MYSTERY SHOPPER WIN MY BOOKING
HARROGATE, NORTH YORKSHIRE
WANTED: A relaxing week in Dubai for two in November. They want to be near the beach and if possible would like to spend some time in the desert. BUDGET: £5,000
WINNING AGENT
MANAGER CLAIRE MARKS
Michael Langford Travel Services
20 BOWER ROAD
I was greeted immediately and welcomed into a very clean store. The agent started asking questions at once and was very enthusiastic; she had been to Dubai and was due to go on a trip organised by
Emirates. She was friendly and patient throughout. I was given a number of
‘
I have worked in travel for 22 years. I started training here and
have returned a few times during my career. I also went travelling at one point. I love making people happy and creating dreams for them.
VERDICT
All the agents gave recommendations within budget but the winning agent was knowledgable and enthusiastic.
options with If Only, the cheapest being a stay at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina for £3,950, including flights. I was also quoted an additional £1,210 for a night at the Al Maha Desert Resort, and the agent recommended Friday brunch at Al Qasr. The options
were good but I would have liked her to have narrowed them down. She did not try to close the sale or take my details.
90%
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
86% SCORING SYSTEM
50% Advice and product knowledge
25% Customer service
15% External/internal appearance
10% Overall experience
TIME OUT
Any agency that keeps Mystery Shopper waiting without acknowledgement for 10 minutes will fail to score!
Thomson 18 OXFORD STREET
I was served by an agent who was friendly but who seemed a little unenthusiastic and did not initially
offer suitable options. However, after a colleague recommended she call some operators, she warmed to the task. She suggested a £4,585 trip with Hayes & Jarvis, staying at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, and including one night at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.
33%
Thomas Cook 16 JAMES STREET
I felt the agents here lacked enthusiasm and could have had better knowledge of the destination. I did not feel they really wanted to get the best for my needs. I was recommended a £3,273 Thomas Cook Signature trip staying at the
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel. The agents could not book or price a desert hotel as they only offered their own operators. I was not asked my budget and no attempt was made to close the sale.
42
travelweekly.co.uk 3 March 2016
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