The London–based operator, which owned the Cuba Holidays brand among others, collapsed on Wednesday (29 May) after nearly 40 years in business.

Alan Meadows, trade sales development manager, said: “All of the team are still reeling from the news that we have received today and we wish to thank everyone for their amazing support for Cuba Holidays since our launch.

“Such a great destination, such amazing people – please continue to support this amazing island in any way that you can.”

Head of product Parul Jadav, added: “It’s been an amazing journey over the past 16 years working at The Holiday Place, having the opportunity to meet some amazing people and making lifetime friendships along the way.

“It breaks my heart that this has happened, but life goes on and we can only be thankful for the knowledge and experience we have all gained from such an amazing company.”

Other travel firms have rushed to help agents and their clients to rearrange trips they had booked with Holiday Place.

The CAA said that there were 450 holidaymakers currently abroad with about 2,500 forward bookings. The company was licensed for 32,000 passengers per year under its Atol.

Alan Bowen, legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, said Holiday Place’s last set of accounts, up to 31 March 2018, showed the company seemed to be “doing very well” with a turnover of just under £34 million and an operating profit of £548,000 for the financial year.

“I can only assume a complete loss of business,” Bowen told TTG. “Long-haul has generally not been struggling as much as short-haul, and Cuba has been a very popular place.”