Great Little Escapes LLP has ceased trading as an ATOL holder, leaving approximately 141 customers with forward bookings facing potential disruptions. The Sandhurst-based travel company, operational since 2002, lost its financial protection scheme coverage on 13 June 2025, affecting holidays booked under multiple trading names including Your Holidays and Tunisia First.
The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that no customers were overseas at the time of the failure. However, those with upcoming bookings may face uncertainty about refund entitlements and alternative travel arrangements. The collapse adds to a growing list of UK travel company failures in 2025.
What Happened to Great Little Escapes LLP?
Great Little Escapes LLP (ATOL 5933)
Ceased trading on 13 June 2025
Sandhurst, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Around 141 customers with forward bookings affected
Key Facts About the Failure
- The company traded under several names: Great Little Escapes, Your Holidays, and Tunisia First
- Websites included www.themaldives.co.uk, www.yourholidays.co.uk, www.thecaribbean.com, and www.greatlittleescapes.co.uk
- ATOL number 5933 permitted the company to carry up to 500 passengers
- The CAA has stated that no customers were overseas when trading ceased
- Regulatory authorities are currently gathering information from the company before processing claims
- Travel agents holding consumer payments must not issue refunds until instructed by the Air Travel Trust
| Fact | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Great Little Escapes LLP | ATOL.org |
| ATOL Number | 5933 | Travel Weekly |
| Cessation Date | 13 June 2025 | ATOL.org |
| Location | Sandhurst, Berkshire | ATOL.org |
| Trading Names | Great Little Escapes, Your Holidays, Tunisia First | ATOL.org |
| Customers Affected | Approximately 141 with forward bookings | Travel Weekly |
| Operational Since | September 2002 | Travel Weekly |
| Current Protection Status | ATOL protection lost | Independent |
Why Did Great Little Escapes Collapse?
The Loss of ATOL Protection
The company lost its Air Travel Organiser’s Licence protection, which is a critical financial safeguard for UK package holiday customers. The ATOL scheme, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority, ensures that consumers receive refunds when travel firms cease trading and provides repatriation for those already abroad. Without this protection, customers face significant uncertainty regarding their booked holidays.
The specific financial reasons behind the ATOL revocation have not been publicly disclosed. The company was not officially declared insolvent at the time of the announcement, though regulatory authorities are still collating information about the business operations.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has warned that persons making fraudulent ATOL claims following the failure may be prosecuted under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006, with a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. Customers should only submit legitimate claims through official channels.
Customer Holiday Risk Assessment
Holidays booked directly with Great Little Escapes are now at risk. Customers who purchased package holidays that included flights and accommodation may be covered under the ATOL scheme if their bookings were registered before the licence was revoked. However, those who booked individual components separately may have limited protection.
What Is Great Little Escapes and Where Is It Based?
Company Background and Operations
Great Little Escapes LLP was established in September 2002, making it a long-standing player in the UK travel market with over two decades of continuous operation. The company was headquartered in Sandhurst, Berkshire, a town in the southeast of England known primarily as a location of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The company operated across multiple online platforms targeting various holiday destinations. Its websites included www.themaldives.co.uk, which focused on Indian Ocean destinations, www.yourholidays.co.uk as a general booking portal, www.thecaribbean.com for Caribbean travel, and www.greatlittleescapes.co.uk as its primary brand presence.
Trading Names and Brand Presence
Customers familiar with the company may have encountered it under any of its three trading names. Great Little Escapes served as the primary brand, while Your Holidays operated as a consumer-facing portal. Tunisia First indicated a specialisation in North African destinations. All three names have now ceased active trading following the company collapse.
The diversity of trading names and destination-focused websites suggests the company attempted to target multiple niche markets within the package holiday sector, potentially expanding its customer base across different travel interests and preferences.
What Should Customers Do After the Great Little Escapes Collapse?
Immediate Steps for Affected Customers
Customers who had bookings with Great Little Escapes should refrain from submitting claims until the Civil Aviation Authority completes its information gathering process. The regulatory body has stated it is “currently collating information from the company” and will provide updated guidance as soon as possible.
Those with travel insurance should review their policies to determine whether coverage applies to company failures or insolvency. Additionally, customers who paid by credit card may have protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, while those who paid by debit card should contact their bank to discuss potential chargeback options.
Travel agents holding consumer payments not yet transferred to Great Little Escapes LLP must not use these funds to issue refunds until receiving specific instructions from the Air Travel Trust. The CAA will contact travel agents individually with guidance for affected bookings.
Understanding ATOL Protection Entitlements
Customers whose bookings were protected under ATOL should be entitled to either a full refund or alternative holiday arrangements, depending on the specific circumstances of their booking and the availability of replacement services. The ATOL scheme specifically covers package holidays that include at least two components, typically flights plus accommodation or car hire.
For those planning future travel, exploring options such as flights to New York from the UK through different operators or considering hotels near Disneyland Paris from alternative providers may provide greater security during this period of industry instability.
When booking package holidays, always verify that the operator holds a valid ATOL licence and check whether your booking includes financial protection. The ATOL certificate should be provided at the time of booking, and customers should retain this documentation for their records.
When Did These Events Unfold?
- : Great Little Escapes LLP begins operations under ATOL number 5933
- : Jetline Holidays collapses, marking an early failure in the year’s travel sector instability
- : Balkan Holidays ceases operations, two months before the Great Little Escapes failure
- : Great Little Escapes LLP loses ATOL protection and ceases trading
- : Travel Weekly reports the closure with confirmation of 141 affected customers
- : Major UK news outlets publish detailed coverage of the collapse
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Great Little Escapes LLP ceased trading on 13 June 2025 | The specific financial reasons for ATOL revocation have not been disclosed |
| The company was based in Sandhurst, Berkshire | Whether the company has entered formal insolvency proceedings |
| Approximately 141 customers have forward bookings affected | Exact refund timelines and processing procedures |
| Trading occurred under three names: Great Little Escapes, Your Holidays, and Tunisia First | Total financial value of affected bookings |
| No customers were overseas at the time of failure | Whether all affected customers will receive full refunds |
| The CAA is currently gathering information from the company | Long-term impact on the company’s remaining assets and operations |
How Does This Fit Into the Broader Travel Industry?
The Great Little Escapes collapse occurred amid broader instability in the UK travel sector during 2025. The failure followed closely on from the collapses of Jetline Holidays in March 2025 and Balkan Holidays in April 2025, suggesting systemic pressures affecting smaller tour operators in the current market environment.
Industry analysts have noted that rising fuel costs, fluctuating exchange rates, and post-pandemic consumer behaviour changes have created challenging conditions for travel companies. The ATOL scheme provides important consumer protection, but the recent spate of failures highlights the importance of booking with financially stable operators.
The Civil Aviation Authority continues to monitor the situation and process claims through the Air Travel Trust. Customers are advised to check the official ATOL failure notice for updated information as it becomes available.
What Are the Official Statements?
“The Civil Aviation Authority is currently collating information from the company and will update this information as soon as possible.”
— ATOL.org official failure notice
“No customers are believed to be overseas at the time of the failure.”
— Civil Aviation Authority statement via Travel Weekly
The Civil Aviation Authority has urged affected customers to await official guidance before submitting claims. The regulatory body is working through the information provided by the company to determine the appropriate next steps for processing refunds and providing alternative arrangements where possible.
What Customers Need to Know
Great Little Escapes LLP has ceased trading, leaving approximately 141 customers with forward bookings facing potential disruptions. The loss of ATOL protection means that customers should verify their booking status through official channels and await guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority before taking action. The company’s operational history since 2002 and multiple trading names suggest a broad impact across different customer segments who booked various holiday packages over the years.
While the specific reasons for the ATOL revocation remain private, the broader context of travel industry instability in 2025 provides important lessons for consumers about the value of financial protection when booking package holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest news on Great Little Escapes from BBC?
Major UK news outlets reported on the collapse from 16 June 2025 onwards, confirming that Great Little Escapes LLP ceased trading on 13 June 2025 with approximately 141 customers affected. The Civil Aviation Authority has stated no customers were overseas at the time of failure.
Was Great Little Escapes protected by ATOL?
Great Little Escapes previously held ATOL number 5933, which provided protection for package holiday customers. This protection was revoked when the company ceased trading on 13 June 2025.
How many customers were affected by the Great Little Escapes collapse?
Approximately 141 customers with forward bookings are known to be affected by the company’s failure, according to reports confirmed by Travel Weekly.
Where was Great Little Escapes based?
The company was headquartered in Sandhurst, Berkshire, in the southeast of England. It operated under the trading names Great Little Escapes, Your Holidays, and Tunisia First.
What should I do if I had a booking with Great Little Escapes?
Customers should not submit claims until the CAA completes its information gathering. Review your booking documentation, check any travel insurance coverage, and monitor official ATOL updates for further guidance.
Are holidays booked with Great Little Escapes at risk?
Yes, holidays booked directly with Great Little Escapes are at risk following the loss of ATOL protection. Customers should await official guidance and explore alternative protection options such as credit card chargebacks where applicable.
What other travel companies have collapsed recently in the UK?
Jetline Holidays collapsed in March 2025, and Balkan Holidays ceased operations in April 2025, both contributing to a pattern of instability in the UK travel sector during 2025.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.