Group Voyagers, Inc. d/b/a Globus, Cosmos, Brennan Vacations, Monograms and Avalon Waterways

Order 2007-11-13
OST-2007-26781

Issued and Served November 20, 2007

Consent Order

This consent order concerns advertisements by Group Voyagers, Inc., d/b/a Globus, Cosmos, Brennan Vacations, Monograms and Avalon Waterways that violate th Department's advertising requirements specified in Part 399 of the Department's regulations and constitute unfair and deceptive trade practices and unfair methods of competition in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 41712. This order directs Group Voyagers to cease and desist from future violations and assesses the company compromise civil penalties of $70,000.

Group Voyagers has offered for many years comprehensive travel packages that include airfare, hotel, river cruises, guided tours and other amenities. During 2005 and 2006, Group Voyagers promoted air travel packages through printed brochures, mailers and by means of advertisements that were published on its web site and through direct e-mail advertising campaigns. The airfares and air tours promoted in Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways brochures, e-mails and mailers and on Group Voyagers' web sites did not comply with Department requirements. Specifically, the listed prices for the complete air and cruise packages did not include airline fuel surcharges and they lacked an appropriate notice or hyperlink prominent and proximate to the price that disclosed to the viewer that taxes and fees that are permitted to be listed separately from the advertised price were not included.

By: Rosalind Knapp