This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
THE LEADERBOARD


Who’s the best travel seller so far this year? Go to ttgdigital.com/mysteryshopper for our leaderboard and profiles of former winners. The top-scorer of each month wins a £25 attractions voucher, with thanks to our partner Attraction World


high street v internet


Thomas Cook 85 George Street


First impressions: The shop was quiet and I was offered assistance immediately. The decor was dull and the consultant seemed more mechanical than genuinely interested in my plans. I left without having established that we were a same sex couple. 7/10


Sales process: The consultant did not ask my budget or show empathy relating to the momentous occasion of the wedding. I was given a brochure while they looked for hotels and flights, without having asked what I had in mind. 8/15


Product match: They became more animated when a colleague recommended Hotel Metro, at £2,798 for five nights in October including flights. The hotel was not available in September. I was advised that a wedding package would start at £1,375. 9/15


Making the sale: The consultant gave me a business card and seemed happy to send me away with brochures. They did not ask for my contact details or make me feel excited about the packages on offer. 6/10


The Bridal Consultant Thebridalconsultant.co.uk


First impressions: This website stood out with the phrase “getting married in New York is a one-off and special moment”. The company only seemed to provide wedding packages without flights or accommodation though. Contact details were easy to see. 7/10


Sales process: It was easy to search for civil partnerships and locations, and see photos. I received a response to my email request quickly, but the consultant had to speak to colleagues about travel. The message was positive. 9/15


Product match: I opted for a wedding package at The Pool in Central Park for £1,437. I would have liked to discuss flights and hotel at the same time but would have had to wait to hear from another member of staff. 9/15


Making the sale: The consultant did not press me to pursue the wedding package or contact the company again. This multi-step sales process and the effort required on my part put me off. 4/10


Dream Weddings & Honeymoons Dreamweddings.co.uk First impressions: The “UK-based wedding specialist for New York” tagline caught my eye. Initially, the link from Google was broken but when I found the homepage I could request a quote quickly. The website was well presented and provided several relevant options. 5/10


Sales process: Despite receiving confirmation via email that my request had been submitted, I had not heard back three days later. I could not find opening hours on the site but left a couple of voicemails. 7/15


Product match: I had not been able to ge through or receive a response after 72 hours. 0/15


This week’s winner


Making the sale: No sale could be attempted. 0/10


60% 58% 36%


Earn up to£250 Capital Bonds on bookings to Tobago


Book by 30 June either of the Tobago properties featured in our fantastic All-Inclusive Summer Sale and receive up to £250 Capital Bonds vouchers.


Formore details or to register your booking and claim your vouchers please e-mailwerewardagents@caribtours.co.uk. All it needs is ‘u’...


The S mmer Sale ABTAV6665 / ATOL 2674 CARIBTOURS 020 7751 0660 / caribtours.co.uk


Name: Andrew Nelson Agency: Admiral Travel How long have you been in travel? 12 years How’s business? Both our shops are up on this time last year, selling a good mix of short and long haul. What’s your insider tip for NYC? Instead of going up the Empire State Building (big queues and expensive) send clients to the Rockefeller centre (cheaper, no queues, and means you have the Empire State Building within your Manhattan skyline). Do you sell many weddings in America? Some. Vegas is the easiest to book in terms of legal requirements. Do you have many gay couples as clients? Yes. They tend to be very knowledgeable about the destinations they are choosing but we can offer extra guidance for travelling in places like the Middle East.


Who gets the booking? I was disappointed not to hear back from Dream Weddings & Honeymoons within 72 hours, while booking with The Bridal Consultant seemed like a convoluted process. The Thomas Cook consultant offered straightforward packages but did not seem bothered about my trip. I would have booked with Andrew at Admiral Travel because he was knowledgeable, personable and honest.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60