The recent failure of the Low Cost Travel Group (which included the bed bank - Low Cost Beds) has affected many UK customers and Travel Companies who used their services.

 

It brings a couple of issues to the fore - financial protection (or lack of it) being the main one. A couple of years ago this same company performed a 'moonlight flit', relocating their whole operation to Palma, Majorca over the weekend - only informing the CAA after the fact.  

 

The CAA were not best pleased, but were powerless to invoke any real retribution because the offending company were effectively outwith their UK jurisdiction. They did however,  warn the public against using their services because they would not be covered by the ATOL protection scheme. Low Cost Travel Group protested and claimed that clients would be protected via the local Spanish scheme.

 

Fast forward a couple of years and with their failure, the doomsday scenario has materialised. Thousands of travellers are about to find out what level of protection is on offer from the Spanish scheme and many travel companies who have used Low Cost Beds are busy sorting out the mayhem which follows such a high profile, high season failure.

 

My advice to the trade is, pick your partners  well or have supplier failure insurance (or probably both).

 

More turmoil in Turkey with the attempted military coup, which can only suppress their tourism market further and again we reach out to our friends and associates who are affected during this difficult time.

 

There is nothing that can really be said to describe the recent events in Nice where over 80 souls, including many children, were lost in the Bastille Day c arnage - madness, badness - doesn't come close.  Our hearts go out to those affected and we offer our sincere condolences and support to our French cousins.