Travelscene calls in administrators

CITY BREAK operator Travelscene has called in the administrators after it ceased trading.

The CAA confirmed it had pulled Travelscene's bond.

A spokesman said: "Travelscene has ceased trading. Two hundred people are currently abroad on ATOL-bonded holidays and there are about 5,000 forward bookings.”

He refused to say how much the bond was worth.

The operator, based in Harrow in Middlesex, was licenced to carry 15,004 passengers until September this year under its current ATOL licence.

ABTA confirmed the operator was insolvent and had terminated its membership. "The vast majority of business will be ATOL bonded,” he added.

Travelscene's accommodation-only customers, which come under ABTA's responsibility, are likely to be offered refunds.

Sales director ABTA president John Harding said: "It is correct (that we have ceased trading). We have got the administrators in.”

Harding has resigned as ABTA president. An interim president will be elected by the board of directors shortly to take up the position until April 2005's annual general meeting.