Holidays left ruined as travel agency collapses

DOZENS of holidays have been ruined following the collapse of a travel agency.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has stepped in to support holidaymakers booked to travel with Mountain Paradise Ltd, based within Station House on Stamford New Road in Altrincham, Trafford. Mountain Paradise Ltd, which the CAA said also traded under the names of Tatra Photography and Tatra Yoga, specialised in holidays to the Tatra range of the Carpathian Mountains in Slovakia, according to its website.

Skiing, walking and trekking and photography holidays were advertised by the company, which was founded in 2003. The CAA said that future holidays booked with the company would not go ahead. There are not believed to be any Mountain Paradise Ltd customers currently abroad.

The company was part of the ATOL scheme, meaning holidaymakers with ATOL-protected bookings would be able to claim a refund. Andy Cohen, head of ATOL at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said the case served as a ‘timely reminder’ for all holidaymakers to ensure ATOL certificates come with all holiday bookings. The law says package holidays must be protected and ATOL, which stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence, is a financial protection scheme covering travel businesses. The CAA urged all customers to check the ATOL website - www.atol.org.uk - for further information about how to claim.