Baldwins Travel has been expelled from ABTA with immediate effect after losing an appeal against the termination of its membership.
Nick Marks, Managing Director of the 11-shop Kent-based miniple, said he was currently exploring options for the business.
“We are obviously devastated by the news of the termination,” he said, “but the wellbeing of our hugely impressive staff and our clients is our priority.
“We are still open, and we are looking to talk to operators who want to work with us.”
ABTA initially terminated Baldwin’s membership in February, saying the company had failed to provide financial information.
It later reinstated the agency pending the outcome of an appeal, but in a statement issued today, an ABTA spokesperson said: “Following an appeal process, the membership of Baldwins Travel Agency Limited has terminated. With effect from 1 April 2025, Baldwins Travel Agency Limited is no longer a member of ABTA. ABTA members have been informed about the termination.”
In a message to ABTA members, the association said: “In February 2025, Baldwins Travel Agency Limited’s membership was terminated by ABTA’s Members’ Committee.
“The company appealed the decision, and their membership was reinstated pending the outcome of the appeal.
“The termination has now been confirmed following the appeal. With effect from 1 April 2025, Baldwins Travel Agency Limited is no longer a member of ABTA, and bookings taken by the company after that date are not covered by ABTA’s scheme of pipeline protection.
“Pipeline protection for ABTA principal members continues to apply to bookings that were made by Baldwins Travel Agency Limited during the period that it was in membership; this includes bookings made on 1 April 2025.”
Nick said Baldwins, which employs 56 staff, might be able to continue taking bookings, with clients paying operators direct. “This happens all the time, but we are exploring all options.”
The agency chain is still a member of Advantage Travel Partnership. In a statement, Advantage said: “We are in touch with the team at Baldwins to see how best we can support them as they consider their position going forward.”
Baldwins was bought by a private investment firm, Inc Travel Group, in September 2021, whose parent company Inc &Co has since become embroiled in a legal battle with Barclays Bank .
