A luxury UK travel company offering private sailing holidays in popular destinations across Europe and Asia has gone into administration. Belfast-based Salamander Voyages is officially closing its doors after over two decades.
Company announcement
The holiday firm confirmed the news by posting a message on its website: 'After 23 years of wonderful sailing in the Aegean Sea, we are very sad to announce Salamander Voyages has taken the difficult decision to close its doors.' The family-owned company specialised in private, personalised boat trips — taking wealthy families to hot spots in Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and Italy.
Industry trends
The firm is one of many UK travel businesses that have shut down over the past year. In April 2025, Balkan Holidays, which had been trading for nearly 60 years, collapsed. And in January of this year, Regen Central Ltd, an agency that sold flight and hotel holiday packages for Europe and Southeast Asia, went into liquidation.
Reasons for closure
Salamander Voyages hasn't gone into detail regarding the specific reasons behind the decision, instead directing people to contact Scott Murray and Ian Davison of Keenan Corporate Finance Ltd, who were appointed as Joint Administrators of the Company, for any creditor queries. Currently, the company's Instagram is still live — however, the last post went up eight weeks ago.
Company history
Prior to its collapse, Salamander Voyages prided themselves on creating luxury tailored journeys for all their clients. Known for being highly customisable, over the course of 23 years, the company bought a fleet of traditional wooden gulets (yachts). The goal was to provide a 'no surprise' package deal, with fares covering everything from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, wine and drinks on-board and any airport transfers.
Pricing and itineraries
Salamander Voyages' bespoke itineraries were detailed — and came with a rather eye-watering price tag. In 2022, H&M Magazine reported that a seven-night private charter was available from £15,250 (£1,270pp), based on 12 guests. However, recent sources point to the firm's sailing holidays starting from £3,000 per person. On the docket in 2026 was a voyage across the Turkish Gulf between June 15 and 22, which involved visiting 'small villages, pristine secluded bays and less-known historical sites.' And in October, there was another sailing trip planned in Turkey to explore the western half of the Gulf.
Refund information
When companies collapse, bookings are cancelled and holidaymakers can be left out of pocket if their packages fall outside ATOL or ABTA protection coverage. As Salamander did not include flights as part of their package deals, their holidays were most likely protected via ABTA. However, Salamander is not currently listed on the ABTA register. If you had a booking through the firm, check your booking and documents, to confirm whether it came with ABTA protection.
What to do if you had a booking
If your trip wasn't ABTA protected, you lose the safety net for refunds. However, it doesn't mean you can't still try to get your money back. If you had an upcoming booking with the company, contact the administrators as per Salamander's advice, to find out more. This can be via telephone at 028 9023 3023 or email at info@keenancf.com. You should also contact your travel insurers, who can advise you on your next steps.
Understanding ATOL and ABTA
Both ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licensing) and ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) provide financial protection for UK travellers if the company they booked their holiday through goes bust. ATOL covers flight-based holidays, and helps customers with refunds, and getting home if they're stranded abroad. ABTA covers holidays that don't involve flights (trains, cruises, road) and helps with complaints and refunds. Regardless if your trip is ATOL or ABTA protected, you must always still get travel insurance.
According to Citizens Advice, you're entitled to a full refund if the company cancels your package holiday. Through ATOL protection, you'll get a refund for the package itself, but it won't cover any other elements booked separately, such as car hire. And while it may also be able to find another operator to take over your trip, Money Saving Expert says this is 'rare and not guaranteed.'
'If you are due to travel on an ATOL protected trip and your travel company has ceased as an ATOL holder, we will offer advice on what steps to take,' the UK Civil Aviation Authority website explains. 'We'll let you know how to claim an ATOL refund. Our advice will often be either not to travel or, if you are in possession of flight tickets issued by the airline and they have confirmed they are valid, you can travel but you may need to pay for the cost of replacement services and then claim for these.'
