A NUMBER of older Australians on holiday in Queensland and the Northern Territory will have their trips cut short while others with future bookings will have their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of two companies that specialise in touring and cruising holidays for seniors.
It's believed more than 1000 passengers will be affected.
Administrators have been appointed for MJ Reed Pty Ltd and Reed Holiday Pty Ltd which run Young at Heart Holidays, Seniors Coach Tours and Australian Air Holidays.
"We will now work quickly to analyse the financial situation of the businesses and determine a path forward," said Glen Spooner of insolvency company Cor Cordis.
He said the appointment of liquidators would have an impact on all those who had booked holidays through the two companies.
Four tours are currently underway. Holidaymakers on two of them are due to return home today (Wednesday) while those on the other two will return home early.
Two further tours involving around 72 passengers were scheduled to depart tomorrow but have been cancelled.
The companies also have a number of tours scheduled for coming weeks and months, with passengers having paid either the full amount or a deposit. It's not yet known what refund, if any, these passengers will get as they will be classified as creditors.
Mr Spooner said the future of the two companies may involve the sale of existing assets, including the itineraries already booked.
A meeting of creditors will be held in September.
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) is aware of the number of consumers impacted by the situation.
"AFTA is advising consumers and travel agents who have been impacted to invoke a chargeback if payments were made by a credit card and to contact the local police to commence criminal charges against the principles where payments and deposits had been paid for future travel that will not now be taken," said a statement prepared by the body.
The administrators are trying to contact clients to explain the situation.
Anyone with a booking can contact Cor Cordis on 03-9875-1404.
