Apr 29, 2009 - TICO Returns Final Conquest Vacationers Home Safely

(Mississauga, ON, April 29, 2009) – “Mission accomplished,” were two words on the mind of TICO’s Dorian Werda, Manager of Administration and Claims upon the safe arrival Sunday of sixty-one passengers onboard Skyservice flight #5G93 from Varadero, Holguin and Punta Cana.

Ms. Werda along with two other representatives from the Travel Industry Council of Ontario personally flew down and supervised the repatriation of sixty-one remaining passengers affected by the collapse of Conquest Vacations.

Approximately 3600 people were in various destinations at the time of the Conquest failure. TICO had been working with travel agencies and flight manifest information to determine the location of affected Ontario-booked consumers. Travellers in destination at their respective hotels were then contacted by phone, letter and email with return flight information.

The sixty-one vacationers were most appreciative of TICO’s assistance in smoothing out their return to Canada. Kitchener, Ontario resident Steven Hall said passengers broke out in a spontaneous round of applause once the plane touched down in Toronto, followed by a chorus of ‘thank yous’. “TICO did a great job in ensuring everyone was safe and comfortable during our return. Our apprehension at leaving our destination dissipated once we knew TICO was coming to assist,” said Mr. Hall.

Cambridge, Ontario resident Tina Lewis who was travelling with three other couples was also appreciative of TICO’s efforts. “Once we knew that TICO representatives were flying down and assisting our return home we felt very relieved,” said Ms. Lewis.

Ms. Werda confirms that all affected passengers who had booked through an Ontario-registered travel agency have now safely returned home.

Sunday’s flight was the last of fourteen different charters arranged by TICO to ensure the safe return of affected passengers. Consumers having out-of-pocket expenses in destination for accommodation, meals or transportation due to the Conquest failure will be reimbursed through the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund. Consumers who held future travel bookings with Conquest Vacations may also claim on the Compensation Fund. Claim forms can be accessed at www.tico.ca or by calling 1-888-451-TICO.