Long-haul specialist blames credit card fraud for collapse
A London-based operator specialising in holidays to the Middle East and Indian Ocean has ceased trading.
A message on Elegant Travels’ website blamed credit card fraud for its collapse.
The company, based in Barnet, also traded under the names Airchoice, Glen Carriers Travel and Travel Sri Lanka.
It owned the websites elegantdubai.co.uk, elegantmaldives.co.uk, eleganttravels.co.uk, glencarrierstravel.co.uk, travelmalayasia.co.uk and travelsrilanka.co.uk.
Elegant Travels was an ATOL holder so customers who booked flight-based packages should be able to claim refunds from the CAA.
A message on the company’s website said those who are overseas who hold scheduled flight tickets will be able to return to the UK as normal. However, passengers are advised to double check with their airline.
Customers who booked packages who have not yet departed will not be able to travel but might be able to claim refunds from via CAA.
Those who booked flight only might be able to travel, but will need to check with their airline.
Customers with hotel only bookings might be expected to pay again and these bookings will not be covered by the company’s ATOL.
A message on the company’s website this morning reads: "We deeply regret to announce that Elegant Travels Ltd has ceased to trade, following being a victim of credit card fraud, despite exhaustive attempts by the directors to rescue the company.
"On behalf of Elegant Travels, the directors wish to profusely apologise for the inconvenience and distress that this will cause to its customers."
The company, formed 11 years ago as Travelasia247, had one director, Sumendra Nishanth Edward.
HJS Solutions has been appointed as administrator but practitioner Karl Lovett said he was unable to provide any details regarding the collapse of Elegant Travels as liquidators have not yet been appointed.
He said the appointment should be made by the middle of next month.
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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