Shortbreak operator ceases trading
ABTA member Diamond Shortbreak Holidays Ltd has ceased trading today due to financial difficulties.
The Market Harborough company sold a range of short breaks including coach trips, rail journeys, river cruises, walking holidays, festive and shopping breaks and city breaks mainly in the UK, but some overseas.
ABTA estimates there are almost 7,000 forward bookings protected by ABTA, comprising approximately 16,000 passengers.
"This is clearly going to be very worrying for the thousands of holidaymakers who have booked with the company," it said.
"Although unfortunately we have to confirm that their holidays are cancelled, the company’s non-flight based package holidays, such as coach or rail trips, are fully protected through ABTA.
"These kind of trips formed the majority of the company’s business, and customers with one of these bookings are advised to go to abta.com where they can start the process of claiming a refund."
ABTA said everyone booked on packages will get a refund on the money they have paid, in some cases this may be through their bank or credit card company. It is providing the necessary paperwork.
Customers who need more help can contact ABTA’s claims team on 0203 758 8743.
A small number of customers with flight-based holidays will be protected through the ATOL scheme and should contact the CAA.
The company’s website claims there is a technical problem which it is trying to resolve.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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