Tucan Travel has ceased to trade with immediate effect, due to the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
There’s more sad news for the travel industry, as West London based Tucan Travel last night announced that it will be ceasing to trade with immediate effect on Tuesday 2nd February 2021.
The decision was made to pause the operations in March 2020, as the virus rapidly spread across the world, but the company continued to sell trips from 2021 and beyond – thinking the worst would be over by this year.
However, as the situation in the UK, Europe and South America shows no signs of improvement; with ‘tight lockdowns’ and border, closures still in place, the future of the company looked bleak.
“There is unlikely to be any normal international leisure travel until 2022 and so with a heavy heart, the decision was taken in the best interests of everyone concerned to place the company into administration.”
Matt Gannan, Tucan Travel Chief Executive
What’s happening?
An announcement on Tucan Travel’s website says “the coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on many businesses in particular the travel industry.”
“During this challenging time, tour operators like Tucan Travel have faithfully tried to support people and balance their needs. During this time we had to make difficult decisions to keep the company alive including many staff redundancies, most of whom are loyal long-serving staff with families to support. Unfortunately, this now extends to all staff.”
In regards to refunds, the Tucan Travel website states that “there has been no satisfactory solution for tour operators to be able to address the number of clients wishing to receive immediate full refunds. “
“The reason for this is that tour operators effectively coordinate airlines, hotels and local services such as guides, permits and transportation for groups of clients.”
Tour operators are required to pay in advance to secure these services on behalf of their clients; many of these service contracts are non-refundable or non-transferrable.”
“In addition, many of the smaller overseas hotels and service providers that specialist tour operators support are in an even worse situation, they simply do not have the resources to repay what is owed to tour operators until they are able to reopen their business and earn money again.”
The proposed administrators will contact all customers who hold bookings with Tucan Limited by email by no later than Friday 5th February 2021.
This email will include full details of how customers can make a claim for any monies they have paid to Tucan Limited.
The response
The response to the announcement on our Together In Travel Facebook page has been very supportive, with many people in the industry “so sad” because “another great company has gone”.
Many of the commenters also sent their thoughts to all those affected with the sad news.
“This is just awful. My partner and I met on a Tucan tour, he was my guide. That tour literally changed our lives and created another excellent little human
#SaveTheTravelIndustry”
Together In Travel Facebook Group Member
One group member wrote “So so sad. I sent a lot of extremely happy adventurous people on their tours over the years.” and another reminisced on “amazing memories of travelling thorough Peru & Bolivia with Tucan.”
A couple of members raised concerns abut outstanding reduns and credits, asking others if they’re likely to get compensated.
Another member wrote “And only two months left on Jobkeeper. Something has to change.”
READ: AFTA Keeps The Pressure On For Tailored Government Support
Save The Travel Industry
On Monday, Karryon and Australian travel industry leaders teamed up to launch Save The Travel Industry – a national campaign that aims to pressure the Australian government to extend support to the tourism industry after JobKeeper ends on 28 March.
You can support the cause by; downloading the online campaign toolkit, sharing the #SaveTheTravelIndustry creative assets on social media and your own marketing channels.
You can also sign and share the change.org petition.
Let’s all stand together and #SaveTheTravelIndustry