Another High Street Travel Agent Closes Its Doors
Another travel agent has ceased trading, entering liquidation a mere three years after it first opened its doors. New Era Travel in Alresford, Hampshire, has closed down, and its office premises are now up for sale, marking a swift end for the independent business.
The Short Life of New Era Travel
The company, which opened in 2022, offered a variety of holiday options to local residents. Its services included exclusive coach tours departing from locations such as Alresford, Fareham, and Wickham. Despite its initial offerings, the agency could not sustain its operations.
A note posted on the door of the now-shuttered office confirms the situation. It reads: 'With deep regret, we must inform you that New Era Travel has ceased trading and is in the process of liquidation.'
The message expressed 'sincerest gratitude' to every customer who had supported the business over the years, stating it had been a 'privilege helping you plan your adventure.' Crucially, the note offered reassurance for many customers, confirming that all ABTA-protected travel bookings, including packages, flights, cruises, and holidays, would proceed as planned.
A Wider Pattern of Travel Industry Instability
The collapse of New Era Travel is not an isolated incident within the UK and European travel sector. This closure follows the recent bankruptcy of a European tour company, Reykjavik-based Tango Travel, which was forced to cease operations at the start of this month. Its collapse was a direct result of the shutdown of budget airline Play, as Tango's tour packages relied heavily on its flights.
Closer to home, Cornwall's tourism board, Visit Cornwall, went into voluntary liquidation in October due to what it described as 'insurmountable financial problems'. The non-profit, which had been promoting the destination since 2015, called the decision to close an 'incredibly difficult' but 'only responsible choice'.
Furthermore, earlier this year, British travellers were left in limbo when UK-based company Great Little Escapes went bust. The Berkshire firm, which claimed to offer the 'best cheap breaks in the UK', folded, placing many holidays at risk after it stopped trading as an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) holder.
This series of failures highlights the ongoing challenges and financial pressures facing businesses within the travel and tourism industry.
