Turkey specialist fails
A Turkey specialist operator has collapsed with around 300 forward bookings, the CAA said today.
Mapmart, a London-based company trading as Alternative Travel and Turkish Riveria Golfing Holidays, failed on April 9.
The CAA said its collapse served as a timely reminder of the importance of booking ATOL-protected holidays ahead of the Easter break when families will be looking to book their summer holidays.
"Whilst the collapse could have potentially resulted in consumers being left out of pocket, those with ATOL certificates have the peace of mind that their money is safe," said a CAA group director of consumer protection Richard Jackson.
The CAA has published advice for anyone affected by the collapse of Mapmart on its website and further information including a claim form for those consumers with ATOL certificates wishing to claim refunds for their holidays will be available shortly.
Accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy yesterday claimed the number of travel company failures rose 45% to 77 last year to the end of March, although this figure was disputed by ABTA which claimed there were just 17 ABTA and ATOL failures.
ABTA said it had a total of 11 failures for the year to the end of March, seven of which were also ATOL holders.
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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