Dan Sullivan, president and chief executive of Collette, confirmed the sales team announcement to TTG.

Jeff Roy, executive vice-president of revenue management at Collette, added in a statement: "In order to focus on its expanding operations in the US, Canada and Australia, Collette has decided to no longer have a physical presence in the UK marketplace beyond April 30, 2020.

"Collette continues to accept new reservations for travel up to April 30, 2020, which will operate with full Atol and Abta protection."

Existing reservations will operate as booked.

"Agents and guests can continue to travel and book with confidence," added Roy.

"For travel by UK guests beyond April 2020, Collette is evaluating offering their global product line in the UK on a wholesale basis."

The move follows the departure of UK managing director Carl Burrows and head of marketing Michelle Laverick in March last year.

Christian Leibl-Cote, Collette senior vice-president of global business, said at the time the departures were part of a “change to the UK division following a strategic decision to restructure” and that the shake-up could affect a small number of other Collette staff in the UK.