Cheltenham-based Cities Direct has closed within the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The information was introduced earlier by Martyn Sumners, govt director of AITO, following consultations with managing director, Jace Fast.
Sumners defined: “Cities Direct had been a member of AITO for almost 9 years and had traded for 20 years.
“The corporate had full monetary safety in place by way of the CAA, ABTA and IPP.
“Understandably, within the present very troublesome buying and selling local weather, they noticed an absence of client demand and felt that they’d be throwing good cash after unhealthy in the event that they battled on and borrowed cash.
“At AITO, we’re vastly sorry concerning the demise of Cities Direct.
“Jace and his crew can be missed, and we want them nicely for the long run, no matter they every resolve to do as people.”
Cities Direct was launched in September 2000.
A press release from the corporate stated: “We have now had an unbelievable 20 years creating and rising Cities Direct in an ever-evolving trade.
“We have now very a lot loved the expertise, and wish to thank our employees, journey trade companions and lots of loyal prospects for all their help over time.
“We had so many thrilling plans for the way forward for the enterprise, however the impression of Covid-19 journey restrictions has been devastating.”
Sumners stated the failure ought to immediate authorities motion to help the journey sector.
He added: “In such problematic instances, whereas AITO battles to convey to the various authorities departments to which we report the myriad issues that our SMEs are encountering – with out a lot in the best way of response or help thus far – it is a clear indication of the determined straits that many previously vibrant firms discover themselves in, by way of no fault of their very own.
“We hope that this primary AITO Covid-19 casualty alerts clearly to authorities that the various U-turns it has taken over the previous six months have severely shaken client confidence in terms of reserving abroad holidays.
“The complete outbound journey market is underneath intense stress.
“We want authorities help to allow us to outlive and to proceed to pay our standard huge quantities of tax into the exchequer for the larger good.
“The choice is just too miserable for phrases.”
