Another British travel agency collapses after 39 years in business

The company offered holiday packages to short- and long-haul destinations (Picture: Getty Images) A UK travel company has officially shut its doors after almost four decades in business. Despite advertising holidays as recently as September, independent agency Wroxham Travel was plunged into administration on October 30, with all services suspended. First opened in 1987, Wroxham Travel offered UK staycations, long and short haul package breaks, as well as ocean and river cruises, safaris and rail tours across destinations such as Greece, Indonesia, Spain, Turkey, and Zambia. The company had two high street stores in Hoveton and Aylsham in Norfolk, but also appears to have made sales through email and phone. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said in a statement: ‘We are sorry to inform you that Wroxham Travel has ceased trading with effect from October 30, 2026. ‘We are now treating this as a financial failure.’ Wroxham Travel is shutting after 39 years (Picture: Google Maps) The trade association urged anyone who suspects an upcoming trip may be affected by the closure to check their documents, adding: ‘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.’ Which UK travel companies have shut down in 2026? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. The travel industry has faced a particularly difficult year, with dozens of UK holiday companies forced to close amid financial difficulties. This includes the knock-on effect from the war in Iran, which broke out in March and forced oil prices to shoot up, in turn increasing the prices of flights and holidays, with air fares rising by nearly 25% in April. In January, Regen Central Ltd, which specialised in flight and hotel packages to destinations across Europe and Southeast Asia, went into liquidation, leaving customers facing the prospect of losing money on their bookings. Just weeks later, UK coach operator Gold Crest Holidays also shut down, bringing its business to an immediate end, and Simply Florida Travel and Asiara UK both ceased trading by February. Many UK travel companies have shut down this year (Picture: Shutterstock / Tiwaporn Khemwatcharalerd) In April, luxury travel company, Belfast-based Salamander Voyages also closed after 23 years, while Bath-based Groupia Ltd went into administration in June, after 24 years in business. Norwich-based travel company SkiYodl Ltd followed suit in August, when it was announced the operator, which organised ski holidays to several European destinations, had ceased trading after 8 years. Global Travel Partners, which first launched in 2011, then became the latest casualty, suspending all services and going into liquidation back in October. How will customers be affected? Currently, it is unclear how many customers will be affected, and there’s no information on Wroxham’s website or social media pages advising next steps. However Hannah Mayfield, travel money expert with PayingTooMuch, tells Metro that because the company ‘acted as a travel agent, in most cases your holiday should still go ahead as planned.’ Check your holiday booking (Picture: Getty Images) Here’s everything Hannah says to do if you have a holiday booked with Wroxham Travel. Check your booking ‘The first step is to check your booking paperwork which should name the tour operator or travel company that Wroxham Travel arranged your holiday with,’ the expert explains. ‘If your trip includes flights, you will also find this on your ATOL certificate under “Who is protecting your trip”.’ Contact the travel agency ‘It is worth contacting that company directly to confirm your booking is still in place, and keeping all your documents to hand, as they may need information from them to assist you,’ Hannah adds. ‘If you are due to travel in the coming weeks, it is important to get in touch as soon as possible. This gives you time to resolve any issues before you leave, rather than finding out about a problem at the airport.’ Contact ABTA She continues: ‘If your booking cannot go ahead, ABTA should be your next point of contact for advice on getting your money back. ‘If you paid by credit card and the booking cost between £100 and £30,000, you may also be able to claim from your card provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. ‘For those who paid by debit card, it is worth asking your bank about a chargeback.’ Check your insurance ‘It is also a good time to check your travel insurance policy,’ Hannah urges. ‘Some policies include cover if a travel company goes out of business, but this is not always included as standard, so it is worth reading the policy wording carefully. ‘If your travel dates change, you will also need to let your insurer know, particularly if you have declared any health conditions. ‘Finally, be wary of anyone who contacts you unexpectedly offering to help recover your money. Only deal with the companies named on your paperwork, ABTA, or your bank directly.’ Our Top Shopping Picks QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year This Hoover vacuum is a game-changer for pet owners and muddy homes See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine Metro has contacted Wroxham Travel for comment. What are ATOL and ABTA and what protection do they offer if your holiday gets cancelled? Both ATOL and ABTA provide financial protection for UK travellers if a the company they booked their holiday through goes bust. ATOL covers flight-based holidays, and helps customers with refunds, and getting home if they’re stranded abroad. ABTA covers holidays that don’t involve flights (trains, cruises, road) and helps with complaints and refunds. Regardless if your trip is ATOL or ABTA protected, you must always still get travel insurance. According to Citizens Advice, you’re entitled to a full refund if the company cancels your holiday. Through ATOL protection, you’ll get a refund for the package itself, but it won’t cover any other elements booked separately, such as car hire. And while it may also be able to find another operator to take over your trip, Money Saving Expert says this is ‘rare and not guaranteed.’ ‘If you are due to travel on an ATOL protected trip and your travel company has ceased as an ATOL holder, we will offer advice on what steps to take,’ the UK Civil Aviation Authority website explains. ‘We’ll let you know how to claim an ATOL refund. Our advice will often be either not to travel or, if you are in possession of flight tickets issued by the airline and they have confirmed they are valid, you can travel but you may need to pay for the cost of replacement services and then claim for these.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Major Italian airport closes for the whole of November Arrow MORE: The best places to watch fireworks in London this Bonfire Night Arrow MORE: Six flights including two from UK grounded by bomb threats across Europe The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.