Portugal, as well as global trips to destinations such as Barbados, Thailand and Mauritius. It was established in 1987, with holiday bookings ranging from beach getaways and city breaks to cruises and UK staycations.

However, on Friday, 30 October, ABTA confirmed that the company had ceased trading and was “now treating this as a financial failure”. Wroxham Travel has two branches, one based in Hoveton and another in Aylsham, both near Norwich, so its closure came as a particular blow to Norfolk residents.

In a statement, ABTA confirmed: “We are sorry to inform you that Wroxham Travel has ceased trading with effect from 30 October 2026. We are now treating this as a financial failure. If you had booked travel arrangements with Wroxham Travel, you should follow the advice set out below.”

In advice to customers, ABTA said: “If you booked a holiday through Wroxham Travel, the tour operator or principal business with whom Wroxham Travel booked your holiday will be named on your paperwork (or ATOL certificate if it was a flight inclusive holiday; this would be stated on your ATOL certificate under “Who is protecting your trip”).

“To ensure your holiday can continue as planned, you will need to contact the credit control department of your tour operator or other principal travel business with whom you have a contract. Your booking should continue as normal, and they will be your direct point of contact. Please ensure that you have all your documentation with you, as they may require information from it to assist you.”

But Wroxham Travel isn’t the only UK travel firm to have gone under this year. On Wednesday, 9 September, ABTA confirmed that Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd, an independent travel agent in Liverpool, had ceased trading.

Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd was established in 2007 and offered holidays to destinations around the world, ranging from New York and Las Vegas to Egypt, Greece and Cyprus. At the time, ABTA confirmed: “We are sorry to inform you that Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd has ceased trading on 9 September 2026. If you’ve booked travel arrangements with Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd, you should follow the specific advice set out below.”

Elsewhere, Golf Villa Rentals Ltd, based in Seaford, East Sussex, stopped trading on August 18, 2026. The firm specialised in golf package holidays worldwide, providing accommodation in villas and apartments for both small and large groups.

An ABTA statement at the time read: “We are sorry to inform you that Golf Villa Rentals Ltd has ceased trading with effect from 18 August 2026. The company sold package holidays which included accommodation and travel (excluding flight) and/or other services.”

Frasers Travel, a family-run business based in Scotland, was also confirmed to have gone bust after more than 40 years in business. In a statement shared on its Facebook page earlier this year, it read: “We regret to inform you that Frasers Travel Ltd has today ceased trading. We would like to thank all our past clients for their loyalty and support. If you have an existing booking can you please email details to info@mclenancorporate.com.”

In addition, TS Travel Realisations Ltd and Yourtravelshop.com Ltd were both confirmed as ATOL failures, a classification that can arise when a company stops trading or becomes insolvent. Travel Bespoke Ltd and Trav Expert Limited also shut their doors in May, while back in January, Asiara UK Ltd, Simply Florida Travel Ltd, and Regen Central Ltd were all confirmed by ATOL as no longer protected by their schemes.

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