Travel agents have been urged to continue reporting to the Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) as usual after the consumer protection Group received a string of calls enquiring about the future of the company’s operations.

Reassurance follows the release of a Consumer Affairs Ministers half year review earlier this month, which highlighted concerns over the relevance of the TCF in today’s market as well as the possible withdrawal of funding into the consumer protection Group.

However, despite the report the company’s chief executive Glenn Wells said there is no “immediate changes” to the TCF and at present agents should “continue normal operations”.

He explained that at this stage the Ministers have only released a brief communiqué about their decision, which will be followed by a Draft Plan from August this year.

“They [agents] must continue to lodge their annual financial reviews and financial statements with the TCF,” Mr Wells said.  

“New agents must still make application for TCF participation and show they have the necessary financial resources to carry on business as a travel agent as part of their application for a travel agents licence.”

Mr Wells said he expects a final decision on future operations to be made later this year.