TCF move “on the agenda" for NT

TCF move “on the agenda" for NT
By admin


The Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) will resume talks with the Northern Territory Government following local elections in August over the prospect of travel agents in the territory finally joining the financial protection scheme.

TFC chief executive Glen Wells said preliminary talks have been “positive”.

But any further progress has been put on hold until after NT residents go to the polls in August, he said.

The TCF opened talks with the NT following fraud allegations levelled at a Darwin travel agent earlier this year (Travel Today, February 15).

The agent, Travelscene Darwin City, was alleged to have swindled around $200,000 from clients who were left financially stranded by the Government’s decision to remain outside the financial protection scheme.

Wells told Travel Today the NT sought background on the fund and have “put the issue on the agenda”.

“But they said they are not in a position to make a commitment,” Wells said. “They have elections in August and that is their focus.

“They were concerned about the size of the agency collapse. The story attracted a lot of attention. Consumers were not protected if they booked through an agency in the NT but would have been had they gone to an interstate company.”

In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, Wells said agents and consumers has contacted the TCF.

“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 said.

“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.”

Latest News

  • Aviation
  • Breaking News

Air Vanuatu set to fly again after court decides to allow restructure

Air Vanuatu will return to the skies after a restructure by Ernst and Young was approved today by the Supreme Court of Vanuatu. The national carrier is set to fly again, after the Supreme Court of Vanuatu ratified the Deed of Compromise approving an Ernst and Young-led restructure and transferring the company’s shares to AV3 […]

  • Aviation
  • News

Qatar Airways expands to Canada with launch of Toronto flights

Qatar Airways will launch a new service to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) starting on 11 December 2024, with three weekly non-stop flights from Hamad International Airport (DOH). As the airline’s fourteenth gateway to the Americas, the new Toronto route marks the airline’s second destination in Canada, joining Montréal which has served more than 1.6 […]

  • News

ATIA wins big with federal inquiry into tourism and international education

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced a positive advocacy development, with the Federal Parliament’s inquiry report into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors, incorporating many of ATIA’s key recommendations. The report, titled ‘Are we there yet?’: From recovery to resilience – opportunities and challenges for Australia’s tourism sector, reflects ATIA’s submission and evidence […]

  • Conferences

Iconic ‘Spirit of Sydney’ artwork takes pride of place at ICC Sydney

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has announced the addition of the monumental artwork ‘Spirit of Sydney’ by renowned Australian artist Frank Hodgkinson to its collection. Normally reserved for event attendees, members of the community were able to view the iconic ‘Spirit of Sydney’ mural at the venue’s art tours, guided […]

  • Aviation

Etihad Airways offers price cuts on flights for European winter

Etihad Airways has launched deals on select destinations for flights booked by 4 October for travel starting now until 22 March 2025. Round-trip economy fares start from $1,216 to Barcelona, and business fares start from $6,016 for a trip to Vienna. If you book directly on the website you can win a free stopover in […]