School tours operator Pinnacle Travel, which failed on Wednesday, had forward bookings involving several thousand school students.
The numbers have yet to be confirmed, but Travel Weekly understands between 3,000 and 4,000 school students have been affected. All are expected to be able to continue their tours as planned if schools chose. Those who do not should be refunded.
A spokeswoman confirmed Sussex-based Pinnacle Travel had 100 groups with forward bookings, with 30-40 per group. Company staff and administrators have been contacting the schools before giving further details. The failed company has no connection to agency Pinnacle Worldwide based in Northern Ireland.
Tour operator Visions Holiday Group, of West Sussex, has arranged to buy some of the assets of Pinnacle Travel from administrator Antony Batty & Co. It said schools would have the option of assigning their bookings to Visions Holiday Group.
Pinnacle Travel was an Abta member and Atol licensed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed customers would still be able to travel, but said they “may be asked to pay again for some or all of any other arrangements booked, such as tours, hotels, excursions, car hire”.
The CAA said: “If you do travel with these tickets, it is on the full understanding that the CAA will not be able to assist if you have any difficulties whilst overseas. However, upon your return you may be able to make a claim from the CAA for additional costs incurred. You may prefer not to travel and to apply for a full refund.”
Other school tour organisers have offered to assist. Tui Travel’s school ski specialist SkiClass said it would work with Abta “to ensure teachers, parents and pupils do not suffer any financial losses and still be able to enjoy their skiing trips. We will guarantee that schools and pupils will still be able to travel to the ski resorts of their choice.”
Pinnacle Travel had operated since 1998. There were no groups overseas when it went into administration.