Global Vision International (GVI), a UK travel company specialising in conservation and volunteer holidays, has ceased trading after 28 years and entered formal liquidation. All current and future programmes have been cancelled, leaving customers seeking refunds and participants abroad being helped to return home.
Company Background and Operations
Founded in 1998 and based in Exeter, GVI organised wildlife conservation, marine protection and community development programmes in destinations including Costa Rica, Fiji, South Africa and Thailand. The company attracted travellers worldwide who sought to combine holidays with environmental and community projects.
Chief Executive Andrew Valentine announced the closure in a statement on the company's website, saying it was with an “incredibly heavy heart” that the business was closing. “For nearly three decades, GVI has been far more than just an organisation,” he said. “It has been a global family with a shared vision, dedicated to making a sustainable difference in our world.”
Impact on Customers and Staff
All current and future GVI programmes have been cancelled. Valentine confirmed that staff based overseas are supporting participants currently at GVI locations as they make plans to depart. “All impacted participants will receive formal correspondence detailing the liquidation process and instructions on how to lodge a claim,” he added.
The company expressed regret over the effect on staff, projects and customers, and committed to providing clear information throughout the liquidation process. Valentine noted that while GVI was coming to an end, he hoped its conservation and community initiatives would continue through its on-the-ground partners.
Industry Context
GVI's collapse comes amid continued pressure on parts of the UK travel industry, with several travel businesses having ceased trading in recent years despite strong demand for overseas holidays. The company had operated for 28 years, building a reputation for volunteer experiences focused on conservation, education and sustainable development.
