n Fraud squad probe into agency closures
The Fraud Squad and Plymouth Trading Standards Office are investigating the sudden closure of two Plymouth travel agents. Group Travel Bureau and Horizon (Sports) Group Travel both traded from the same address in Mutley Plain, Plymouth. A TSO spokesman said the firms were estimated to have liabilities of around £60,000 and more than 30 bookings had not been fulfiled. One booking was made by the charity DeafBlind, which had paid £19,000 for a group holiday to Spain. Police and the TSO are looking to speak to the director of both firms, Michelle Chapman, and her associate Don Keady.
n royal caribbean sees net income rise
Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced a 13.3% rise in net income to a record $170m for the third quarter. Revenue fell from $744.9m in the third quarter of 1998 to $734.5m this year. This change was prompted by a 2.8% drop in capacity after Song of America left the fleet earlier this year. US cruise giant Royal Caribbean Cruises operates two brands – Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises – with a combined fleet of 16 ships. Nine additional ships are on order including Voyager of the Seas, due to be launched next month.
n disney to decide on chinese theme parks
Disney expects to make a decision about whether or not to build theme parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai by early November, according to Judson Green, chairman of Walt Disney Attractions.
Hong Kong has already earmarked a site on Lantau island for a Disney theme park, which it believes will bring an extra 1.5m visitors to the city and encourage others to extend their holidays (Travel Weekly June 21).