Thieving Colac travel agent now behind bars

A thieving Victorian travel agent has been being handed a 30-month prison sentence over a scam in which he stole almost $280,000 from 47 different clients.

Jordan Dittloff stole $277,000 from a travel agency he owned and operated in Colac, 75km southwest of Geelong.

The former Geelong Young Liberals president and Rotarian pleaded guilty to scamming 47 clients - which included 32 members of a Colac Scout group who had spent 18 months fundraising for a volunteering trip and his former fiancée's mother.

Heather Green and her husband, Mike, booked their dream holiday through Ace Travel. They were supposed to explore the Greek Islands, as part of a $36,000 package, but never even made it to Melbourne Airport's Departure Lounge.

"It just destroyed us," Mrs Green said.

"Do I trust someone again? Who do I trust?"

In handing down his sentence, County Court Judge Gerard Mullaly noted that Dittloff's portrayal as a civic-minded citizen added to his moral culpability.

Judge Mullaly sentenced Dittloff to a 30-month custodial sentence, of which he must serve a minimum of 20 months before he is eligible for parole.

Upon release, he will then be placed on a strict two-year Community Corrections Order, which includes 200 hours of community service.

Through his lawyer, Dittloff released an apology letter to his victims.

"I want those who are owed money by me to know that I intend to repay all my debts," it read.

"At present I have no cash or assets and will be unable to make any repayments while I am in jail, but on my release I will begin to work towards making good on my debts."