Hotel booking engine, Gateway2Travel SA, has filed for bankruptcy and has ceased operations with immediate effect. This is not to be confused with tour operator Gateway Travel and Tours, which is still in operation.
Ashley Hewitt, Gateway2Travel SA sales representative in KwaZulu Natal told eTNW that she had received communication late on Wednesday night (April 6) that the company would be closing. “Just like that – without adequate warning for staff or clients,” she said.
According to Ashley, the news came as a shock because the South African team were under the impression that it was ‘business as usual’ at Gateway’s head office in Belgium and everything was running smoothly, until the close of business on Wednesday night.
“While there have been some challenges for all of us in the travel industry in recent times, the Gateway figures for South Africa were actually increasing overall and we were happy,” she said.
She continued: “Numerous loyal, hardworking travel agents have been affected by this. It is incredibly frustrating for all of us.”
Agents took to social media to voice their dismay. “I’m ready to cry and run away as I am sitting with over 30 Gateway bookings,” a source commented on Facebook.
Another agent said they had bookings for June that had been paid for in February and the hotels had not received payment. “We might have to fork out from our own pockets,” the agent said.
In an email sent to affected partners, Gateway said several of its hotel vendors – Exclusively, JacTravel, Tourico and Vakantiebed, would be taking over existing bookings. “But we don’t know if our money was handed over to those vendors,” another agent told eTNW. “I doubt it though, because they have filed for bankruptcy – meaning they have no money.”
She said her agency had paid tens of thousands of rands to secure bookings with Gateway.
On April 7, the travel solutions provider put a notice on its website advising agents that it was no longer possible to book hotels in Gateway2Travel. However, agents still have access to the ‘Gateway2Travel Admin’ portal to manage current bookings.
“Gateway will not cancel your bookings, but there is a chance that vendors will cancel your bookings. Unfortunately, you can’t see this in Gateway2Travel. Therefore it is important to check every booking,” the site says.
“We strongly advise you to cancel your future bookings in Gateway2Travel and to re-book them elsewhere. If the booking can’t be cancelled in the system, please contact the hotel or call the emergency number mentioned on the hotel voucher.”
