Resorthoppa failure investigated Ian Taylor


The administrators of Resorthoppa are investigating the company’s failure and “possible claims” of “transactions at undervalue”, “wrongful trading” and “transactions to defraud creditors”, according to their latest progress report. Joint administrators James


Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory have produced a confidential report following a review of the company’s banking records, accounts, books and records, and analysis of its “relationship with creditors”, in line with their statutory obligations to pursue any claims they can bring. They have also reviewed “all


creditor complaints” and compared “the directors’ reasons for insolvency against the joint administrators’ findings”. They urge any creditor with “concerns about the way in which the company’s business has been conducted or information on any potential recoveries” to contact them. Resorthoppa entered


administration in March, owing unsecured creditors £8.2 million following a ‘pre-packaged sale’ for £398,000 to the newly formed Hoppa Group – set up in February by California-registered transfer technology firm Elife Tech. Directors Ronaldo Scheepers and Matthew Hall transferred to the new company along with other employees. The transfer provider had only


V-level qualification cautiously welcomed by education experts


Juliet Dennis


Plans for post-16 vocational V-level qualifications including a travel and tourism course have been cautiously welcomed by the sector. Abta is to meet members of the


Tourism Industry Skills Working Group and awarding body Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE) next week to work through the proposals. The Department for Education


is seeking responses to its further education consultation by January 12, 2026, with a view to introducing V-levels for level 3


4 23 OCTOBER 2025


courses starting in 2027. It has identified 15 initial subjects, including travel and tourism. Students would take a mix of


V-levels and A-levels, or a single T-level, equivalent to three A-levels. The government has already


announced plans to defund level 3 BTecs in travel and tourism, and aviation, but it is understood these will retain funding until new courses start. There is no T-level for travel. In a statement, Abta said: “We’re


hopeful this [consultation] will be positive news for level 3 travel and tourism qualifications but need to understand the details first.” Academics welcomed the


emerged from a corporate voluntary arrangement in November 2024. But by March its debts included six-figure sums owed to 18 transport providers among 471 unsecured creditors. Elife was a creditor, owed about £97,000. The pre-pack sale left creditors


angry, although KR8 Advisory described it as “the only option” and warned there were not enough funds to pay preferential creditors, let alone those unsecured. A ‘transaction at undervalue’ is


one where an asset changes hands for significantly less than it is worth. A ‘transaction to defraud


creditors’ is one where a debtor intentionally transfers assets to hide them from creditors. Both can be reversed by a court and directors


involved may face penalties or disqualification. ‘Wrongful trading’ refers to


a company continuing to trade beyond the time when directors knew, or should have known, it had no reasonable prospect of avoiding liquidation. Directors can be found personally liable for this, although it’s a civil offence whereas fraudulent trading is a criminal act. The administrators are also


investigating possible ‘preference’ payments, where an insolvent company pays a particular creditor ahead of others. On completing their investigation, they must submit a report to the secretary of state, who decides whether to pursue action through the Insolvency Service.


Travel and tourism is one of 15 subjects proposed for new V-level vocational courses


proposals but reiterated the need for a T-level in travel and tourism to replace the level 3 BTec extended diploma, a one-subject, full-time course worth three A-levels. John Garside, lecturer in travel and


tourism and aviation at Birmingham Metropolitan College, said: “I was really pleased to see travel and tourism on the list of courses; however, it is very different from the current BTec. Hopefully, it will lead to the opportunity for a bigger qualification, like a T-level, down the line.” He noted demand to study travel and tourism was rising “massively”


but said it was vital there were courses to excite students to start a career in the sector. “That’s what the industry needs,” he added. Peter Robinson, head of events,


tourism and hospitality management at Leeds Beckett University, agreed: “The ideal end point would be a travel and tourism T-level but unless we can prove there is demand for V-levels we cannot make the argument for a T-level.” Meanwhile, no decision has been


made on whether a new level 3 travel and tourism qualification developed by industry and NCFE will start in 2026.


travelweekly.co.uk


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