Cadogan Holidays is to close

Cadogan Holidays is to stop taking bookings today after a decision to close the brand.

Managing director Neil Chapman said it had been an incredibly tough decision to make.

But he added that the independent tour operator market has massively changed over the last decade.

He said: "10 years ago it was always a package and now you need to have something extra.

"We tried with flights and hotels in Gibraltar and Morocco but the bottom line is, it didn't work."

The upmarket operator, which has been in operation for 64 years, will be working with its partners and suppliers to ensure all existing bookings continue exactly as planned.

But no further bookings will be taken after 5pm today.

Cadogan is sending a letter out to all agents stressing that the company is not going into liquidation and that all forward bookings will be honoured.

Chapman said: "I need to stress that Cadogan Holidays has not failed nor have we gone ‘bust' but instead we have taken what we feel is a responsible (and purely voluntary) decision to stop taking bookings.

"This is thank you and farewell."

He added that he would be happy to introduce agents with their own ATOL licences to contractors so they can work directly with them.

Cadogan Holidays is part of the Bland Group's Gatwick-based travel division Airbourne Representation Limited, alongside flight-only tour operator Teleticket and representation company Skybreak.

The group will continue to hold its ATOL for 25,000 passengers for its other trading divisions.

Cadogan relaunched as a Morocco and Gibraltar specialist in April after closing its Southampton offices.

With permission from Travelmole