Fraud probe sparks TCF talks with NT

By admin


The Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) is to hold talks with the Northern Territory Government following the scandal of the Travelscene Amex agent who fled with $200,000 of clients’ money.

TCF chief executive Glen Wells will travel to the NT, probably within the next month, to urge ministers to re-think their continued absence from the Fund.

Wells has also contacted Mike Thompson, chief executive of Travelscene Amex, to discuss the prospect of sending a joint delegation to the NT to ram home the message to politicians that they need to participate in the scheme.

The NT has so far elected to remain outside the TCF, a decision that has cost many consumers who booked through Travelscene Darwin City significant amount of cash.

The owner of the agency, Jennifer Pfitzner, vanished before Christmas leaving consumers financially stranded and their travel plans wrecked. The issue, which is being investigated by the NT fraud squad, will be raised at the TCF board meeting tomorrow.

Wells said agents and consumers in the NT have contacted the TCF in the aftermath of Pfitzner’s disappearance.

“Agents have asked us how do they get into the fund and we’ve told them they have to speak to their ministers. It must be decreed by the Government,” Wells told Travel Today. “We’ve also had calls from consumers who were unaware the NT was not in the TCF. They have asked us how they can get protection and the only thing we can advise is to book through an agent outside of the NT, which of course is no good to agents up there.”

In the past, 20 of the 30 agents in the NT have wanted to join but the NT Government has adopted an all-or-nothing approach.

Wells said he was hopeful the NT would now recognise the benefits of the TCF.

“I hope to travel to the NT within the next month for talks. I have also contacted Mike Thompson about sending a delegation and it’s something they will look at,” he said.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Events
  • News

Anangu Communities Foundation raises $75,000 at its third annual Sydney fundraiser

Generous supporters gathered at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour for the third annual Anangu Communities Foundation Sydney fundraiser to help raise $75,000. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia administers the Foundation which so far has funded over $3 million in projects to support Anangu communities of Central Australia with a focus on building community capacity in healthcare, […]

  • News
  • Travel Agents

‘Virtuoso on Tour’ photos: Virtuoso showcases its best to agent base

Virtuoso hosted its second annual Virtuoso On Tour,  a destinations event at the ICC in Sydney showcasing tour operators, tourism boards and more to its agent family. The event is designed for travel agency members in Australia and New Zealand to network with Virtuoso partners across the globe. It housed six destination-themed pavilions (Australia & […]

  • Cruise

Oceania Cruises showcases new culinary tours and itineraries in Alaska

Oceania Cruises is offering over a dozen immersive explorations of Alaska for 2025, taking travellers beyond the typical tourist sights. The new culinary tours and imaginative itineraries take guests to discover the unique perspectives, local culture, and pristine wilderness of “The Last Frontier”. The 1,250-guest Riviera is set to sail its first season in Alaska for […]

  • Expedition
  • News

Galapagos Shark Diving expands conservation efforts with new partnership

Galapagos Shark Diving has announced its new partnership with the Galaxy Diver II, the latest luxury dive liveaboard vessel in the Galapagos fleet. The partnership marks a major step forward in its mission to combine world-class diving with hands-on marine conservation. This collaboration offers divers the unique opportunity to join Shark Conservation Expeditions led by […]

  • Hotels
  • Luxury

The gloss of a garlicky brioche bun continues to shine long after leaving Amanoi

Chaser comedian and TravelDAZE MC Chris Taylor takes on his hardest assignment yet as our Guest Travel Writer in this three-part series on Vietnam. Here is Part 3. AMANOI It all comes back to the food. In Vietnam, everything always does. We’re sitting on an outdoor terrace, perched high on a hill in the little-visited […]

  • Aviation

Highlights of CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific

Delays in new aircraft delivery, supply-chain issues, terminal upgrades, premium travel, the failure of China to return to global travel, plus sustainable fuel were the hot topics for the hundreds of delegates who attended Day 1 of the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific at The Star in Brisbane today. On sustainable aviation fuel, while […]

  • Aviation

Air India to target Indian-Australians as part of its rebuild, says its CEO & MD

Air India, now part of the huge TATA group, is on a steady rebuild and will target the growing diaspora of Indian-Australians as part of its rebuild, said its CEO & MD Campbell Wilson. Over the last two years, Air India has increased flights to Australia by 113 per cent per week, increased the number […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

The NT tops list of hidden gem attractions out of Aussie states

As Australia steps into spring with temperatures set to rise above average, new research has revealed the states with the most must-see hidden gem attractions with the great outdoors proving a winner! The study, conducted by travel and luggage experts at Bounce, used Tripadvisor and search data to uncover Australia’s most treasured destinations. The Northern […]

  • Health & Wellness
  • Hotels

Fusion Hotel Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend

Vietnam’s wellness-inspired Fusion Hotel Group is celebrating World Wellness Weekend from 20-22 September with yoga and other healthy living activities. Fusion Hotel Group has introduced a series of events and activities for guests at five of its luxury beachfront resorts in Vietnam to World Wellness Weekend. The exclusive offers include yoga, meditation, onsen baths, Zumba, […]

  • Hotels

InterContinental Wellington unveils new Health Club and Classic Rooms makeover

InterContinental Wellington has announced the completion of its newly revamped Health Club and a stylish makeover of its Classic Rooms. Bringing a new level of luxury to its 79 Classic Rooms, including eight accessible rooms, the hotel has meticulously re-styled these spaces in collaboration with Y-6, an acclaimed Interior Architecture and Design studio based in […]

  • Cruise
  • Cruise Lines

Celestyal Journey celebrates its first anniversary

Celestyal Journey has notched up one year with Celestyal, travelling 66,100 nautical miles in its first year, mostly around the Greek Islands. The 55,877-tonne ship joined the Celestyal fleet following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment made her maiden voyage for the Greek cruise line on 2 September 2023, a seven-night Idyllic Aegean cruise to Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion […]