Global Vision International (GVI), based in Exeter, offered charitable travel programmes across the globe for 28 years, providing placements in conservation, education, and community development in countries such as Costa Rica and Fiji.
The company announced its closure at the start of July, leaving customers unable to travel.
Many of those affected are gap year students and recent graduates who had paid for placements intended to boost their education and career prospects.
UK travel company GVI enters liquidation
GVI offered programmes including nature and conservation trips, including locations such as Costa Rica, Fiji and more.
It was part of the “voluntourism” sector, combining voluntary work with adventure travel, and was popular with school leavers and gap year students.
The news of GVI entering liquidation was revealed suddenly.
Andrew Valentine, chief executive of GVI, issued a statement on its website, saying: “For nearly three decades, GVI has been far more than just an organisation.
“It has been a global family with a shared vision.
“It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write to share that GVI is today closing its doors.
“This is a deeply sad conclusion to a remarkable journey, but as we navigate this final chapter, we look back with immense pride and gratitude for everything we achieved together.”
The statement continues: “Over the last 28 years, we successfully supported critical wildlife and marine conservation projects to safeguard endangered ecosystems, partnered with local communities through collaborative education and sustainable livelihood initiatives, and welcomed an incredible network of alumni who continue to advocate for our planet.
“GVI may be coming to an end, but the impact we have built together on the ground is too important to let go.
“Because of this, our hope is that the conservation and community initiatives continue.
“While the journey will look different in the future, our personal dedication to supporting our on-the-ground partners remains unchanged, and it is my sincere wish that our global community will continue to carry that flame forward.”
Mr Valentine also expressed regret for the impact on participants and assured that GVI staff would support those on placement.
All participants have been told that programmes are cancelled, and they should expect formal instructions about how to lodge claims with liquidators.
GVI offered trips to various places such as Costa Rica (pictured), FIji, and more (Image: Getty Images)
Students left out of pocket after UK travel company GVI closes
Amy Taylor, 21, from Manchester, had paid £4,000 for a conservation internship in South Africa.
“I was so happy within myself when I got accepted,” she told BBC Newsbeat.
“I was just so excited about the future that I might have.
“There’s essentially absolutely nothing I can do about it.”
Ms Taylor, who is studying wildlife conservation and zoo biology, said the experience was meant to help her stand out to employers and launch her career after graduation.
She said that she is relying on her bank to reclaim her money as her travel insurance was booked through GVI.
Amy said: “If I don’t get the money back, I can’t go anywhere else and I don’t really trust anyone at the moment to be able to go anywhere else.
“It didn’t seem like they were struggling – everything looked professional.”
Another customer, Anna, said she was set to fly to Cambodia in July with GVI for a four-week research fellowship.
The university student from Cheshire says her trip cost more than £2,500, and that she has so far only been able to claim back part of her flight.
Another student, Linus Rowland-Bell, 23, from Liverpool, paid £2,258 for a placement in the Amazon rainforest in Peru after discovering GVI at a university careers fair.
He said: “To save up that money I worked two days a week alongside my studies.”
Mr Rowland-Bell reported concerns after repeated delays and contradictory communication from the company.
He eventually received an email from the Peru centre on June 28 saying it could not accept new participants because GVI had not paid it for six months.
Two days later, customers were notified of GVI’s liquidation.
He said: “The thought of all that money, all that time that I’ve saved up, that excitement completely vanishing into the ether, it was terrifying.”
Mr Rowland-Bell managed to reclaim the full amount through his bank.
Newsquest has approached RG Insolvency, who are overseeing GVI’s liquidation, for comment.
Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026
The closure of GVI follows several UK-based travel companies that have shut down so far this year.
Nine other UK travel companies which have ceased trading in 2026:
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Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation this year:
- Ascend Airways (liquidation)
- EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
- Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
- European Cargo (administration)
Have any of the above travel company closures affected you this year? Let us know in the comments.
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