Gold Crest Holidays, a family-run coach tour operator based in West Yorkshire, has ceased trading and entered voluntary liquidation with ABTA managing refunds
A well-established travel company has announced it has ceased operations after more than three decades in business. Gold Crest Holidays, headquartered in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, has confirmed it halted all activities with immediate effect on January 23, 2026, and is “deeply saddened” to have entered voluntary liquidation.
The family-owned coach holiday specialist, which focused on excursions to Disneyland Paris, European city getaways, and major sporting fixtures, blamed a combination of financial difficulties for the shutdown.
Gold Crest Holidays, which also traded under the brands Advent, Advent Tours and Overseas Dream Weddings, has announced that all upcoming departures have been scrapped and that ABTA will handle customer reimbursements.
The company explained the decision followed the “severe” consequences of the Covid-19 crisis, alterations to crucial business partnerships and a tough commercial climate marked by rapidly rising expenses, reports the Mirror.
The firm revealed on its website on January 23 that it had suspended all operations.
The business expressed gratitude to holidaymakers, travel agents, suppliers and employees for their support throughout the years, stating it was “deeply saddened” to be forced to stop trading, according to the Express.
The announcement on the website states: “After more than 30 years of creating unforgettable holidays, we are deeply saddened to announce that Gold Crest Holidays has ceased trading with immediate effect and has taken steps to enter voluntary liquidation.
“This difficult decision follows the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, strategic changes in key partner arrangements that adversely affected our business, and a challenging trading environment with significantly rising costs.
“We are immensely grateful to our loyal customers, travel agents, suppliers, and dedicated staff for your support over the years. We are truly sorry we can no longer continue.”
A statement for customers on ABTA’s website also reads: “We are sorry to inform you that Gold Crest Holidays Ltd, also trading as Advent, Advent Tours and Overseas Dream Weddings, ceased trading on 23 January 2026 and we are now treating this company as a financial failure. We regret that all future packages have been cancelled. If you are holding tickets for certain events, these may still be valid, and you can contact the event organisers to check this. You will, however, have to make alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.
“If you have booked travel arrangements with Gold Crest Holidays Ltd, you should follow the advice set out below. Customers who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent before following the guidance below. Your travel agent will need to provide some information to us to assist with your claim.
“Customers who booked and paid Gold Crest Holidays by credit card should download a credit card referral letter and send to their credit card issuer for a refund.”
Gold Crest Holidays has built a strong standing with its customers, with most Trustpilot reviewers giving the firm a five-star rating.
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