Overland travel company, Kumuka, has ceased trading.
Kumuka's Senior Travel Consultant from their Chertsey office in the United Kingdom, Ibrahim Dar confirmed via telephone that the last tours will depart July 22, 2012.
Overland travel booking agents have had to act fast and be proactive after the facts were confirmed. Senior travel consultant, Mixo, at booking agent OverlandingAfrica.com said “We immediately removed all Kumuka trips off our website and contacted all the clients who had made Kumuka bookings with us.”
Kumuka's official website homepage now has an important notice banner stating that Kumuka have ceased trading.
Established in 1983, the overland travel company operated routes all around the world through Africa, Australasia, Asia, Antarctica, North America, Latin America and Europe.
Judging by the response they have received on their Facebook page, the announcement has come as a great shock for everyone. OverlandingAfrica.com sales manager, Ellena van Tonder says, “It is such a pity to see a valuable member of the tourism industry close their doors. We're yet to see the impact it has on the industry.”
According to a recent press release posted on their site Kumuka says, “We apologise unreservedly to all Kumuka passengers and we are working hard to respond to all enquiries.”
Kumuka has released the following information about refunds for their trips:
Travelling From Australia
You can claim a refund for the funds lost via the Travel Compensation Fund.
Travelling From New Zealand
If a traveller has paid for their trip with a credit card, they should initially claim against their credit card company.
Travellers in New Zealand, who are not resident to Australia, who travel via Australia, can make a claim against the Travel Compensation Fund.
If not travelling via Australia, travellers will still be able to make a claim via the Travel Compensation Fund, but the payment is discretionary and needs to go to the Board for approval.
Travelling From UK
If you have booked and paid for your holiday in United Kingdom then you are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Kumuka holidays are ATOL Protected by this organisation. For more information, visit the ATOL website.
Travelling From Canada
Kumuka Worldwide is registered with the Ontario Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO). TICO is an organisation mandated by the Ontario Government to administer the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and an industry financed travel compensation fund. For more information visit the TICO website.
For travellers who are looking to book an overland trip with a different company over the period of time they have taken leave for, feel free to contact our Senior Travel Consultant, Mixo [email protected]. - Overlanding Africa