Scheme failing agents: Magellan GM

Scheme failing agents: Magellan GM
By admin


The collapse of Air Australia and the likelihood that creditors will receive little has demonstrated the failure of the existing consumer protection structure, the general manager of Magellan Travel Group has declared.

“The inadequacy….of the scheme is plain to see,” Andrew Macfarlane said.

Not only are consumers left in the lurch as airline failure is not covered by the Travel Compensation Fund, but agents too have been stung.

“Agents are copping credit card chargebacks and in many cases electing to refund all clients regardless of the form of payment,” he said. “They [agents] are waiting to see what funds if any they can recover from IATA, consolidators and wholesalers.”

He added: “Consumer protection ought not be contingent on the vendor and the form of payment. It should be broad based and equitably applied.”

Macfarlane said the Travel Industry Transition Plan for the reform of regulation should “move decisively” to address the problem.

He also urged consolidators and wholesales to support travel agents by recovering funds where possible and returning them to retailers.

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]