Tour operator, Isle of Wight Tours has ceased trading and has released details of how refunds can be obtained.
The company closed on Wednesday 7th October with over 90% of its trading wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A statement on its website said: ‘Please rest assured that we have financially protected our customers’ money. If you have booked a holiday by coach, or an ‘event style’ break including overnight accommodation, then you are entitled to a full refund of the monies paid for the holiday.’
I.O.W Tours Limited is a member of The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) and held a bond under the Bonded Coach Holidays scheme (BCH) to protect customer prepayments. BCH have appointed Protect Claims to manage and process refund claims.
Protect Claims is now responsible for helping customers claim back any monies they are owed, including those protected by Refund Credit Notes issued and sets out some advice below:
If you are booked as part of a group, only the Lead Booker (Group Organiser) can contact Protect Claims. They will be unable to assist individuals within a group as only the Group Organiser can make a claim. Details of the claim process will be published on the BCH website from Tuesday 13th October - click on this link to www.bch-uk.org.
If you do not have access to the internet, a copy of the claim form can be posted to you to complete and return. Please write to: Protect Claims PO Box 6430, Basildon, SS14 0QT. Customers are encouraged to claim electronically.
The statement from Isle of Wight Tours also said: ‘We want to thank you for allowing us to have looked after you, some of our customers have been loyal to us for all 31 years we have been trading. We have laughed together, cried together and enjoyed each other’s company over the years, and we are really going to miss each and everyone one of you.’
Isle of Wight Tours offered holidays to destinations throughout the UK together with Jersey, Southern Ireland and Europe.
The operator also became well known for its special interest holidays such as specialist sequence, square, ballroom and line dancing holidays, as well as breaks for bowls, skittles, petanque, darts, golf and fishing enthusiasts.
