Pacific Delight Tours, which sells mostly China packages,
says it has suspended operations due to cancellations and an uncertain future
caused by the coronavirus.
The company and the U.S. Tour Operators Association said on
Friday that Pacific Delight was no longer an active member of USTOA, meaning
any future deposits or payments would no longer be covered by the group’s $1
million Travelers Assistance Program designed to protect consumers when
companies fail.
Trips booked prior to Feb. 3 may be protected, said USTOA CEO
Terry Dale.
“For 28 years, we have valued our USTOA membership,” said
Michael Kong, managing director of Pacific Delight Tours. “A majority of our business is China, and
given the cancellations and uncertain future caused by the media reports about
the coronavirus, we have decided it is in the best interest of our valued
travel advisor partners, suppliers and loyal travelers to suspend operations
indefinitely.”
USTOA said information on claim procedures for Pacific
Delight Tours passengers who have not received deposit refunds is available at USTOA's website.