An Aussie travel agency has collapsed with dozens of travellers left out of pocket ahead of Christmas.
Syon Travels, which operates from a house in Victoria, announced it had gone into liquidation in early December.
As many as 50 customers are understood to have lost a combined $250,000 on travel bookings.
Some customers claimed they didn’t realise there was a problem with their flights until they turned up to the airport, 7News reported.
Others were worried in the lead-up to their trip, with one customer pleading on Facebook for information ahead of their scheduled flight on December 8.
Customers didn’t realise there was a problem with their flights until they turned up to the airport (file picture)
‘We have booked flight for tomorrow from Syon travel agent. Actually we booked this flight on July and flying tomorrow night,’ they wrote.
‘But the thing is that this agent has not sent us the e-ticket yet. We are really stressed. Don’t know what to do. If anyone has any ideas, please share with us.’
The travel agency shared the news of their collapse in a ‘heartbreaking announcement’.
‘We are deeply saddened to announce that our company Syon Travels is currently in the liquidation process,’ the message read.
‘We tried every avenue possible to keep the company afloat, however, we failed.’
They also asked customers to make alternative travel plans and promise to reimburse them.
‘It has broken our hearts to have so many trusting customers affected by our business,’ the agency said in the statement.
‘Despite the company’s status, we will reimburse all customer payments in due course.’
The announcement made in early December by the company saying they were ‘currently in the liquidation process’
The travel company operated out of this Victorian home
As many as 50 customers are understood to have lost a combined $250,000 on travel bookings
An out of pocket customer, Niranjana Chaudhary lashed out at the company.
The nurse has a family reunion in Nepal, but now is not sure if she will make it.
‘I’ve worked double-shift night shifts just to go and spend some quality time with my family, so they’re just playing with our emotions,’ she said.
The day after the liquidation notice, another post appeared on the travel website’s Facebook page from Syon Travels operation manager Nani Ram Aryal.
‘I as the manager of Syon Travels take sole responsibilities (sic) for the situation that has happened in the business,’ he said.
‘No one except myself is responsible for this nightmarish situation to happen. Please be assured we are trying our best to solve the problem asap.’
The Syon Travels website says it is one of Australia’s leading travel agents, yet it has never been accredited.
It’s understood the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) hasn’t received any notice the company is being placed under administration.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Syon Travels for comment.