{February 3, 2010} VICTORIA BC - Consumer Protection BC is advising licensed travel agents and wholesalers that NewWest Special Projects LP of Alberta has announced the cancellation of its charter of the Norwegian Star due to slow sales and high expenses. The cancellation includes the pre cruise, scheduled for 6-10 February from LA to Vancouver, the post cruise, scheduled for 2-6 March from Vancouver to LA and Vancouver stay for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Newwest Special Projects LP has stated that they will be issuing refunds and that guests who have booked directly with them should contact NewWest at 1-877-254.2010 or 1-780-450-1555.  Please click here to read the complete statement from NewWest Special Projects LP.

Rebooking accommodation for your clients:

Members of the 2010 Tourism Consortium are working with destination management companies and the hotel community to find accommodation for Games spectators stranded by the cancellation of the Norwegian Star cruiseship chartered by NewWest Special Projects LP.  Additionally, the Tourism Consortium is recommending that individuals and groups affected can contact suppliers directly via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit tourism websites at www.2010destinationplanner.com; www.tourismvancouver.com;  www.whistler.com or www.hellobc.com to find accommodation options for the Games period.  Please click here to read the news release from Tourism Vancouver.

BC's Travel Assurance Fund:

The Travel Assurance Fund, under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and the BC Travel Industry Regulation, protects both consumers and travel agents licensed in British Columbia in their transactions. The Fund provides compensation for consumers who did not receive the contracted travel services they purchased through a BC licensed travel agent.  We are reminding BC travel agents and wholesalers to revisit BC’s Travel Industry Regulation, section 18, which outlines eligibility for claims against the Travel Assurance Fund.

There are several steps that must be taken to assist consumers in obtaining refunds before submitting a claim to the Fund:

• If your client’s payment was made directly to NewWest Special Projects LP (NewWest Special Projects LP appears on the credit card statement), the client should apply to their credit card provider for reimbursement of the travel services not provided.
• If your agency made payment using a company credit card directly to NewWest Special Projects LP, you must apply to the credit card provider for reimbursement.  Upon receipt of the reimbursement refund your client.
• If travel insurance was purchased, your client must make a claim to the insurance company.

If a refund has not been obtained:

• If you are assisting a client with a claim to the Fund, the fund will require verification that your agency has remitted the Funds to NewWest Special Projects LP and has not been reimbursed.
• If you chose to either reimburse your client or provide alternate travel services at your own expense and then apply to the Fund, please note that the eligible amount that can be paid from the Fund is limited to the original amount paid for the travel services that were not provided. The Fund does not cover the cost of alternate travel services or additional expenses incurred.
• There is a six month time frame to submit your claim to the Travel Assurance Fund.
• Being a fund of last resort, claimants must prove that they have taken all the above steps prior to submitting a claim.

You can find out more information about the Travel Assurance Fund on our website. If you have questions about the Travel Assurance Fund, please contact our Inquiry Centre at 1-888-564-9963 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .