Brilliant Weekends Travel collapses

Bristol-based operator stopped trading early last week, leaving future bookings in question and 23 staff without jobs.

Travel Insurance News - 11/09/2008

<< Help for stranded passengers on the way | Travel News | UK airline XL goes into administration >>

The owner and managing director or the travel operator, Richard Dennys, said that it was the low demand for tour packages and the strength of the euro against the pound that had forced the collapse of Brilliant Weekends.

He reported that the company’s debt was in the range £300,000-500,000, but did not release the identity of the main creditors. He said also that no customers were currently abroad on holidays but that there were approximately 150 bookings for future trips - and that those customers will be affected by the company’s failure.

Dennys stressed that Brilliant Weekends would do everything it could to arrange for other tour operators to take on the future bookings. He asked that customers have patience as he tries to work through this difficult period. "We are desperately sorry for the distress and inconvenience that this will cause. I want to apologise sincerely to customers and staff and assure them that we are doing our best to resolve the situation.”

Customers of Brilliant Weekends who purchased upcoming holidays using a credit card should contact the company immediately, requesting a refund. Those who booked a holiday that included a flight should be covered by the company’s ATOL licence, and those customers are urged to contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for assistance.

"If you have booked the flights directly with the airline and not as part of a complete package then you will not be covered by the CAA/ATOL protection scheme and should refer to your credit card company."

<< Help for stranded passengers on the way | Travel News | UK airline XL goes into administration >>