London-based Golf Travel Group Ltd has said it is still in business, despite no longer operating as an ATOL holder.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Monday afternoon that Golf Travel Group has been classified as a ‘failed ATOL holder’.
The CAA said: “Golf Travel Group Ltd – ATOL 11319 has been classified as a Failed ATOL holder on 31 March 2025.
“The company held an ATOL up until 30 September 2024. Bookings and payments made after 30 October 2024 are not ATOL Protected under ATOL 11319.
“The company based in London traded under the names Golf Travel Centre and Chaka Golf Travel and website(s) golftravelcentre.com and chakatravel.com.”
The CAA said it is currently collating information from the company and will provide an update as soon as possible.
CEO Patrick McCaghy told Travel Gossip the company is still operating and only 15% of its business involved ATOL bookings. The other 85% of business doesn’t include flights and Golf Travel Group remains a member of ABTA.
He said bookings including flights have been ‘re-routed’ via a third-party ATOL holder and Golf Travel Group isn’t currently taking any more flight bookings.
He declined to say which ATOL holder is facilitating existing flight bookings, but said it is a ‘big operator’.
Patrick said: “We decided to facilitate ATOL bookings through different means. All flight bookings that were placed with ATOL have been or will be transitioned to another ATOL provider.”
He said the company hopes to renew its ATOL. “We’re still talking to the CAA and working with ATOL on an adjusted application at this moment. We’re still ABTA bonded.”
