Agents have expressed shock and sadness after the Civil Aviation Authority announced that Captivating Cuba has ceased trading as an ATOL holder.
This specialist Hertfordshire-based operator has been delivering bespoke holidays to Cuba for 25 years.
The company operates under ATOL number 10897, and CAA announced on May 10 that it had ceased trading as an ATOL holder.
Agents said they were “saddened” by the “horrible” news, and Travelwise travel consultant Dalal Benromdaan paid tribute to the company’s “amazing staff in Cuba and abroad.”
Simone Adams, senior travel consultant at Sutton Travel in Sutton Coldfield, said: They are very good professionals, always efficient, and provided great information and quick estimates.
“We recently had two inquiries, one last month and one this month. They put together great itineraries and great quotes.”
Geraldine Sproston, personal travel consultant at Hays Travel, said: “My client went out with me last month and we had the most amazing time. Gemma Thurgood supported the booking from start to finish. It was really wonderful.”
Alan Meadows, business development manager at Simply Cuba, another Cuba specialist company, said: It’s a great company with great people. They have made a huge contribution to UK tourism in Cuba. ”
Alan founded Simply Cuba last July after the management company he previously worked for, Live Cuba, closed down in October 2022. “I’ve been through this too and it’s scary,” he said.
A message posted on Simply Cuba’s Facebook page reads:
“Our hearts are [Director] Matthew [O’Sullivan] And his amazing team here in the UK and across Cuba have been the driving force behind building this great company and bringing tourism to Cuba for many years.
“We hope our staff find new jobs soon, but all we can say is that they will be great resources for the companies that employ them.
“We know from past experience that the first few days can be full of shock and sadness, but we also know that many agents have reservations that need to be rebooked, and we know that Simply・We will do our best to help you in Cuba.
“We expect our phone lines to be busy over the next few days, so please be patient while we respond to your inquiry. Please contact us via email.” [email protected] Or call us on 0203 8051177 for reservations. ”
Agents booking Captivating Cuba have been instructed not to refund consumer payments held by passengers and to wait for further instructions from the CAA.
SEE ALSO: UK charter flight to Cuba postponed until June