UK and Australian-owned tour operator collapses
British and Australian-owned tour operator Tucan Travel has become the latest industry player to succumb to the impact of COVID-19, ceasing to trade with immediate effect.
No further bookings are being taken by the company, and customers with existing bookings will not be able to travel as planned, according to a statement on its website.
“Customers should review their confirmation email and travel itinerary which will confirm whether their booking is with Tucan Travel’s UK entity, Tucan Limited; or its Australian subsidiary, Tucan Travel Pty Ltd,” the statement reads.
Tucan Travel’s board of directors have already placed its local entity into voluntary administration, with its UK entity expected to formally enter into administration on or before 16 February 2021.
Australian and New Zealand customers who have paid for any travel with Tucan Travel using a credit card and/or PayPal are being urged to contact their financial institution to seek a chargeback or refund due to the company’s collapse.
Creditors of Tucan Travel who have any additional queries can contact Rodgers Reidy (the company handling the Australian entity’s administration process) by emailing RRNSW@rodgersreidy.com.au or phoning (02) 9262 1944.
The independent tour operator has specialised in adventure travel since 1987, offering more than 400 escorted group tours and tailor-made trips in over 70 countries. Tucan Travel also owns its fleet of overland expedition vehicles in South America and Africa.
The company’s local office is in North Sydney, with the UK office in London.
You can read Tucan Travel’s statement to customers below:
The coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on many businesses – in particular, the travel industry. During this challenging time, tour operators like Tucan Travel have faithfully tried to support people and balance their needs.
During this time, we had to make difficult decisions to keep the company alive, including many staff redundancies, most of whom are loyal, long-serving staff with families to support. Unfortunately, this now extends to all staff.
With clients’ welfare and best interests at the forefront, Tucan Travel took the decision early in March 2020 to suspend tour operations. There has been no satisfactory solution for tour operators to be able to address the number of clients wishing to receive immediate full refunds.
The reason for this is that tour operators effectively coordinate airlines, hotels and local services such as guides, permits and transportation for groups of clients. Tour operators are required to pay in advance to secure these services on behalf of their clients; many of these service contracts are non-refundable or non-transferrable.
In addition, many of the smaller overseas hotels and service providers that specialist tour operators support are in an even worse situation, they simply do not have the resources to repay what is owed to tour operators until they are able to reopen their business and earn money again.
No one could have predicted that in January 2021, most countries in the world would be in further tough lockdowns with many people losing their lives and loved ones. There is unlikely to be any normal international leisure travel until 2022, and so with a heavy heart, the decision was taken in the best interests of everyone concerned to place the company into administration.
I would like to thank all clients, suppliers and staff for their support over the years and hope you get to enjoy travelling again in the future.
Best wishes, Tucan Travel.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
administration administrators Tour Operator Tucan Travel voluntary administrationLatest News
Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland
Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]
Get ready to roll the marketing dice with Susan Coghill: Travel DAZE EXEC 2024
It's heating up in Cairns and we're not talking about the weather! Get ready for a marketing masterclass with Susan.
Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers
French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]
Cebu Pacific campaign aims to boost Aussie trips to the Philippines
Cebu Pacific's bouncy singalong ad campaign 'Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines’ aims to get more bums on seats.
Tauck’s new river and small ship ocean cruises, plus increased Seine capacity
Tauck adding itineraries like it's going out of fashion, which cruising certainly isn't.
Railbookers and La Dolce Vita Orient Express partner up for new luxury Italian itineraries
Fancy a luxurious trip through Italy? Who are we kidding, we know you do. Start your daydream here.
Luxury Travel Collection’s Nikki Glading spills all on member network perks: Travel Weekly TV
We urge you to enjoy this in true LTC style and lift a glass of bubbles with lunch today.
Auckland’s new domestic terminal comes with all the modern gadgets
We're not talking about drones or VR goggles, but these updates will change the game in Auckland.
Air New Zealand crew sign up for Sign Language Week
Have you signed up for Sign Language Week? Let this be your sign to do so!
Holland America Line gives one lucky winner the Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Experience
There's only one winner, so it's sort of like the Hunger Games of cruise prizes... but no one gets hurt.
TAG’s Byron Carr excited about K-Pop induced Asia expansion
Carr to go all Gangnam Style with TAG's Asian expansion
CATO commemorates 25 years with anniversary dinner
CATO's putting on a fancy spread to celebrate 25 years as other 25 year olds celebrate their HECS debt being cut.
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
Two days in Fiji! If you didn't attend this conference we're sure you've got FOMO.
Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents
World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]
Seabourn’s two new value-add offers for 2024-25
Seabourn's doing a two for one deal. Kind of like a fast-food promo but its luxury cruising.
PONANT commercial team expands to meet growing demand in APAC
Can't remember that Ponant contact you met at a networking event? Good chance they're included in this update.
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.
Etihad Airways boosts connectivity with five interline partnerships
Etihad high fives itself with interline partnerships announcing a handful of new airlines, including Rex.
Discover the enchantment of India – A tale of timeless cities
Whether you're game enough to test out the street food or not, we recon India should be top of your list.
Qantas cops $100m penalty with passengers to get $20m back over cancelled flights
Qantas cops a $100m civil penalty, passengers to get back $20m over cancelled flights to resolve ACCC court battle.
Body found off Sydney Heads suspected to be missing cruiser
Tragic developments onboard Pacific Adventure this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours ‘Wonderlust Sale’ offers the wonders of the world for less
More for less... Great news for all apart from Wendy's wallet.
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com launches new AI feature in Aus. We're hoping AI never gets the nuance involved with writing these jokes.
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.