In a significant blow to British holidaymakers, a UK-based travel company specialising in package tours and flights to popular Asian destinations has abruptly ceased trading, leading to the cancellation of all its services. The firm, originally known as Haivenu Tours with offices in Vietnam, expanded into the UK market in 2022 under the name Asiara Holidays, offering trips to Thailand, China, India, Japan, and Singapore.
Official Dissolution and Trading Cessation
After filing to be struck off the Companies House register in October 2025, Asiara was officially dissolved on January 13, 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that as of January 21, 2026, the Ipswich-based business has ceased trading as an ATOL holder. This means all tours and flights booked through Asiara UK have been cancelled, leaving customers without their planned holidays.
Refunds are being processed through ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licensing) and Protected Trust Services (PTS), although the company's website remains operational, potentially causing confusion. Affected customers requiring assistance with their bookings have been advised to contact PTS directly via email at emma.collis@protectedtrustservices.com.
A Growing Trend in Travel Industry Closures
Asiara's collapse is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend in the travel sector. Already in early 2026, several other UK travel companies have ceased trading, including Regen Central Ltd, Gold Crest Holidays, and Simply Florida Travel Ltd. This follows a series of high-profile collapses throughout 2025, such as Ickenham Travel Group Ltd, Great Little Escapes LLP, and Jetline Travel Ltd.
The issue extends beyond the UK, with smaller global agencies like Budapest-based Unitravel Kft, Canadian Vegas Vacations, and Icelandic Tango Travel also going into liquidation last year. Industry analysts attribute these failures to factors like major partners going bankrupt and larger foreign companies aggressively infiltrating local markets, squeezing out smaller operators.
Understanding Your Rights and ATOL Protection
For customers impacted by such cancellations, understanding your rights is crucial. According to Citizens Advice, you are entitled to a full refund if a company cancels your package holiday. This protection primarily comes from ATOL, which offers financial security for bookings that include a flight.
Through ATOL protection, customers can claim a refund for the package itself, but it does not cover separately booked elements like car hire. While ATOL may occasionally arrange for another operator to take over your trip, Money Saving Expert notes this is "rare and not guaranteed."
The CAA scheme's website advises: "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. 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."
This situation underscores the importance of booking with ATOL-protected companies and staying informed about your consumer rights, especially in an increasingly volatile travel market where company failures are becoming more frequent.
