Holidays cancelled as coach tour firm collapses

A family-owned coach tour operator has ceased trading after more than 30 years, with all planned trips cancelled.

Gold Crest Holidays, based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, arranged breaks around the UK and Europe, including to Disneyland Paris, concerts and sporting events.

A statement on its website said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Gold Crest Holidays has ceased trading with immediate effect and has taken steps to enter voluntary liquidation."

It said the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) would provide clear support to affected customers.

Gold Crest Holidays said: "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."

ABTA said the firm, which also traded as Advent, Advent Tours and Overseas Dream Weddings, ceased trading on 23 January.

"We are now treating this company as a financial failure," it said.

"We regret that all future packages have been cancelled.

"If you are holding tickets for certain events these may still be valid and you can contact the event organisers to check this.

"You will however have to make alternative travel and accommodation arrangements."

It said customers who had booked travel with Gold Crest Holidays should contact their travel agent, who would need to provide some information to them to help with a claim.

It added customers who booked and paid by credit card should download a credit card referral letter and send to their credit card issuer for a refund.

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