Thousands Left in Limbo as Trusted Travel Firms Fold
If you had your bags packed for an affordable getaway to the Maldives, a relaxing Caribbean retreat, or an all-inclusive spa in Tunisia, your dream trip might have just vanished. Two big names in the UK holiday market—Great Little Escapes and Jetline Travel—abruptly collapsed, sending shockwaves through the industry and wrecking holiday plans for thousands of customers.
Great Little Escapes, a firm out of Berkshire, had built up a loyal customer base by offering a range of breaks under several brands. That’s Your Holidays, Tunisia First, and even tempting, simple-to-remember sites like themaldives.co.uk and thecaribbean.com—all now silent. The company, popular with families, couples, and anyone after a good deal, ceased trading as an ATOL holder. That means any bookings made directly with them are now under review, with no services running and plenty of uncertainty for those who hoped for a chilled escape this summer.
It’s not just them, either. Jetline Travel had been around for a solid 25 years, helping hundreds of thousands of Brits see the world. From package holidays to complex itineraries, Jetline handled it all—until the markets got too rough. The company went into administration in March 2025, with Alan Clark from Carter Clark and Neil Bennett from Leonard Curtis parachuted in as administrators to pick through the pieces and figure out what, if anything, can be saved for customers and creditors.
What Happens to Holidaymakers—and the Industry?
There’s little sympathy from the authorities for a panic reaction. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) wasted no time telling affected customers to put the brakes on compensation claims for now. Submit one early? It’ll be rejected automatically, the CAA says, as they sift through all the numbers and start untangling who’s owed what. Meanwhile, travel agents who got advance payments from hopeful travelers are getting detailed instructions so funds don’t disappear into the ether.
The timing couldn’t be worse. This is peak season—when bookings flood in and when people plan for much-needed sun and relaxation. Instead, there’s a wave of unease streaming through the UK travel world: agents are getting swamped by frantic calls, while families with hard-earned getaways are left with more questions than answers. If you booked a trip, your next move depends on how you paid, who your booking was with, and what insurance you have. ATOL protection offers some hope, but the process takes time and patience—something in short supply right now.
Add it all up, and the collapse of two brands in such quick succession throws a spotlight on a shaky travel industry that’s still reeling from past shocks. Rising costs, unpredictable travel restrictions, and big changes in how people book holidays have companies on edge. And with Great Little Escapes and Jetline Travel falling out, insiders worry this may just be the start, not the end, of disruption for holidaymakers this season.
Jun, 17 2025