A business travel agency facing questions about allegations of fraud by customers left out of pocket has collapsed.
Black Tip Travel confirmed that the business, based in Tonbridge in Kent, ceased trading last month.
Owner and sole director Dale Whitney admitted he could have dealt with the situation better.
The firm, founded in June 2017, lost its membership of Advantage Travel Partnership and Abta in September.
Action Fraud received complaints from a number of customers before Christmas and passed evidence on to the National Fraud Investigation Bureau.
Aggrieved customers said they had paid thousands for long-haul flights to find airlines and operators had no records of them. Some found out on arrival at the airport.
Whitney said in a statement on the firm’s website: “It is with regret that as of December 2018 Black Tip Travel Ltd ceased trading due to insolvency.
“The company was forced into this position once advice was given from an insolvency practitioner that the company should not carry on trading, it was seen to be too risky that more customers would be put at risk later on down the line if it carried on taking bookings.”
He added: “I will admit that over the past couple of months I have not dealt with this situation very well, which has made the outcome even worse for some for which I apologise heavily.
“I have found this extremely difficult to deal with personally and I can promise this has not been intentional.
“This has caused many to feel like this entire company was a scam, which it was not.
“Every booking we took we fully intended to fulfil and just a small percentage of people that used this company have been affected by these issues, with many satisfied customers and bookings during its lifetime.
“On a personal note I want to let those affected know that I am deeply sorry. I know this does not change the anger and stress caused but it’s important for me to say this as it is very true.”
More: Black Tip Travel questioned over insolvency [Dec 18]