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Yes. Great Little Escapes (trading as Great Little Breaks) finally lost its and could no longer sell any legally protected package holidays. That left a lot of customers wondering about their bookings or their refund.
Loss of ATOL status from a travel company typically indicates serious financial problems. For holidaymakers, this immediately raises questions about whether their cash and trips are safeguarded.
The UK travel firm that has just collapsed is Great Little Escapes LLP in Sandhurst, Berkshire.
The company had operated under a number of popular brand names by:
At these three brands the sites are down, causing frustration and disappointment for many holidaymakers.
Ownership details of Great Escapes Travel are not widely published, but records show the firm had been operating since 2002 under ATOL licence number 5933.
It operated a number of associated brands, indicating that it was not just a single travel agent but operated out of a wider group of trading names. Additional information about ownership is expected to follow as administrators or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provide more details.
Aside from Great Little Escapes, a number of other UK travel firms have collapsed recently:
These closures illustrate the pressure on old-school travel firms in today’s digital-first market.
Unfortunately, the trend indicates that they probably are.
Travel agents still exist, especially for high-end trips, but the industry is losing steam and, on the whole, rather small.
Here’s a quick round-up of major UK travel firms that have collapsed recently:
This string of failures shows that no travel business, big or small, is immune from the changing market.
Losing ATOL protection is serious because it means:
But the failure of Great Little Escapes causes financial and mental stress to customers.
If you’ve booked with Great Little Escapes or one of its brands, here’s what you should do:
The fall of Great Little Escapes is another example of how vulnerable portions of the travel industry have grown.
A1: Yes. The company’s ATOL expired on 13 June 2025 and it doesn’t currently hold a licence.
A2: Section 75 If you have paid by credit card you may be able to claim using the Section 75 protection. Otherwise, make an ATOL claim through the CAA.
A3: In some cases, yes. If airline has confirmed you on another flight, it could still be an option to travel, but you may not be covered for accommodation and extras.
A4: Jetline Holidays, Balkan Holidays and Trafalgar Travel have also stopped trading.
A5: Well, yes, the industry is shrinking. In the UK one in five travel agents have shut in the past five years as a result of the battle online and rising costs.
A6: Book with ATOL/ABTA-protected firms every time, pay by credit card and purchase thorough travel insurance.