BARBARA CHARLTON Regular columnist Barbara was voted Most Helpful Travel Counsellor of the Year for two consecutive years.
talking shop WISE COUNSEL Saint Lucia delivers on all fronts
Last year I bought my first-ever pair of trainers, for a 13-mile charity walk. They were obviously no good because out of 1300 walkers I finished flat last. However I thought I’d give them a second chance, so I dug them out to see if they could cope with an overseas trip! Le Sport, St Lucia, was the destination destined to see my trainers in action, but as it turned out most of my time was spent in the most amazing spa I have ever been to! All guests at this great property
receive a daily inclusive spa treatment, except on arrival and departure days, but there’s more to Le Sport than the spa. The list of other all-inclusive activities
is amazing. I learnt how to juggle and my husband discovered the basics of archery. We both had our first meditation lesson, and I even tried Pilates. Le Sport will be closed for three months, to renovate the public areas, but its biggest asset is its excellent staff who all give the very best and attentive service. If you have clients booked to go to this property make sure they pre- book all their included treatments before they go, along with reservations for the excellent TAO restaurant. It's fabulous! I wouldn’t be a Travel Counsellor if I
didn’t land myself a new client or two when on holiday! At Le Sport I soon got friendly with a really lovely couple who, it transpired, take their family on around 30 holidays a year! They were thrilled when I explained
how Travel Counsellors operate and said they needed someone to organise their travels! They were staying on longer in Saint Lucia than us, so when I got back I sent them a ‘welcome home’ card to let them know that I was ready to help them plan their next overseas adventure. Our second Saint Lucia hotel was Rendezvous; it provided a lovely relaxing and romantic end to our trip. On the very nice Malabar Beach, near Castries, the accommodation and food were both fabulous and it's a place that's definitely worth recommending to honeymooners or romantic couples of any age. Whilst in Saint Lucia I caught up with
the lovely Genevieve Schwigon, who was once with the Saint Lucia Tourist Board in London before returning to the Caribbean. She is now working at Cotton Bay. She invited us over for
“I wouldn't be a Travel Counsellor if I didn't land myself a new client or two when on holiday!”
lunch and to look around the property. I loved it there. It's set in a peaceful bay with a lovely beach-front restaurant with relaxing sofas and soft sands. It was also cooler on the Atlantic side
of the island, with refreshing breezes offsetting the high humidity levels. The villas are really well equipped, and if you have larger families or groups of friends wanting some lovely accommodation away from the madding crowd, Cotton Bay Village is the perfect suggestion. If your clients want excellent conditions for kite surfing, riding horses through the countryside, along the beach and right into the sea they have it all right on this lovely bay. I won my St Lucia trip at a training
evening hosted by Caribtours. I was delighted to be given the chance to renew my love of this beautiful island. Before I set off I popped into a local
travel agency to pick up some last- minute currency. I was in a queue for 20 minutes, which
gave me the opportunity to watch two agents in action. The first took a telephone enquiry
Clockwise from top left, the beach and pool at Rendezvous Couples, horses on the beach at Cotton Bay and Le Sport
from what I gathered was a sizeable booking for two families. The consultant took basic contact details from them but did little to explore their requirements – and told them it would probably be two
days before she would hope to get back to them!! I was shocked and wondered how this
particular shop actually did any business apart from walk-ins like me for currency! I understand agencies have to do a lot
of the admin work themselves but if my visit was a snapshot of how customers are treated then there seems to be a lack of training in how to engage with the client, be interested in their needs and become someone they will trust enough to book with. If high street agents are to survive, they
surely have to do better than this. You may think it’s easy for me to criticise, but how hard is it to try to get to know your clients? I hope that everyone is now very
prepared for the busy 'lates' season, which seems to get later each year – and more expensive as well!
Happy Summer Selling! Contact Details
BARBARA CHARLTON Travel Counsellors UK 0845 0587 290
Barbara.charlton@
travelcounsellors.com www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/barbara. charlton
www.sellinglonghaul.com • June 2011 61
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