AITO member collapses
Holidaymakers who booked trips with AITO member Bents Bicycle & Walking Tours are being advised to contact the Civil Aviation Authority after the company ceased trading.
The Shropshire-based company – a member of AITO since 1992 – carried just under 500 clients annually on its self-led cycling and walking holidays to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy.
Launched by owner Stephen Bents, it had been running cycling tours for 28 years and walking tours for 22 years.
AITO said it was only the fourth member to cease trading in the Association’s 38-year history. AITO chairman Derek Moore said: "We are sad to see Bents, a specialist cycling and walking company, failing. AITO’s record over the past 38 years has been exemplary, as is recognised by the CAA and other bond providers."
Passengers’ arrangements will be covered via the company’s bonds with the CAA and ABTOT, said AITO. Some 33 people were due to depart on holidays within the next seven days and a total of 63 were due to holiday with the firm this month.
Those who are already abroad will still be able to return home on any pre-booked scheduled flights, said the CAA.
Customers who are due to travel on pre-booked packages who don’t have flight tickets, or who choose not to travel, might be able to claim refunds from the CAA or, if they paid by credit card, from their card provider.
Those who still want to travel should contact their airline to make sure their flights are still valid, it added. If they do use their flight, the cost will be deducted from any claim.
Claims for refunds must be submitted by August 14, 2015.
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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