Brits left £4,000 out of pocket as travel firm on brink of liquidation | UK | News
Students and graduates were left out of pocket after a while trip The company ceased trading after almost 30 years of operation. The decision on whether Global Vision International (GVI) will be liquidated will be made on July 28. This means the company will go into liquidation and will no longer be able to do business or employ people.
The firm, which provides volunteer placements in conservation, development and education, announced earlier this month: Closes its doors after 28 yearsIt disrupts customers’ travel plans. Wildlife conservation and zoo biology student Amy Taylor paid £4,000 for a conservation internship. South Africa.
he said BBC: “I was so happy inside myself when I was accepted. I was so excited about the future I could have. There’s actually nothing I can do about it.”
Miss Taylor, 21, from Manchester, said she was trying to get the money back through her bank because she had travel insurance from GVI.
The student said that if he doesn’t get the money back, he is unlikely to go anywhere else because he doesn’t trust anyone right now.
Linus Rowland-Bell, 23, from Liverpool, said he paid £2,258 for installation in the Amazon jungle. Mr Rowland-Bell said he was working two days a week while studying to save money for travel.
But their concerns were compounded by delays and conflicting information in the weeks before GVI collapsed.
The center he wanted to go to in Peru sent him an e-mail on June 28, informing him that it could not accept anyone because GVI had not paid him for six months.
Mr Rowland-Bell said it was “terrible” to think of all the time and money he had devoted to the trip. He was able to get his money back through the bank.
GVI Chief Executive Andrew Valentine apologized to customers in a statement published on the firm’s website. He said: “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write to share that GVI is closing its doors today.
“This is an extremely sad conclusion to a remarkable journey, but as we move forward in this final chapter, we look back with great pride and gratitude for everything we have achieved together.”
Mr Valentine added that he regretted the impact the closure would have on staff, customers and projects.
He concluded his statement: “Thank you for your passion, hard work, courage and unwavering belief in a better world. It has been the privilege of my life to journey with you.”
