Specialist operator Belleair Holidays is to cease trading today after 40 years in business, prompting calls for agents to support independent suppliers or risk losing them.

The operator posted on its website to say it was: “Time to say goodbye.”

It added: “After 40 years, the time has come to call it a day. We will stop selling holidays after 31 October 2022.”

Belleair started out selling packages to Malta before expanding, firstly into the Med, then further afield.

Belleair’s message on its website continued: “We thank all our customers for giving us the opportunity to arrange their holidays.

“We truly shared many amazing journeys together. We also thank out employees and associates – it would not have been possible without you!”

It added all packages and flights are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

News of the operator’s closure prompted a call for agents to support more specialists.

Ashley Quint, Senior Holiday Designer at Travel Time World, tweeted: “Another iconic travel brand is disappearing – Belleair used to be the name for Malta.

“We should all support independent travel brands, as they are the backbone to our industry – which provide product and service like no other.”

He told Travel Gossip: “There used to be so many independent operators. Some of them have been bought up by biggest companies but we need to make sure that we support those smaller companies who have the same ethos as us and are also independent.

“It’s very easy to go to somebody who’s bigger and forget about the smaller operators that don’t necessarily have the clout or marketing power to compete – and then it’s too late.”

Travel agent Helene Kirkham posted on the Travel Gossip Facebook group to say: “Belleair was always a ‘go to’ for Malta and it’s a tragedy that its name will now disappear along with all the other great stalwarts of our industry. Thank you for the past 40 years.”

Companies House filings show directors Nigel Borg-Cardona and Steve Spiteri ceased having significant control of Belleair parent company Crownshield Travel Ltd in September 2021, with Red Keep Properties Ltd named as taking over significant control.

Two directors, Stephen Michael Hearn and Anthony Borg-Cardona stepped down as directors this year, in February and October respectively.