- September 16, 2026 5:08 pm
Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd, a Liverpool-based independent travel agent, has ceased trading after nearly 19 years in business, effective September 9. For customers with existing bookings, their holiday plans are generally expected to continue as normal, as the company acted as an agent rather than a tour operator.
The travel agency, founded in 2007 and located at 26 County Road, Walton, Liverpool, announced its cessation of trading on September 9. Its director was Robert Saunderson of Southport. The company offered a wide range of holidays to destinations across Europe and long-haul locations such as New York, Goa, Las Vegas, Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus.
According to the Liverpool Echo, a spokesperson for Barnes Worldwide Travel stated that the decision to cease trading was “one of the most difficult things” they had to do. The company cited the difficulty of operating since the Covid pandemic, three years of travel restrictions, a “heavy financial burden” that became hard to control, increasing overheads, and tough competition from online travel giants as reasons making it “impossible to continue”.
ABTA, the travel association of which Barnes Worldwide Travel was a member, has confirmed that bookings made through the agency should remain valid. This is because Barnes Worldwide Travel acted as a travel agent selling holidays from various tour operators, rather than being the principal operator of the holidays itself. The Herald, along with Travel Weekly, reported ABTA’s advice to customers.
If you have a holiday booked through Barnes Worldwide Travel, you will need to identify the tour operator or other principal travel business responsible for your booking. This information should be clearly stated on your booking paperwork. For flight-inclusive holidays, the tour operator will also be named on your ATOL Certificate under the section ‘Who is protecting your trip’.
ABTA advises customers to contact the credit control department of their named tour operator or principal travel business. Your booking should proceed as planned, and the operator will become your direct point of contact. It is important to have all your documentation ready, as they may require information from it to assist you.
The company spokesperson also indicated that customers with upcoming travel would be contacted shortly regarding ticketing arrangements, and those with bookings further ahead would be contacted directly about moving their booking to the tour operator. For further assistance, ABTA can be contacted on 0203 758 8730 or via email at [email protected].
Yes, in most cases, your holiday booking should remain valid. Barnes Worldwide Travel acted as an agent, meaning your contract for the holiday is with the tour operator or principal travel business they booked it with.
You should contact the credit control department of the tour operator or principal travel business named on your booking paperwork or ATOL Certificate. They will become your direct point of contact.
The company stated that trading became “impossible to continue” due to challenges faced since the Covid pandemic, including three years of travel restrictions, a significant financial burden, rising overheads, and intense competition from larger online travel agents.
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