PANJIM: The Department of Tourism, Panjim on Thursday assured the victims, who were duped by the Flammingoe Holidays Worldwide that a hefty fine would be imposed on the travel operator for not renewing registration.
The hearing was held by KuldeepArolkar, Deputy Director of Tourism (North) and Prescribed Authority in the presence of representatives of the Goa Civic and Consumer Action network (GOACAN). According to the sources, the penalty can be imposed upto Rs 1 lakh on the tour operator for not renewing the registration.
Earlier, the department of tourism had served the travel agency a show cause notice asking as to why action should not be initiated against for defaulting on renewal of registration. The incident had come to light after some travellers complained that they were duped by the travel operators by depriving them of tours to the Holy Land. As many as 12 travellers have filed complaints after the travel operator refused to refund their monies amounting to lakhs of rupees.
Complaints were lodged with the consumer forum against Robin Rodrigues, owner of Flammingoe Holidays Worldwide, Calangute, seeking refund of money amounting to lakhs of rupees, which was received by a Calangute-based tours and travels operator for providing the service.
The department of tourism had assured that it would initiate action against a travel agency, which had allegedly not taken the faithful on a tour to Israel nor had refunded the money to them.
