Tour operators around the country have begun offering help to
travelers affected by Far&Wide’s bankruptcy filing this week.
Among them:
Abercrombie & Kent is offering clients who have lost
deposits not covered by credit card companies or insurance a
comparable credit of up to 15 percent of the cost of land
arrangements for any A&K tour.
800-323-7308.
ATS Tours & Islands in the Sun are crediting Far&Wide
deposits up to $350 per person for travel to the South Pacific, New
Zealand and Australia. ATS: 888-266-2880.
Islands in the Sun: 866-845-6653.
Celtic Tours is honoring group deposits up to $500 per group on
Europe. Individual travelers receive a discount up to 10 percent on
land. Valid through Dec. 14 when booked by Oct. 30.
888-205-0284.
Collette Vacations said Far&Wide travelers currently
stranded on tour will be allowed to join a similar Collette
vacation in progress for $199 in North America or Europe and $399
for Asia or South Pacific.
New air arrangements are not included.
Customers who have paid Far&Wide deposits will be credited
as much as $250 per person toward any Collette escorted vacation
through Dec. 31, 2004.
Reservations must be made by Dec. 31.
800-832-4656, outside New England; 800-752-2655, within New
England
Destinations Ireland & Great Britain said it will honor
Far&Wide deposits, up to $200 per person, for departures
through March 31, 2004. Agents will earn 12 percent commission.
www.destinations-ireland.com.
Gate 1 is guaranteeing to match original Far&Wide prices on
independent arrangements, group travel and escorted tours. In many
cases Gate 1 price quotes will be lower. Late booking fees for
Far&Wide passengers will be waived.
Grand Expeditions is offering replacement tours for travelers
booked between Oct. 31 through Dec. 31. Credit will be available
for deposits paid to Far&Wide, up to 15 percent.
Globus and Cosmos will place travelers who are stranded in
Europe and North America on comparable Globus or Cosmos tours for
free.
Also, customers with deposits on Far&Wide escorted tours
that were scheduled to depart Sept. 26 through Dec. 31 are being
of-fered replacement trips. Their deposits will be deducted from
the new costs.
Customers who had paid for a Far&Wide escorted tour
scheduled to depart during the same period will receive a 35
percent discount off the land price of a Europe or North America
trip, and a 15 percent discount off the land price in Asia, the
South Pacific or South America.
A “rescue desk” is operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain
Standard Time on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mountain
Standard Time on Saturdays. 800-372-1761
Insight Vacations said Far&Wide passengers traveling in
Europe would be allowed to join comparable Insight tours.
Transportation and sightseeing will be free; there will be charges
for accommodations and food.
Insight will deduct Far&Wide deposits from the cost of a new
tour; customers who have paid for a Far&Wide European tour will
receive a 35 percent discount off the land price of an Insight
tour. Commissions will be paid; travel must be booked and deposits
paid by Oct.31. www.insightvacations.com
Intrav and Clipper Cruise Line said they will make every effort
to help Far&Wide customers, placing them on Intrav or Clipper
Cruise Line tours at a cost equivalent to the balance due on their
initial booking. Agents will receive 10 percent commission.
800-523-2898 or [email protected] for either company
www.intrav.com
www.clippercruise.com
Maupintour said it is offering Far&Wide travelers a 10
percent discount on all vacations. Agents will receive 10 percent
commission.
877-772-2743; fax, 702-304-5027
[email protected]
Mayflower Tours will discount by deposit amounts up to $200 for
bookings made by Oct. 31.
800-323-7604.
Ritz Tours said it would provide free land services, including
hotel and sightseeing, to Far&Wide clients with bookings to
China that meet certain crite-ria.
www.ritztours.com
SITA World Travel Inc. is offering agents a $100 bonus for new
bookings from Far&Wide, and customers a $200 per person
compensation toward deposits paid.
800-421-5643
Tauck World Discovery, said it will honor Far&Wide
customers’ full deposits, up to $500 per per-son, for departures
through Aug. 31, 2004, on any of Tauck’s 100 itineraries. Agents
will receive full commission for the published price of the Tauck
journey.
877-842-4653 www.tauck.com
Trafalgar said it would place Far&Wide travelers who are
stranded in Europe on comparable trips, with a nominal charge for
hotels and meals. Transportation and sightseeing will be free.
Any Far&Wide customer with a deposit on an escorted tour to
Europe will receive a equal discount on a Trafalgar trip; those who
have paid fully will receive 35 percent off the land price of a new
trip.
Deposits must be received on all new travel and arrangements by
Oct. 31, the company said.
www.trafalgartours.com
Uniworld will honor deposits, up to $400 per person, for those
Far and Wide clients who re-book and travel on a Uniworld river
cruise by Aug. 31, 2004. The offer applies only to travelers who
have not yet departed.
800-733-7820
www.uniworld.com
