WANTED
A middle-aged couple would like a food and winery-themed tour of Australia. They have been to Sydney, so somewhere like South or
Western Australia. They’re not sure of distances and the best way to travel – perhaps a self-drive tour or escorted tour. They want at least two weeks, plus vineyards and sights. They’re flexible about 2020 dates, so just need to know best times for weather and best prices. BUDGET: £5,500
THE VERDICT
All three agencies produced interesting and extensive itineraries between Perth and Melbourne, with a range of departure dates. The Trailfinders quote with a motorhome just edged it over the Travel Nation car hire offering, because it caught the imagination of the shopper, who described it as the trip of a lifetime. The Kuoni option was well over budget, even though the shopper said they were flexible.
WINNING AGENT
SALES TEAM LEADER saskia sano
I have worked for the company since 2008. It remains a very popular destination for us at Trailfinders, and since the Qantas direct flight to Perth there has been a lot more interest in the west coast, including using it as a stopover for the rest of Australia.
SCORING SYSTEM
10% Appearance/first impressions 25% Customer service 25% Advice and product knowledge 25% Holiday details 15% Overall experience
trailfinders 66 WESTERN ROAD
IMPRESSION: The shop was clean, and the staff looked smart and professional. The window display was quite sparse and I could not see a brochure display.
SERVICE: I was spoken to immediately and waited less than a minute to be seen. We talked about where I would like to go and what I would like to see. The agent seemed knowledgeable and mentioned excursions, car hire and travel insurance, plus insurance for a motorhome.
QUOTE: I was quoted for a 20-night Trailfinders holiday departing in May from Heathrow with Qantas, via Singapore to Perth. There was a stopover in Singapore on the return journey from Melbourne. Accommodation would be in Perth, Melbourne and a motorhome for 12 nights. Excursions included a Swan Valley food and wine-tasting tour, a dolphin cruise and trip to Penguin Island, Phillip Island, a Melbourne tour and a river cruise. It would cost £4,166 and was the most reasonable price offered to me.
OVERALL: The service was excellent and the agent was friendly and engaging, discussing a variety of ideas. I would have preferred two quotes, in order to compare going by motorhome and driving a car, but the holiday sounded like the trip of a lifetime.
80% 40 2 JANUARY 2020
travelweekly.co.uk
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
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 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
