Independent agency Trafalgar Travel in Guernsey is closing after 42 years in business, blaming rising costs and shift to online bookings.
Manager Charlie Coyle said it was a ‘very sad and tough decision’.
He posted on the agency’s Facebook page: “It is with a very heavy heart that I advise that Trafalgar Travel agency will cease taking new bookings as from Monday 17 February after which the Agency will go through a controlled close.
“It is expected this will take until the end of May.
“The decision to close wasn’t an easy one however with recent trends to online bookings and increased overheads, we have had to make this very sad and tough decision.”
He assured customers their existing bookings were in ‘very safe hands’, adding: “All existing bookings travelling before the 1st of June 2025 will be dealt with normally by the team at Trafalgar Travel and we will reach out to finalise your arrangements and provide you with your travel documents as normal.
“All existing bookings travelling after the 1st of June 2025 will be transferred to an alternative agency and we will reach out to you to advise of the change shortly. We are working hard with alternative travel agents to ensure you receive the same high level of personal service that we offer and that the transition is as smooth as possible.”
Charlie added: “I would like to take this opportunity, to thank you wholeheartedly for your support over the years and placing your trust in us to make your dreams a reality. Every booking has been a pleasure for us to manage for you and your support has meant we have continued to do the job we all love doing all these years. We can’t thank you enough.”
One customer described the closure as the ‘end of an era’, while another described the team as ‘amazing’, adding: “Nothing was ever too much trouble, they always went above and beyond for their customers.”
