Gold Crest Holidays, a family-run UK travel company with more than 30 years of history, has ceased trading and entered voluntary liquidation as of January 23, 2026. Based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, the coach tour operator was known for trips to destinations such as Disneyland Paris, European city breaks, and major sporting events. In a statement on its website, the company cited the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in key partnerships, rising operating costs, and a difficult trading environment as the reasons behind its closure. All future departures have been cancelled, and customers have been advised that ABTA will manage refunds and provide guidance on next steps.
ABTA confirmed that Gold Crest Holidays and its associated brands have been declared a financial failure, meaning travellers will need to make alternative arrangements if they had upcoming bookings. Those who booked through travel agents should contact them first, while credit-card customers can seek refunds through their card providers. Despite its closure, Gold Crest held a strong reputation, with a 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot and many recent positive reviews. Its collapse is part of a broader trend of UK travel firms shutting down, following recent failures of companies like Regen Central Ltd and Ickenham Travel Group, even as larger players such as Hays Travel continue to expand.