Happy Vacations Files Chapter 11

Happy Vacations is in the process of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. “As soon as the bankruptcy has been completed and a filing number has been received, it will immediately be made available on our website,” the tour operator said.

After a 40-year run, the Watsonville, Calif.-based company ceased operations on Monday, less than one week after explaining that it expected to receive additional capital on April 27.

Happy Vacations said it had been in discussions with a number of interested parties to invest capital and to potentially buy all or part of the company. But it had not obtained the necessary funds to remain in operation, the company said.

Happy Vacations said on its website that it is working with other travel providers to protect as many travelers as possible. The company advised travel agents to take immediate action to ensure that their clients’ trips are not disrupted.

Several tour operators and travel companies have offered to rebook former Happy clients, including Pleasant Holidays, Funjet Vacations, Classic Vacations, Travel Impressions, NWA WorldVacations, Goway Travel, Gogo Vacations, Apple Vacations, Blue Sky Tours and Air Tahiti Nui.

Happy Vacations was a specialist in destination weddings, honeymoons and other vacation packages to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the South Pacific.