Usher Travel Worldchoice is the latest UK travel firm to cease trading this year, after Balkan Holidays Ltd (April 2025), Jetline Travel (March 2025), and Great Little Escapes LLP (June 2025) all shut their doors.
Bookings have been impacted by the closure of Usher Travel Worldchoice(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
An independent travel agent has ceased trading – the latest in a worrying run.
Now, Usher Travel Worldchoice is joining them. The independent firm, based in Wallasey, Merseyside, has ceased trading. Usher shut up shop on 16 October 2025. “We are now treating this company as a financial failure,” announced ABTA, the UK’s largest travel association that offers financial protection to holidaymakers.
The news was followed by an emotional message from director Gavin Morton, who has been with the business for 35 of the 60 Usher was trading. He described the decision to close as “quite literally one of the most heartbreaking moments” of his life.
“Covid took much away from us. And while we came through the other side, three years of heavy travel restrictions and in many cases a loss of client confidence in travel left a financial burden that was becoming more and more difficult to manage,” he said.
“The loyal clients, many of whom have become friends and helped create the relaxing and fun atmosphere in the office, will be something the team will miss in our day-to-day lives.”
Anyone who has a holiday booked with the firm will be contacted shortly with regards to ticket arrangements. Forward bookings will be transferred from the agency to clients’ tour operators, Mr Morton said.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused, but rest assured we will be assisting ABTA and Worldchoice in the smooth transition of booking ownership.”
ABTA has the following advice for Usher customers:
“If you booked a holiday through Usher Travel Service Ltd, the tour operator or principal travel business with whom Usher Travel Service Ltd 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 your tour operator or other principal travel business with whom you have a contract (you should ask to speak to the credit control department). They should confirm that your booking will continue as normal and they will now be your direct point of contact.
“If you booked a flight-only with Usher Travel Service Ltd and were issued with a ticket or e-ticket, you will need to contact the airline, but your tickets should be valid for travel.”
The Facebook announcement on Friday prompted an outpouring of support from loyal customers and rivals.
Mary Dibbert wrote: “So sorry to hear this. You have been part of Wallasey for so long. All of the staff there were always friendly and you all went out of your way to help people. I wish you Gavin, Barry and Laura every best wish for the future. Many thanks for all the times you booked my trips and gave holiday advice.”
Travel Counsellor George Triggs, who worked at Going Places in the same town, added: “Ushers were always our biggest competitors. But truth be told, one of the most respected too. You and your team were always spoken about with such admiration locally, and that’s something to be incredibly proud of.”
The NHS has approved medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy to tackle obesity and diabetes, with private prescriptions also on the rise
10:12, 17 Jul 2025Updated 11:19, 17 Jul 2025
It’s important to have valid travel insurance when going abroad(Image: Chalabala via Getty Images)
Experts have issued a warning that approximately half a million individuals using weight loss injections could potentially jeopardise their travel insurance this summer. Medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, utilised to combat diabetes and obesity, have experienced a surge in demand following their NHS approval.
Private prescriptions for these drugs are also on the rise, with an estimated 3.4 million people predicted to be eligible for treatment on the NHS alone over the next 12 years. However, those using these weight-loss injections are now being cautioned that they could risk their crucial travel cover if they plan to holiday this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, it’s mandatory for travellers to disclose any pre-existing conditions and medication when obtaining insurance. Yet, many people using weight-loss injections might not view it as medication or may neglect to declare it when purchasing cover.
Experts have clarified that these drugs are categorised as treatment, even if procured online without a GP’s prescription.
They warn that failure to disclose usage of weight-loss injections and any associated health conditions could result in insurers refusing to pay out in the event of a claim, reports Bristol Live.
Kara Gammell, from comparison website MoneySuperMarket, has advised: “If you’re prescribed these drugs for obesity, diabetes or any other condition, it’s essential to declare both the medication and the underlying health issue when buying your policy.
“Failing to do so could invalidate your cover – even if your claim has nothing to do with the treatment.
Ms Gammell also warned that those receiving private prescriptions must still disclose their medication, stating: “Insurers don’t distinguish between NHS and private prescriptions – if you’re taking it, they need to know. The fact that it wasn’t prescribed through your GP doesn’t exempt you from disclosure.”
She emphasised the necessity of transparency, particularly for those who have procured medication privately. Even individuals consuming these drugs without a prescription are not excused.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) warns: “If any prescription medicine is taken without approval from a doctor, especially if it may have side effects that could lead to complications, this could void your cover and cause issues should you need to make a claim.”
The Association of British Travel Agents has also advised ITV News that it is always wise to check with the FCDO travel advice to see if there are any restrictions in place when taking medications into the country you are visiting.
Not all countries have given the green light to the same weight-loss medications as the UK, and airport authorities might raise questions about any drugs they discover, particularly if they’re not sanctioned in their nation.
The ABI found that the average insurance claim for individuals aged between 36 and 40 is £518, which jumps to £1,830 for those aged 71 to 75. In more extreme scenarios, insurance claims can soar into the tens of thousands.
Yet, securing single-trip coverage for Europe can be quite economical, starting at just £16, according to Go Compare. ITV’s experts advised: “First of all, you need to declare a pre-existing condition to your travel insurance provider anyway. This will likely result in a higher premium, but if you do not and the provider finds out, they may cancel your cover.”
They further caution: “They will also likely refuse to pay out if you fall ill due to the condition while on holiday. If one of the jabs has been prescribed for the preexisting condition they it is unlikely you will need to also reveal the medication you are taking for it.”
Insurance companies, including industry leader Aviva, have varied stances on this matter. Aviva insists that customers must disclose any diagnosed illnesses, diseases, or injuries for which they’ve been prescribed medication, clarifying: “This includes anyone who has been prescribed weight loss medication for obesity.
“If a customer fails to disclose a medical condition for which they’ve been prescribed medication, we will not cover any claims relating to this under the terms of the policy.”
Staysure also recommends that customers disclose their use of weight loss injections, treating them like any other prescribed medication. Not doing so could void your insurance for any medical claims ‘directly or indirectly linked to the medication’.
The insurer added: “We can provide cover if the jab is prescribed by your GP or through a registered pharmacy, it’s part of a proper weight-loss plan, is on your medical records and your doctor confirms you are fit to fly.
“You’ll also need to make sure the jab doesn’t clash with any other medicines you’re taking, which will be assessed by the medical professional.”
Admiral Group requires customers to reveal medical conditions like obesity and diabetes, though not necessarily the medication itself. A spokesperson clarifies: “Failing to disclose the underlying condition it’s prescribed for – typically obesity or diabetes – could invalidate the policy.”
Co-op notes that failing to declare medication wouldn’t ‘automatically’ void coverage, though if the injections are connected to a medical condition, this should be mentioned during medical screening.
The Post Office consistently advises customers to declare any medical condition requiring prescription medication. It’s advisable to discuss this with your insurer.
It’s wise to secure written confirmation that your policy covers the treatment.
Ms Gammell recommends travellers to carry a copy of their prescription or a doctor’s letter and keep their medication in its original packaging: “This helps avoid issues at customs and makes it easier to replace lost or stolen medication abroad.”
Travel company Great Little Escapes has been removed from the ATOL scheme and ceased trading, leaving Brits with holidays booked through the firm in chaos
16:02, 17 Jun 2025Updated 16:32, 17 Jun 2025
Travel company Great Little Escapes has been removed from the ATOL scheme and ceased trading(Image: PA)
British holidaymakers are faced with turmoil as bookings fall through following Great Little Escapes being stripped of its ATOL scheme membership and halting its operations.
The Berkshire-based firm touted itself as a provider of the ‘best cheap breaks in the UK’, focusing on city breaks, while Your Holidays boasted a varied offering, including deals for hen and stag dos, LGBT getaways and bespoke packages.
Falling into financial difficulty, the company’s latest figures reveal a near £77,000 loss last year and a hefty £186,000 deficit reported for 2023, says TTG, the travel industry’s news outlet.
Finding out your holiday company has gone bust can be a nightmare for travellers looking to jet off for a much-needed break(Image: Getty)
In the UK, it’s mandatory for any business selling holidays and flights to possess an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing), providing a safety net for consumers’ finances. The ATOL protection ensures that customers can either continue their planned trip or claim a full refund if a travel operator collapses, reports Wales Online.
Following the company’s sudden downfall, ATOL stated they are “currently collating information from the company” and will issue guidance promptly.
But now hundreds of summer breaks are in jeopardy and holidaymakers are desperate for clarity.
The authority also issued explicit guidance for associated travel agents, noting: “If you are a travel agent of Great Little Escapes LLP and you are currently holding consumer payments which you have not yet paid to Great Little Escapes LLP, you must not use these funds to refund consumers until you have received instructions from the Air Travel Trust.”
The collapse of this latest travel agency is sure to unsettle those thrifty holiday-seekers keen on saving on their bookings to have more spending money for beachside cocktails and souvenirs during their getaway.
What to do if your holiday company goes bankrupt
So, what’s the next step if your travel firm goes under? What rights do you have, and how can you reclaim your hard-earned cash?
Discovering that your holiday provider has folded is every traveller’s worst fear, especially when you’re yearning for that essential escape. Thankfully, various laws and regulations exist to aid you in getting a refund should things take a turn for the worse.
Your first port of call should be to touch base with your travel agent if you arranged your trip through them, to confirm your booking is still valid.
All providers offering services within the EU are bound by consumer protection legislation. According to the European Consumer Centres Network: “If you book a holiday, rental car, accommodation or a flight in the EU, Norway or Iceland and run into problems, rest assured that consumer rights are in place to support you.
“If your flight is cancelled, your baggage is lost, your cruise doesn’t go smoothly, or you miss your train connection, EU legislation will ensure you obtain redress.”
In the UK, travel companies that provide packages, including a flight, and sell them to customers must protect your money through the ATOL scheme.
As the Post Office notes, this means that if you booked your overseas holiday with an ATOL member and it goes bust before you travel, you can apply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a full refund. If you’re already on holiday when the company goes bankrupt, the CAA will arrange for you to return home.
ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, also provides financial protection for UK consumers who book holidays through ABTA members. This protection ensures that consumers receive refunds or assistance if their travel company goes out of business.
Package holidays and agency booking can also offer travellers extra reassurance and customer service. “Booking through a professional agent gives you the peace of mind that you are protected in the event of any changes to your travel,” said Sarah Davies, a travel advisor from Life Begins with Travel. “Even if just to have someone on the end of the phone to guide you through the process.”
Davies explained that many online travel companies weren’t members of ABTA, though, so it was important to ensure you choose a company with both ABTA and ATOL protection “so you don’t end up out of pocket and that you’re well looked after.”
Look for the ATOL logo when booking, and you should receive an ATOL certificate immediately after booking. You can also check a company’s ATOL status on the CAA website.
If you can’t reach the travel company, contact your airline and accommodation provider directly to confirm your booking and check that they’ve received your payment. If everything checks out, you should be all set to go on your hols.
However, if the booking doesn’t exist or you can’t get through to those companies, possibly because they’ve gone out of business, check your paperwork to determine whether you’ve ABTA or ATOL protection.
Making a claim
The Civil Aviation Authority notes that the refund process is quite straightforward. ATOL-protected consumers complete an ATOL Claim Form, and it then requests the documentation from the ATOL holder issued to the customer.
They will request evidence of payment to the ATOL holder or overseas supplier, depending on your claim type.
In some cases where you’ve paid by credit card, they may direct you to contact your card issuer for a refund. For more details, visit their website.
How to make a claim
Check your ATOL certificate or invoice to confirm that the trip was ATOL-protected and lists the ATOL holder.
Visit the CAA ATOL Claims Portal to submit your case as the Lead Passenger
You’ll need to provide an ATOL certificate/reference, booking and payment details, receipts for any extra costs
The CAA then processes the claim and may seek reimbursement through a credit card provider (Section 75), in some cases.
Will Travel insurance cover me?
Travel insurance doesn’t usually cover you if your holiday company goes bust — but some policies do include cover for things like “end supplier failure” or “scheduled airline failure.” It’s definitely worth having a quick look at the fine print to see if you’re protected.
Do I have Credit card protection?
If you haven’t got travel insurance in place at the point when your holiday company goes bust, you may be able to claim back your money through your credit card company.
To be eligible, you need to have paid more than £100 for your holiday or flights and booked directly with the holiday company or airline.
Next steps
Do not apply for CAA claims before they publish details about a failed ATOL holder
If you’re overseas, the CAA will inform you of the repatriation plan.
Upon failure, the CAA list is updated; find it on the ATOL portal .
Gather all documents: receipts, bookings, and communications; this will support your claim
At a glance:
If a travel company with an ATOL goes bust:
You’ll get a refund if you haven’t travelled yet.
If you’re already abroad, ATOL ensures you’re not stranded and helps bring you home.
It applies to package holidays and some flight-only deals sold by UK companies.
If something goes wrong:
First, go to the travel company.
If unresolved, and it’s financial or related to collapse, go to ATOL via the CAA.
For complaints not involving insolvency (e.g. poor service), escalate to an ombudsman or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body.
If you find out a company you have booked all or part of your holiday has gone bust or is facing an uncertain future, follow this guide so you know what you should do
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There’s a good chance you’ll be protected if your travel firm goes bust(Image: Oscar Wong/Getty Images)
It’s been a turbulent year for a number of travel firms. On Monday, it was announced that Great Little Escapes, based in Sandhurst in Berkshire, has ceased as an ATOL holder. The Civil Aviation Authority predicted that 141 customers had bookings impacted as a result.
Jetline Travel, a London-based company established in 2000 and parent company of Jetline Cruise, ceased trading as an ATOL holder in March. Now it has been taken into administration.
While a few hundred customers were impacted by JetLine and Great Little Escapes’ troubles, far bigger firms have previously folded, which has had much more significant consequences.
In 2019, Thomas Cook, the world’s oldest travel firm, collapsed, stranding hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers around the globe and sparking the largest peacetime repatriation effort in British history. The firm ran hotels, resorts and airlines for 19 million people a year in 16 countries. It had 600,000 people abroad when it went under, forcing governments and insurance companies to coordinate a huge rescue operation.
Holidaymakers should book with a credit card if they want to safeguard their trip(Image: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)
In 2010 British tour operator sun4u collapsed, leaving approximately 1,200 customers stuck abroad.
If you find out a company you have booked all or part of your holiday has gone bust or is facing an uncertain future, here is what you should do.
Get your phone out
As soon as you hear that your airline or holiday company has gone bust, you should sit down with your phone and start making calls.
If you booked with a travel agent, call them first. There’s a good chance that your trip will be protected if you did book through a travel agent, or that they can help you rearrange the impacted part of your trip.
If you can’t contact the travel company, go directly to your airline and accommodation provider to check they have your booking and that your payment has been made. If the booking is there, you should be fine to proceed with your holiday.
Check your paperwork
If you can’t find out if your booking is still in place, and you can’t contact your travel firm because they have ceases operator, then check your paperwork.
If the company you were travelling with was ABTA or ATOL-protected, then you should be okay. ABTA protection offers tavellers financial protection if a holiday company goes bust. The Association of British Travel Agents represents travel agents and tour operators that sell over £37 billion worth of holidays, so there’s a good chance that yours is among them.
The Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) has been protecting people booking package holidays since 1973, and by law every UK travel company that sells holidays and flights is required to hold such a licence. You can apply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a full refund if your firm goes bust before you travel, and the CAA will arrange to get you home if you’re on holiday when it does.
Good travel insurance may be able to help you out and offer additional assistance on top of what ATOL and ABTA can, but make sure to read the small print.
If you haven’t got travel insurance in place at the point when your holiday company goes bust, your credit card company may be able to step in. If you paid more than £100 for your holiday or flights and booked directly with the holiday company or airline, and paid by credit card, you may be able to claim through the Mastercard and Visa Chargeback scheme.
Card providers may reverse a transaction on your debit card, giving you your money back, if you ask them nicely.
