The Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) is still receiving 10 to 15 claims each day following the collapse in November of Classic International Cruises, as investigations begin into the reasons behind the failure.
Total monetary claims have now hit $3.3 million with the TCF paying out just over $2 million so far, chief executive Glen Wells told Travel Today.
Overall, more than 1,130 claims have been lodged since CIC was forced to cancel the entire Australian season on the Athena just days before it was due to start.
"The number of claims we are receiving has slowed down, but we are still receiving 10 to 15 each day, mainly now from consumers who held deposits," Wells said.
At its height in the days and weeks immediately after the collapse, the TCF was processing 60 claims every day.
Wells said the failure will be the subject of a "forensic investigation" as the body looks to recover funds from directors of the company.
"The investigation is not yet in full swing, it is still early days, and our first issue is to process the claims," he explained. "But as with every single collapse it will be investigated to see whether certain information was withheld from us."
The number of claims from CIC is now more than double those which followed the demise of Kumuka last July. Wells said around 530 claims were lodged after the collapse of the adventure operator, totalling more than $2 million.
That investigation is now in the hands of lawyers, he said.
"With the Kumuka case we were not informed that money was being swept overseas," Wells said. "Lawyers will now look at the reports, the auditors and accountants and we'll take it from there."
He admitted such investigations "move slowly".
"These things can take a long time," Wells said.
