Adventure tour operator collapses
UK adventure tour operators are rallying round to offer assistance to customers of Kumuka Worldwide, which has ceased trading.
Founded in 1983, Surrey-based Kumuka which sold adventure holidays, was well-known in the Australia market where it recently offered holidays as prizes to housemates in the latest Big Brother TV contest. Clients around the globe are believed to have been hit by its collapse.
It was licensed to carry 500 UK passenger a year. The Civil Aviation Authority said it was too early to say how many clients were affected, but it was likely to be only a small number.
Dragoman, Imaginative Traveller and Intrepid Travel are among rival adventure travel companies offering support for Kumuka customers.
Intrepid Travel is offering customers booked to travel before September 18 a 20% discount on equivalent tours; those due to travel from September 19 to December 31 are being offered 15% off Intrepid holidays, all subject to availability.
Intrepid is also offering a hotline for agents and customers to re-book holidays.
Dragoman is offering to pick up any stranded Kumuka passengers with on-the-road discounts of up to 25%. Both Dragoman and sister brand Imaginative Travelller have pledged to sell Kumuka customers alternative trips at the same price.
Intrepid managing director Geoff Manchester said: "It is sad to see the closure of a company that we have long respected as a collaborator in building the adventure travel sector. We understand that this is a distressing time for Kumuka staff and our thoughts are with them.
"It is also distressing for travellers who have paid for airfares and got time off work to take a dream trip. We hope that we can help them to still enjoy an amazing adventure."
Topdeck Travel general manager Bec Whiffin said it was very sad news: "Our thoughts go out to the staff and passengers of Kumuka."
Topdeck Travel is offering a 10% discount on all Topdeck trips for passengers with a Kumuka booking.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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