Francois Swart, the Managing Director or Priority Escapes. Image: priorityescapes.com
In a disconcerting echo of the Hello Darlings incident from 2022, another unsettling episode has emerged within the travel industry, whereby a Johannesburg-based travel agency stands accused of swindling thousands of rands from unsuspecting victims.
Social media users have been calling out travel bookings company Priority Escapes’ managing director, Francois Swart, after they claimed that he sold them holiday packages and has now disappeared without fulfilling his end of the deal – much like former travel agent Tasneem “Tazz” Moosa of Hello Darlings.
The company Priority Escapes, which offered alluringly affordable Maldives holidays, has been accused of pocketing substantial amounts of money from unsuspecting passengers.
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According to reports, it all started when the company allegedly sent out an email asserting its inability to fulfil its “financial obligations”, leaving numerous individuals in a state of disbelief and frustration.
In a screenshot posted on social media, alleged to be the email directed at Priority Escapes’ customers, Swart conveyed that the travel company finds itself incapable of fulfilling its financial commitments concerning clients and service providers.
“It is with deep regret that it falls on me to advise you that we find ourselves in a position whereby we are unable to meet our financial obligations in respect of Priority Escapes clients and service providers.
“We have had no option other than to cease trading with immediate effect. This unfortunately will have an effect on your upcoming holiday to the Maldives which is now not able to take place.
“We are doing everything possible for the clients affected by this and will communicate with you again in due course,” the email allegedly states.
Swart made no mention of refunds nor did he offer his clients options for recourse. The company’s website and social media pages were also taken down.
Meanwhile, clients who claim to have paid Swart up to R230 000 upfront for holiday bookings and have not been able to get hold of him since receiving the email are now threatening to take legal action and open criminal charges against the travel agent and his company.
Priority Escapes is a travel agency based in Fourways, Johannesburg, that described itself as the country’s “only” Maldives specialists.
To boost its credibility, the company published a range of celebrity endorsements, including the likes of Thando Thabethe and Zozibini Tunzi.
Early last year, CEO Tasneem “Tazz” Moosa, who operated the travel agency Hello Darlings was exposed for allegedly embezzling around R100 million from clients.
The scandal came to light after clients complained about delayed refunds, poor communication through WhatsApp, and questionable business practices.
Influencers who promoted the agency received benefits in return but distanced themselves in January. Affected clients organised on Telegram, forming a group of over 3 000 members to recover their funds.
More than 370 criminal cases were filed, with over R28 million invested in the agency and trip refunds.
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