SURREY — A Surrey travel agency has had its licence suspended and the company’s customers are being warned by the province's consumer watchdog to confirm their travel plans.
Consumer Protection B.C. announced Wednesday that it had suspended Global Pacific Travel pending an investigation, said Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith, a spokeswoman for the not-for-profit corporation, in a news release.
“We understand that consumers may be impacted by this situation and we urge travellers to confirm their reservations with their service providers for their own peace of mind,†said Chabeaux-Smith in the release.
Global Pacific Travel is located in a strip mall at 106 Avenue near 135a Street. Calls to the agency were not answered.
The consumer protection corporation won’t say why the travel agent is being investigated.
“In order to maintain the integrity of that processes it would be inappropriate for me to share details of the situation at this time,†explained Chabeaux-Smith.
Travellers who booked arrangements with the agent are advised to call the hotels and airlines directly to confirm their plans have been booked and paid for, read the release.
Those whose arrangements were paid for but not secured should call their credit card company to reverse the charges, or their travel insurance provider if they have one.
Travelers can otherwse make a claim with B.C.’s Travel Assurance Fund, which can cover services booked through a licensed agent that were not provided, according to Consumer Protection B.C.
The corporation was created under the provincial Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority Act. Among the industries the corporation oversees are debt collection, cemetery and funeral services, payday lending, home inspections, telemarketing, consumer contracts and gift cards, and it is charged with investigating alleged violations of consumer protection laws.