Coach operator to take over Bowen Travel group bookings
The UK Holiday Group has agreed to operate most of the group holidays booked through failed operator Bowen Travel.
Bowen liquidators Deloitte said it had facilitated negotiations between Bonded Coach Holidays, the government-backed financial protection scheme for coach holidays, and the UK Holiday Group, which is the parent company of Grand UK Holidays and Just for groups!
"The UK Holiday Group is pleased to announce that it has now made contact with all Bowen Travel group bookings and most of those holidays will continue as planned," it said in a statement released today. For group bookings, customers should approach their group leader in the first instance.
Paul Bennett, managing director of The UK Holiday Group, added: "We are delighted to be able to stand in to rescue the holiday plans of so many people, and we acknowledge the efforts made by the team at Deloitte and BCH in making it possible."
Just for groups! has also recruited two Bowen employees.
Individual bookings for coach-based package holidays booked before October 25 are covered by Bonded Coach Holidays and claim forms were sent to these customers on November 9.
Bookings for other holidays booked through Bowen after January 1 are being honoured by Hays Travel, which has been contacting customers and suppliers to notify them.
For retail bookings made before January 1, customers should contact the company named on their confirmation invoice and their holiday will go ahead as normal, said Deloitte.
If customers booked before January 1 and need further help they can contact ABTA via www.abta.com.
Day trips are not covered by BCH or ABTA. However, customers who paid by credit or VISA debit cards may be able to claim from their card issuer, it said. In the event that customers have paid for a trip which is not covered by BCH, ABTA or a card provider, their claim will rank as an unsecured creditor in the liquidation.
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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