Travel Counsellors puts focus on consumer protection
Melbourne-based travel company, Travel Counsellors, has launched a consumer protection arrangement to shield customers from financial loss from third party default.
The current Travel Compensation Fund protects customers in the event of a default by the travel agency or the supplier only if the agency or supplier is a TCF member.
The new financial protection scheme arranged by Travel Counsellors will provide additional protection for the customer if any supplier, wholesaler or airline booked through Travel Counsellors defaults.
David Speakman, chairman and founder of Travel Counsellors said: "We were concerned that as the Travel Compensation Fund is set to disband on July 1, 2014, consumers could be left with inadequate financial protection, and may be in danger of losing their hard earned cash if a travel provider does fail.
"We have had an initial discussion with AFTA regarding its planned accreditation scheme.
"While we may consider joining in the future, we feel that challenges remain for AFTA in delivering a credible all-encompassing level of financial protection to all consumers."
Speakman said that "over the last few years" there have been a number of high profile collapses within the travel industry in Australia so consumers, "rightly, are wary".
"Our new scheme will ensure our Travel Counsellors don’t need to worry about anything they are selling, as everything booked through them will be financially protected.”
Travel Counsellors, which currently operates in seven countries, was founded in the UK in 1994.
Ian Jarrett
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