Detur was criticized last year for canceled trips and a lack of information – and because refunds were delayed for many travelers who were supposed to get their money back. Audits showed financial question marks and that Detur sold trips that it had already notified the airports were cancelled.
In October, the climax came when travelers were locked out of their hotel rooms, management became untraceable – and Detur went bankrupt.
After the bankruptcy, applications for money from the travel guarantee have flowed in to the state-run Kammarkollegiet, which has had to hire extra staff to handle the 13,200 cases – which can be compared to about 200 in a normal year.
– It’s the biggest bankruptcy we’ve had, says Ingela Allanbert, advocate fiscal at the Kammarkollegiet.
Many people get money
Decisions have now started to be made on the cases. Many have been able to be written off because customers who paid by card received compensation from the card companies. Many have also received positive messages about the travel guarantee.
But for one group, the news is grim. Since more than three months have passed since the trip was cancelled, they are not entitled to a travel guarantee. It affects travelers who in the spring and summer of 2022 waited to receive money from Detur – and who trusted the company’s assurances that it was on its way.
– In this case, Detur said they would refund, the travelers have been waiting for that, and then unfortunately the time to apply for compensation may be too late, says Ingela Allanbert, who regrets what happened and wants to see a change. (See video below.)
A government inquiry is currently reviewing the travel guarantee and will present its proposals in June. But that will not help those now affected by the Detur chaos.
Detur’s previous management has rejected all claims that it would have deliberately led any traveler behind the light. Earlier this year, the Detur brand was bought by a Danish travel company, which today uses it in its operations.