READ MORE:* More bad news for travellers as STA Travel's debts surpass $10m* Govt help travel agents to refund $690m in cancelled travel* Customer owed $12k from STA: 'Beyond devastated'Hamish McNeilly/Stuff STA Travel is now in liquidation owing money to more than 1000 creditors. In 2019 travel agents employed 5000 people and paid out $175m in tax, advertising, and rents to landlords, but there have been widespread job losses and STA Travel has collapsed owing $11m to creditors. Covid-related difficulties faced by the travel industry were reflected in Helloworld’s recent annual report which said it would be taking advantage of the Government’s reimbursement scheme. Helloworld Helloworld estimates that by early next year, spending on domestic and international travel by leisure travellers on both sides of the Tasman will have dropped by up to A$100 billion. The travel industry report to Faafoi also raised the significant risk of travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour companies becoming insolvent, and it called for a law change over credit card chargebacks.

Source: Stuff October 20, 2020 00:11 UTC