News
Breaking News: The Holiday Place Plc ceases trading, The Scuba Place Ltd on the up!
A statement from John Spencer-Ades, Managing Director of The Scuba Place Ltd:
For almost 10 years, The Scuba Place has been providing amazing diving holidays across the Globe under the umbrella of The Holiday Place Plc. On May 29th, The Holiday Place Plc ceased trading, and is now in the hands of Receivers.
The holidays that Customers booked through The Scuba Place were fully protected under ABTA (84059) and ATOL (3101) Protection schemes, and as such, all monies paid by Customers are safe. The official notification and guide on what to do can be found here: the CAA website.
The Scuba Place have now re-launched as The Scuba Place Ltd, and are now an independent partner of Major Travel Ltd, an ATOL and ABTA bonded Tour Operator since 1974.
John Spencer-Ades, Managing Director of The Scuba Place Ltd says:
“ For the last 5 days and nights, we have been working all hours to protect our customer base – those who are overseas have been fully supported, informed and assured of a safe return, and these took first priority of course.
Those Clients who were due to be travelling in the next fortnight have again all been contacted and supported through their options – whether to travel or not, and how to claim refunds under the bonded protection schemes. And those individuals and groups that have more long term future bookings, again we have under our new licensing agreement, supported them and where possible, absorbed their bookings – we will be honouring all of the dive holiday bookings we made prior to the collapse of The Holiday Place Plc.
We wish to send out a huge thank you to our Clients who have demonstrated nothing but support for us in these challenging times – not one individual has cancelled their booking, and have trusted us to deliver their travel – and to our partners in the many resorts we operate in who have supported us fully and without exception.
Looking to the future, we are now well situated as an independent business to grow and build on our success.”
Find out more about the worldwide dive itineraries that The Scuba Pace offers at www.thescubaplace.co.uk.
Marine Life & Conservation
Steve Backshall to headline Shark Trust’s flagship event: For the Love of Sharks
Join a host of amazing, shark loving, speakers including Steve Backshall and the Shark Trust team for an evening celebrating shark conservation at the Royal Geographical Society in London this November.
Date: 29th November 2024
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Royal Geographical Society, London
Tickets: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The event will be a celebration of all things shark. Those lucky enough to get hold of tickets will hear from engaging guest speakers with a passion for sharks.
The line-up includes (*subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise)
Steve Backshall: One of television’s busiest presenters, BAFTA award-winning wildlife expert Steve has been passionate about the wild world ever since he was young.
Steve’s impressive TV career has taken him all around the world, investigating a wide array of species and environments. Steve has filmed over 100 hours of children’s wildlife programmes with the BAFTA award winning Deadly 60 franchise and recently, with Sky Nature, for his new series ‘Whale with Steve Backshall’. He has been a patron for the Shark Trust for 10 years.
Simon Rogerson: is a photojournalist specialising in natural history, diving and the sea.
He is editor of SCUBA magazine, the official journal of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Simon started his career as a crime reporter but gravitated towards his ‘less depressing’ interest in underwater exploration, joining the staff of DIVE magazine in 1999. In 2005 he was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the PPA’s Independent Publishing Awards. Simon also works as a freelance writer, contributing frequently to the Sunday Times and Telegraph, in addition to BBC Wildlife, Esquire, and a host of international diving magazines. He is the author of a book, Dive Red Sea, published by Ultimate Sports. Now based in Berkshire, Simon has been a Patron of the Shark Trust for 20 years.
More speakers to be announced soon. Head to the Shark Trust website to learn more.
The evening will also allow guests the final chance to see the Oceanic 31, shark art exhibition. Some of the artwork will be auctioned/raffled at the event, while the rest will be auctioned online to raise money for the Shark Trust Oceanic Programme.
For the Love of Sharks is an evening with something for everyone who is interested and fascinated by sharks. Join the Shark Trust, their Patrons, Trustees and Staff, along with a host of supporters for this celebration of shark conservation.
For more information or to buy a ticket: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
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