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2018-08-23 15:07:10 UTC
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https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Sinorama-Wholesaler-of-China-Travel-Closes-Its-Doors
Sinorama, Wholesaler of China Travel, Closes Its Doors
by Cheryl Rosen / August 13, 2018
Sinorama, Wholesaler of China Travel, Closes Its Doors
The wholesaler specialized in small group tours to China. Photo: Jakub Halun
As many as five thousand Canadian travelers planning to visit China had
their plans abruptly canceled with the closure of Sinorama Holidays,
Inc., last week.
The 10-year-old travel wholesaler voluntarily withdrew its registration
to do business as a travel retailer and wholesaler in Ontario, the
province's travel regulator TICO said. The news came shortly after
Quebec’s consumer protection office announced it would not be renewing
the license of Montreal-based subsidiary Vacances Sinorama.
According to the company's website, Vancouver-based Sinorama Travel,
Inc. also ceased operations.
The TICO website says Sinorama “voluntarily terminated its Ontario
Travel Industry Act 2002 registration to do business as a travel
retailer and travel wholesaler effective Aug. 8, 2018.” All future tours
have been canceled, and the “air and land portions in destination
(accommodation, bus tour, speed train, cruise and air travel in
destination and any optional tours purchased) will not be provided.”
Airline tickets that have already been purchased may still be honored,
however; customers should contact the airline to confirm.
Consumers and travel agencies who have trips booked through the company
can file a claim against the TICO Travel Compensation Fund. Those who
are holding valid airline tickets have the option to use them and make
new land arrangements at their own expense, and file a claim to for the
land portion they lost, or to cancel the entire trip and file a claim
for the whole amount.
Consumers who purchased their travel services directly from Sinorama
Holidays, Inc., in Ontario or through a registered Ontario travel agency
may file a claim form against the Travel Compensation Fund. Those who
booked through Sinorama Travel Vancouver should file their claims
through Consumer Protection BC; those who booked in Quebec should file here.
A TICO spokesperson told Canada’s CityNews that the company “could not
meet its future obligations” and advised customers to contact their
credit card companies as well as filing a complaint with TICO.
Several travel agents told Travel Market Report they are “shocked” at
the news, but others said the discounted prices being offered seemed too
good to be true.
“I traveled with them when they first came on the scene; it was a great
trip, and I have sent many customers on their China 21- to 26-day trips
with no problem,” said Brenda Fry of Expedia Cruise Ship Centers. “I am
sad to think they spread themselves so thin when they got into bus
trips. But, anyway, they did not pay good commission and would rather
not work with agents.”
Brenda Pascoe, Branch Manager at Vision Travel Solutions in Toronto,
agreed. “They never paid a fair commission anyways. Clients that
traveled with them never had problems, but didn’t like using them as
they didn’t value travel advisors,” she said.
0 0
TIP OF THE DAY
“You need to have a good strategy in place before you throw money at
ads. What are you promoting? What's the call to action? Where do the
leads go?”
Myrna Arroyo, Pepper Inbound Marketing
Share...
DAILY TOP LIST
Brought To You By
Tips for Traveling During Hurricane Season
1. Don’t let it stop you
2. Consider a cruise
3. Get the right travel insurance
4. Go with the flow
5. Factor in buffer travel time
Source: TMR
https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Sinorama-Wholesaler-of-China-Travel-Closes-Its-Doors
Sinorama, Wholesaler of China Travel, Closes Its Doors
by Cheryl Rosen / August 13, 2018
Sinorama, Wholesaler of China Travel, Closes Its Doors
The wholesaler specialized in small group tours to China. Photo: Jakub Halun
As many as five thousand Canadian travelers planning to visit China had
their plans abruptly canceled with the closure of Sinorama Holidays,
Inc., last week.
The 10-year-old travel wholesaler voluntarily withdrew its registration
to do business as a travel retailer and wholesaler in Ontario, the
province's travel regulator TICO said. The news came shortly after
Quebec’s consumer protection office announced it would not be renewing
the license of Montreal-based subsidiary Vacances Sinorama.
According to the company's website, Vancouver-based Sinorama Travel,
Inc. also ceased operations.
The TICO website says Sinorama “voluntarily terminated its Ontario
Travel Industry Act 2002 registration to do business as a travel
retailer and travel wholesaler effective Aug. 8, 2018.” All future tours
have been canceled, and the “air and land portions in destination
(accommodation, bus tour, speed train, cruise and air travel in
destination and any optional tours purchased) will not be provided.”
Airline tickets that have already been purchased may still be honored,
however; customers should contact the airline to confirm.
Consumers and travel agencies who have trips booked through the company
can file a claim against the TICO Travel Compensation Fund. Those who
are holding valid airline tickets have the option to use them and make
new land arrangements at their own expense, and file a claim to for the
land portion they lost, or to cancel the entire trip and file a claim
for the whole amount.
Consumers who purchased their travel services directly from Sinorama
Holidays, Inc., in Ontario or through a registered Ontario travel agency
may file a claim form against the Travel Compensation Fund. Those who
booked through Sinorama Travel Vancouver should file their claims
through Consumer Protection BC; those who booked in Quebec should file here.
A TICO spokesperson told Canada’s CityNews that the company “could not
meet its future obligations” and advised customers to contact their
credit card companies as well as filing a complaint with TICO.
Several travel agents told Travel Market Report they are “shocked” at
the news, but others said the discounted prices being offered seemed too
good to be true.
“I traveled with them when they first came on the scene; it was a great
trip, and I have sent many customers on their China 21- to 26-day trips
with no problem,” said Brenda Fry of Expedia Cruise Ship Centers. “I am
sad to think they spread themselves so thin when they got into bus
trips. But, anyway, they did not pay good commission and would rather
not work with agents.”
Brenda Pascoe, Branch Manager at Vision Travel Solutions in Toronto,
agreed. “They never paid a fair commission anyways. Clients that
traveled with them never had problems, but didn’t like using them as
they didn’t value travel advisors,” she said.
0 0
TIP OF THE DAY
“You need to have a good strategy in place before you throw money at
ads. What are you promoting? What's the call to action? Where do the
leads go?”
Myrna Arroyo, Pepper Inbound Marketing
Share...
DAILY TOP LIST
Brought To You By
Tips for Traveling During Hurricane Season
1. Don’t let it stop you
2. Consider a cruise
3. Get the right travel insurance
4. Go with the flow
5. Factor in buffer travel time
Source: TMR