Cox & Kings, The Americas has suspended operations and
is unable to pay its suppliers for trips that have already been booked,
according to a confidential email obtained by Travel Weekly.
Although the tour operator said it is in talks with an
investor interested in taking over the company, travelers who have already
booked trips have just two options: cancel and apply for a refund or pay the
local suppliers directly then apply for a refund of any deposits and duplicate
monies already paid.
The email address [email protected] was given as the
point of contact for refunds.
The email did not say the company has shut down, although
its phones go unanswered and a Google listing for its headquarters says it has
closed permanently.
The news comes just weeks after Azamara Cruises sued Cox
& Kings, The Americas for breach of contract and Virtuoso removed the
company from its preferred standing, citing the financial woes of India-based
parent Cox & Kings LLC, which is one of the world’s oldest travel
companies.
And it comes just two months after Cox & Kings, The
Americas insisted its operations were fully independent of the India parent.
"We want to reassure all stakeholders in the United
States that there is no disruption in our U.S. operations whatsoever," Cox
& Kings, The Americas said in the statement issued in early August.
"Neither have there been any cancellations nor interruptions, either to
current business or that booked for future travel. These have been reconfirmed
with our vendor network, ensuring continued seamless arrangements, including
guests traveling to India from the U.S."
Cox & Kings, The Americas at the time said it was a
direct subsidiary of Cox & Kings Travel Ltd. UK, which itself operates
independently from Cox & Kings Ltd. (India).
The company also emphasized that "as an active member
of USTOA, significant customer protection is required and carried. The business
also holds supplemental insurance policies, such as errors & omissions,
which are well above industry standards, and does so to offer additional peace
of mind to our clients."
The U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) declined comment
beyond issuing a notice Tuesday that Cox & Kings, The Americas was no
longer a member. It also noted that any claims for lost monies under the
organization's Traveler Assistance Program would only cover refunds
for trips booked before Oct. 15.
Azamara's suit was filed in federal district court in Miami
on Sept. 27, alleging the tour operator took money from its guests for land
tours but failed to pay the local providers.
While many of the documents related to the suit have been
sealed at Azamara's request, the original complaint said losses and damages
"well exceed the requisite $75,000 jurisdictional requirement."
___
This report was updated on Tuesday with news that the USTOA said Cox & Kings, The Americas was no longer a member.