Gap year travel operator in administration

More than 150 young cash-strapped travellers have been stranded overseas, according to media reports.

Travel Insurance News - 23/03/2009

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About a week ago, administrators were called in after Global Xperience became the latest travel operator to fall victim to the economic downturn. The company specialized in placing young travellers on adventure and volunteer projects globally.

Currently, there are 163 young travellers who were placed by Global Xperience in programmes around the world. They received the news by email and letter, according to a report in The Independent.

Year Out Group, a trade association body, noted in a statement: “On March 13 2009 Stephen Katz and David Birne of Fisher Partners were appointed joint administrators of The Ethical Travel Group Limited, which traded as Global Xperience.”

The statement continued: “As a result of the administration Global Xperience is unable to fulfil its obligations in regard to future bookings with the company.”

A teenager at a hospital in Ghana on a three-month placement said to The Independent that she had to move from her accommodation in a secure compound to a Salvation Army hostel, after being informed she would have to ay an £2,000 to stay in her secure accommodation. The young woman said she paid for the trip in full before leaving the UK.

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