The CAA and Abta have issued advice to agents and consumers following the collapse of Super Break and LateRooms.com parent Malvern Group.
Abta said Super Break currently has 400 customers on holiday overseas or in the UK and 20,000 forward bookings affecting 53,000 customers.
Abta said the majority of holidaymakers’ package bookings are covered by Abta financial protection, while others will be covered by Atol and credit card arrangements, depending on the type of booking.
Around 250 of those currently on holiday are overseas and are Atol protected.
Agents have been working through the night trying to re-book clients left without holidays.
More:Agents ‘work through the night’ to re-book clients following Malvern Group collapse
Malvern Group goes into administration
A notice on LateRooms’ website recommends direct-sell customers to contact their accommodation supplier before their stay.
LateRooms was not a member of Abta but consumers who booked accommodation through a travel agent are advised to contact their agent for further advice.
Administrators for Malvern Group are due to be appointed today.
Malvern’s most recent accounts for the year ending March 2018 reported a loss of £2.26 million on a turnover of £90 million. The group employed 350 staff.
The group said: “Unfortunately, given the short time frame enabled by our cash position and despite interest from potential purchasers, we have been unable to secure bank support or a sale of the business.
“As a result, Late Rooms Ltd (LateRooms.com), Super Break Mini-Holidays Ltd (Super Break) and Malvern Travel Technology Limited are unable to continue on a solvent basis and have ceased trading.”
CAA advice
“If you are a travel agent of Superbreak Mini-Holidays Ltd and you are currently holding consumer payments which you have not yet paid to Superbreak Mini-Holidays Ltd, you are advised not to refund consumers with these funds until you have received instructions from the Air Travel Trust.
“Travel agents will be individually contacted by the CAA with specific instructions for these bookings.
“If you are a travel agent or an Atol holder considering providing alternative holidays to consumers of Superbreak Mini-Holidays Ltd and wish consumers to assign their claim to you, in the first instance you should email agent.info@caa.co.uk and we will issue you with instructions.
“Bookings which do not include a flight element are not covered by the Atol scheme and consumers should visit abta.com/superbreak.”
Abta advice
“The majority of holidaymakers’ package bookings are covered by Abta financial protection, while a significant proportion of other arrangements are covered by other types of protection including Atol and credit card arrangements, depending on the type of booking.
“These customers will either be entitled to a refund, or, if they’ve booked through another travel company, they should contact them to discuss options which may include continuing with their booking, re-booking or alternative arrangements.
“Customers who are currently on holiday on Abta-protected packages (rail or other non-flight packages) should be able to continue with their trip as planned, but can contact Abta if they encounter any difficulties with arrangements.
“Customers who are on holiday on Atol-protected packages (flight-based packages) should be able to continue with their trip as planned but if they encounter any difficulties should contact the CAA.
“Customers who have booked with Super Break should visit abta.com/superbreak where we have specific guidance on next steps and how to progress a claim through Abta, Atol, the consumer’s card provider or through another type of financial protection scheme, if required.”