THOUSANDS of Scottish customers of two major travel firms face the prospect of losing their summer holidays after both Super Break and Laterooms.com were placed in administration.
The companies’ owner Malvern Group went bust yesterday, and trading ceased immediately leaving customers of Manchester-based Late Rooms and York-based Superbreak Mini Holidays, known as Super Break, in the dark over their holidays, especially after Malvern closed its contact centres.
The jobs of the group’s hundreds of employees are at risk, but travel business sources say that both firms could be sold in ongoing concerns after restructuring.
It is not known how many Scots are affected, but an estimated 400 people are currently on 167 Super Break bookings in the UK and Europe, and the forthcoming holidays of as many as 53,000 people are at risk.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has Super Break as a member, but online platform Late Rooms is not.
In a statement, ABTA said: “If you booked directly with Late Rooms, customers are advised to contact the hotel as we understand that payments were made directly to the hotels and therefore bookings should go ahead as planned.”
In regards to Super Break, it said the “vast majority” of holidaymakers’ arrangements would be covered through the Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) scheme ABTA itself, or credit card companies.
ABTA added: “These customers will either be entitled to a refund or, if they’ve booked through another travel company, they should contact them to discuss options which may include continuing with their booking, re-booking or alternative arrangements.”
ABTA also suggested rail, coach or Eurostar tickets might be valid for travel while rail company LNER said it would honour all existing tickets.
Immediate advice and a warning was issued by Ken McLeod, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) .
He said: “This is another significant blow for travellers in the height of the summer season There will be holidaymakers currently on Super Break trips and who have booked trips but have yet to travel who will be affected by this.
“Those who have booked through a travel agent will be able to rely on their agent to assist them with the next steps. Travellers should contact their travel agent as soon as possible.
“Consumers who have booked online or directly will have to act themselves and we know from similar previous issues that getting this can be challenging for them. Sadly, it appears highly likely that all Super Break holidays which have not yet departed will be cancelled.
“If you have a booking with LateRooms.com which you booked yourself through their website, you should contact the hotel directly as soon as possible to confirm your booking.
“Laterooms.com was an agent acting on behalf of the accommodation suppliers and therefore your booking should be secure as Laterooms will not have take or held payment on behalf of the accommodation provider. You should be able to pay your hotel directly.
“This is the second major blow for Scottish travellers in 48 hours, coming on the back of the news that BA pilots may strike in the coming month. It demonstrates that, booking via a professional travel agent is the informed and sensible choice.”
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