FRONTLINE Reading
THE TOP-SCORING AGENT EACH
WEEK BAGS A £25
AMAZON VOUCHER, COURTESY OF ELITE ISLAND RESORTS
Kos Town
thames valley travel 13 LONDON ROAD, TWYFORD
IMPRESSIONS: This store was well maintained, with tidy window and brochure displays. The employee looked professional.
SERVICE: I was acknowledged immediately and, after discussing my requirements, was offered several options. The agent had good product knowledge and recommended a hotel that they had stayed in themselves. The service from the agent was enthusiastic, friendly and attentive, but they did not pursue a sale nor offer any extras. I was given a business card and advised to think about the options before booking.
QUOTES: Both quotes were for seven-night breaks in Crete with Olympic Holidays in September, flying from Gatwick with Thomas Cook Airlines. The first option was for £3,310 at the Blue Palace Resort and Spa, and the second at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort, for £2,180. The hotels suited my requirements as they had a pool, spa and sports facilities, although the first was significantly overbudget.
OVERALL: The agent listened closely and matched the shopper’s requirements, while showing their knowledge about Crete and the resorts. But they didn’t do enough to secure the booking while the shopper was in the agency, or follow up afterwards.
68%
travelweekly.co.uk
kuoni BROAD STREET
IMPRESSIONS: The shop was within a John Lewis department store. It was well maintained, as were the window and brochure displays. The staff looked smart.
SERVICE: I was acknowledged immediately and outlined my requirements to an agent, who had a brief look at options on their computer. They said it may take some time to find my ideal holiday, as the options coming up did not match my requirements. The agent offered instead to email quotes. They knew about the Greek islands and resorts, but I was not offered any extras.
QUOTES: The first quote was for 10 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Pallas Athena Grecotel boutique hotel in Athens. The price was £2,724, including private transfers, flying from Heathrow to Athens with British Airways in September. The agent said it was a lovely hotel, away from the busy streets, although I would still be able to walk to nearby museums and landmarks. The second quote was for seven nights’ self-catering at the Villa Viola in Paxos, which was available for £1,906 with CV Villas in September, including transfers but not flights. Neither property offered a spa or sporting facilities.
OVERALL: The properties were excellent and in lovely locations, but didn’t closely match the shopper’s requirements.
49% 11 JULY 2019 45
Elite Island Resorts offers eight all-inclusive beach properties in the Caribbean. ANTIGUA: Galley Bay Resort & Spa; Hammock Cove Resort & Spa; St. James’s Club & Villas; The Verandah Resort & Spa; and Pineapple Beach Club BARBADOS: The Club, Barbados Resort & Spa SAINT LUCIA: St. James’s Club Morgan Bay ST VINCENT & THE GRENADINES: Palm Island Resort & Spa. As well as all-inclusive Caribbean holidays in beachfront locations, Elite Island Resorts offers family and adult-only resorts, and free wedding and honeymoon packages.
eliteislandholidays.com
PICTURE: ?hutterstock
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