Argentina specialist tour operator fails
A company that specialised in trips to Patagonia in Argentina has failed.
The Independent Traveller said in a message on its website that it had no option but to cease trading due to the closure of Argentina’s borders.
It said: "It was our hope that Argentina would avoid the devastation of Covid-19 by its very early lockdown. Sadly this has not proved to be correct.
"The Argentine border remains shut and inbound tourism is not possible. There is no indication that this will change and to complicate matters a mandatory 14-day entry quarantine period is mandatory."
The Surrey-based company had hoped to organise a Patagonia total eclipse tour in December. It added: "Like all companies who seek to operate a tour during a commercially sensitive time – such as an Eclipse, our contracts mandated very early pre-payment of hoteliers etc. These pre payments were made and are non-refundable.
"As a result of this, the company has no option but to cease trading and take the necessary steps to place The Independent Traveller into insolvent creditors voluntary liquidation.
"Every possible avenue has been explored in order to attempt to avoid this, and it is with great regret and sadness that I write to you."
The ATOL-registered company has appointed WSM MBI Coakley as liquidators. The CAA said: "We are currently collating information from the company and will update this page as soon as possible."
By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)
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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