| Travel agent says he'll reimburse students, pay fine
A Salt Lake City travel agent accused of defrauding students for whom he helped organize school tours has agreed to refund students' money and pay a $10,000 fine to settle charges brought by the Utah Department of Commerce.
Larry Webb, owner of Learing on Location and International Studentours Inc., must repay 488 students cited in his case within a year or face a $1.2 million fine, Francine Giani, Commerce Department executive director, said in a statement Monday.
This settlement . . . is a positive step forward for hundreds of consumers, Giani said. We are pleased Larry Webb chose to work with [The Utah Division of] Consumer Protection and is pledging to make good on his original contracts.
Phones at Webb's businesses have been disconnected and he could not immediately be contacted for comment Monday.
Right in the midst of the Middle Kingdom
THE SEA OF CARS, YAWNING highways and vertical superstructures belie the glorious past of this Chinese city. But trek through the ancient quarters and one is transported to the mystical charm of fable, folklore, centuries-old rumors, empires and emperors. This is, after all, the land where the sound of the footsteps you leave behind echoes with the fervid voices of the past. Since Beijing is set to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, tourism has never been better. The Philippine Airlines has so far transported more than 25,000 passengers to the city since it resumed its direct flight last November. Starting with three-times-a-week frequency (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday), the service has since added another flight (Thursday), and is looking forward to making the service a daily one. Since PAL Mabuhay Miles has an excellent lineup of partner hotels, such as the Marco Polo Hotels, visiting Beijing is now a breeze more than ever for the Pinoy traveler.
|
