​Gold Crest Holidays, based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, ceased trading on Friday, January 23, after more than 30 years in business and has now entered voluntary liquidation. The company specialised in coach packages to Disneyland Paris, European city breaks and major sporting events, as well as UK short breaks and themed holidays. Its advertised itineraries included countryside and heritage tours with excursions to areas such as the Cotswolds, alongside seaside breaks and city stays. A notice to customers says all future departures have been cancelled and the business has stopped trading with immediate effect. Travel industry body ABTA is treating Gold Crest as a financial failure and has confirmed that customers with package bookings protected by its scheme can claim refunds for holidays that will not go ahead. Reports say the collapse affects coach holidays booked through both travel agents and direct with the company, covering trips in the UK and overseas throughout 2026. Gold Crest’s liquidation comes amid a series of failures involving UK travel businesses, with Oxfordshire Travel Limited also in liquidation. Industry commentators have pointed to rising operating costs, pressure on household budgets and tighter margins in the coach and package holiday sector as factors behind the recent wave of insolvencies. For Gold Crest customers who had booked Cotswolds or countryside itineraries as part of a coach package, the liquidation means holidays will not take place, and passengers will need to seek refunds or rebook with alternative operators.