All Leisure Group shuts down stranding holidaymakers

BRITISH Atol-protected company All Leisure Group has stopped trading, leaving hundreds of people stuck at their holiday destinations.

The firm’s shutdown affects Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery cruise lines, which both had to call off New Year cruises at short notice.

An estimated 13,000 bookings have been cancelled, and 400 people will be repatriated by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Travellers who have booked through the company will receive refunds.

Head of Atol at the CAA, Andy Cohen, said: “The Atol scheme exists for exactly this kind of situation and we are making immediate arrangements so all Atol-protected customers can claim full refunds as quickly as possible.”

Two other brands owned by All Leisure Group, Travelsphere and Just You, have been bought by G Adventures (UK) Ltd and will run as normal.

Atol stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence and was set up by the government as a rescue mechanism for when travel firms go bust.