This trip was supposed to be their honeymoon, it has become their worst nightmare. Daria Topczewska and her husband, Kamil Radomski, had chosen to go to South Africa for three weeks. A safari in Kruger Park, on the trail of big cats: such was their newlywed dream. This summer, they book their stay through Masai Spirit, one of the brands of Evasion Spirit – a travel agency with 25 employees, whose headquarters are located in Paris, boulevard Raspail.
“We paid the 16,000 euros in advance, explains M.me Topczewska. We were to receive the vouchers a week before departure, in October. At that time, nothing. And, four days before leaving, we learn that our trip is canceled. » In reality, the reservations had never been made by the agency, for lack of cash. Serge Raynal, the director, then confirms to them that ” Technical problem “and advises them to leave anyway, on their own.
He assures them, in a registered letter, that the 16,000 euros will be paid to them within twelve days. After a moment of hesitation, Daria Topczewska and her husband reserve everything, again, out of pocket. At the end of October, here they are in the South African bush. But, twelve days later, no transfer to their account. And, to date, they have not been reimbursed. The agency promises them to solve this problem very quickly…
Stories like this, there are many others on a Facebook group of about forty members, which brings together customers of Evasion Spirit. These stories tell of the upheavals experienced by the world of tourism since the crisis linked to Covid-19, and its effects on companies placed for a time on a drip thanks to state aid. “The agencies that are in difficulty today are those that were already in difficulty before the Covid”observes Jean-Pierre Mas, president of Travel Companies, a union that represents the profession.
“Cavalry Operation”
Jérôme Sulerczycki, who was to fly ten days to the Maldives with his family on All Saints’ Day, saw the perspective of the palm trees go up in smoke three days before boarding, for lack of a reservation made by the agency. “A huge disappointment” for this commercial in the automotive sector, who lives in the Annecy region. He had paid 11,000 euros for this getaway, booked this summer.
At the beginning of November, seeing no reimbursement coming despite the agency’s commitments, he multiplies the e-mails and calls. He ends up asking his insurance, which sends the director of the agency a formal notice. To date, he has obtained a transfer of 5,000 euros. He is still waiting for the rest. “I feel like I’ve been robbed, he fumes. But, reading the other testimonials on Facebook, I almost feel lucky. »
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