Tempo, Bentours assurance

TEMPO Holidays and Bentours have reiterated the ongoing health of their operations in Australia, once again stressing that the local business “functions independently” from its troubled parent, Cox & Kings (TD 04 Jul).

AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury has confirmed the ATAS participation of the company has been temporarily suspended, while an “extensive review and report back from C&K India is provided”.

Cox & Kings India overnight said it was delaying the release of its results for the Jun quarter while it worked on “monetisation plans,” with merchant bankers appointed and a six month debt standstill approved by most of its lenders.

C&K was also the 49% owner of the UK-based Malvern Group, which was placed into administration last week (TD 06 Aug), but the company told TD today that “Malvern accounts were never consolidated with Cox & Kings” and had no connection with the Australian business.

“Tempo Holidays/Bentours has recently met with ATAS and AFTA and are currently focusing on implementing checks and measures as specified by ATAS/AFTA to ensure that the temporary suspension is lifted and to bring the situation to normal,” the company said.

“We are ensuring that our Australian/NZ customers and agents are not impacted in any way,” it added, with 2020/21 brochures to be released shortly, along with a series of launch events in MEL, SYD and BNE.

The company will also shortly announce details of further famils and incentives for the industry, and thanked its trade partners for their ongoing support.

AFTA said it expects to make a final decision next week in relation to the firm’s ATAS participation.