Travelscope Holidays in Administration

mum2one

TBeckett100 wrote: »

of course there is ATOL protection.

One woman on the radio last night said her child was "devastated" that it couldnt go to Germany.

Hardly the great flood now.

Yes but to a child, it may seem like the end of the world.

My daughters 5 and we have had tears about how father xmas is going to get down the chimney as we have a gas fire!

mum2one

dmg24 wrote: »

Agreed, and it really couldn't happen at a worse time of year.

My parents have travelled with Travelscope numerous times, and have found their staff, both at home and overseas, to be well organised and very professional.

As they were ATOL bonded the passengers will get their money back, the staff they are unlikely to recieve payment. Think it was on the radio that one of the directors had remortaged his house so that the staff (200 of them) would get paid.

Its affeected not just the passengers but inc coach companies who they contract out to, a local firm by us were due to go to Germany for xmas, but that got cancelled.

nearlyrich

mum2one wrote: »

Worth trying Archers Direct - there the coaching part of cosmos holidays and have some good prices.

www.archersdirect.co.uk or .com

I second this we went to China with them last May it was great value for money:beer:

ManAtHome

Saw the MD on telly - he seemed genuine enough (if understandably shellshocked), think they've been hit with delays to a new HQ, possibly added to by the credit-crunch.

Travel_Ranter

Traditionally it is this time of the year when travel companies have financial problems.

I think there's more than we are being led to believe.

Established companies don't go into administration due to office delays and credit issues.

It's a sad time for staff to loose their job and for consumers to loose their holiday.

It's good though that they were bonded so consumers should receive payment back in full - who knows how long that will take though.

RFU

I was due to go to the Six nations France v England at the Stade de France on 22nd feb to 24th feb. I only found out about the news from my daughter late last night that a travel firm had gone bust. I still havent seen a tv/ radio report about it, so if my daughter hadnt told me then I would be none the wiser. The official stance on the situation is that if your holiday is booked for travel before the 1st Jan 2008, then your holiday is cancelled. Travel dates after that may still be on. I quote from the official relese:

The position regarding departures due on or after Thursday 3 January 2008 remain uncertain. There are certain parties who have expressed interest in stepping in to fulfil the Company’s obligations to permit those holidays to continue however these discussions are ongoing. Further information will be

provided to all customers as and when it becomes available.

Its a shame because they were a very helpful company.

Fingers crossed. In the meantime, Im looking for either another package or 2 tickets. Any links welcome. But be warned, I will not pay tout prices. Just face value.

Regards
Andy

arlybarly

hi all
me my oh and 2 kids had booked to go to paris with travelscope for the new year as it was our treat for my 40th birthday, i paid 4 months ago and have only just found out about it in the sunday mercury this afternoon. i am not impressed at all. i dont think i can find another short break for the new year at such short notice as i was leaving on friday.

we have had a really really bad year this year and this break for my 40th birthday was the only thing that was keeping me sane. i am really !!!!ed off.

i wonder how long they will keep us waiting for the refund, suppose id better go and change the euros i bought yesterday back into pounds.

RFU

You could nip to the travel agents in your town and ask them what they have available leaving Friday. You may be very suprised at what they may have. I have seen an all inclusive in Madeira for £239 per person for 7 days.

Trying2Bpositive

Hello

We had booked and paid a deposit to go on a cruise with Travelscope, so I share everyone's dissapointment at holidays being cancelled.

On Phoenix's website (the company set up by former Travelscope staff) there is a form to fill in. This asks you to enter your previous booking reference and so on. There is also a drop down to specify "Flight, Cruise, Disney" etc.

The form says:

If you are a Travelscope customer who purchased a holiday from Travelscope then you may be able to continue with the same or a similar holiday of your choosing.

To do this you will need to complete the form below with as much information as possible. A Phoenix Holiday representative will then determine the status of your claim and revert back to you with all available options as soon as possible.

However elsewhere, and on news reports this morning, it says that any holidays involving flights will not be honoured.

I'm wondering if they are going to assess every one on its merits, and see if there's any way these pre-booked holidays can go ahead? Or am I being too optimisitic, and should just put my refund claim in to the CAA?

I've tried to call and email Phoenix this morning, but their lines are understandably busy!

Has anyone managed to get through?

Kind regards

Jim