Travel clients left in lurch

A KEEN traveller says she could have lost more than $2000 to collapsed travel company Young at Heart if she had not heard of its financial troubles through a news report.

Geelong resident Lorraine, who did not want her full name disclosed, says the seniors-oriented travel company had made no effort to contact her after it fell into administration this week.

The Geelong Advertiser’s attempts to contact the Victorian company were unsuccessful.

No statement informing customers of the company’s situation was visible on Young at Heart’s website at time of publication.

Lorraine booked a trip to the Mornington Peninsula worth thousands of dollars months ago and had paid a $300 deposit to the company. On Tuesday she was planning to pay the remaining $2435. She does not know if, or when, she will be refunded the money for her trip, which she assumes will not go ahead.

“The total cost of the trip was $2735. I had paid a $300 deposit and was going to pay the remainder this week,” Lorraine said.

“I have travelled with the company before, and I’ve enjoyed it because you get to know the people.

“I have not been contacted at all by the company. I just wanted to warn other people so they don’t make payments.”

The Herald Sun reported more than 1000 people had advance bookings with the business for the next 12 months. Many customers, like Lorraine, had made full or part payments.

Insolvency firm Cor Cordis partner Glenn Spooner said liquidators for the company had been appointed. He said the welfare of customers on current trips remained a priority. “We have been in contact with travel providers to ensure customers’ safe and comfortable passage back to their city of origin,” he said.