Dawn Z

WARNING ABOUT SCENIC TRAVEL (www.scenictravel.co.za)

I must just tell you that it wasn't easy to post this because I'm not a nasty, vindictive person. In fact, I usually do my utmost to avoid conflict. However, I found out this week that someone else had a similar complaint about Scenic Travel and therefore I feel that it is necessary to warn people of this unscrupulous travel agency. The amount of money involved in both cases is not to be sneezed at. These are the facts: On 28 June 2022, I paid Scenic Travel an amount of R36,596 for air tickets. On 26 August 2022, Bonnita Chazen, the travel agent and owner of the company recommended I change the flights and requested a further payment of R36,596. She said that the first payment was fully refundable and that I would receive this refund in 3-4 weeks. She promised this in an email, which I still have. I also have receipts for both payments. No flight numbers or any proof that the first flights were actually purchased were ever sent to me, so I can't claim a refund from the airline. During the following weeks and months, in addition to contacting Bonnita by phone, WhatsApp and email, I also contacted ASATA and TAG whose logos appear on Scenic Travel's website (https://scenictravel.co.za/). Hannie from ASATA reported that Scenic Travel is, in fact, not a member of ASATA and recommended that I contact TAG and the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud for assistance. Henry from TAG said that he is unable to help as they were not the agents that did the flight booking. Bonnita reported to me that she was waiting on someone else (identity unknown) and was told that I would have the refund by 13 December 2022. She also said she would forward me the correspondence she has had with this unknown party. I have received no correspondence and nothing has been paid into my bank account. On 14 December 2022, I lodged a complaint with the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) and asked for their assistance in obtaining a refund. They attempted to contact Scenic Travel a number of times in order to resolve the complaint, and also sent a contravention notice, but received no response. I know that the CGSO's first email to Scenic Travel was received by Bonnita because she emailed me on the evening on 14 December stating "I received an email from the Ombuds. All communication will now be through them". The CGSO kept me informed about their attempts to contact Scenic Travel. On 27 Feb 2023, I received an email from the CGSO stating that they have received no response from Scenic Travel and recommending that I "escalate the complaint to the National Consumer Commission for further assistance as the supplier is not co-operating with our office", which I will do. I have also decided to share my story on social media platforms to help prevent other people from losing their hard-earned money.