FRONTLINE Oswestry, Shropshire WEEK BAGS A £25
AMAZON VOUCHER, COURTESY OF
CASA DE CAMPO RESORT & VILLAS
Dambulla Caves, Sri Lanka
liberty travel 5 CROSS STREET
IMPRESSION: The shop was clean. Staff were dressed differently, with no name badges, but presentable. Window and brochure displays were well ordered.
SERVICE: I was seen immediately and the agent was reassuring and knowledgeable about the security situation. They said there were no current issues but didn’t seem to have a lot of destination knowledge. However, they spoke about visas, excursions and upgrades. I couldn’t get quotes immediately but returned an hour later to collect the quotes and a brochure from a colleague.
QUOTES: Both were 14-day holidays with Travel 2, departing March 2020 from Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines. The first featured an eight-day tour, including Yala National Park, followed by six days at Mermaid Hotel and Club, Kalutara, on a B&B basis for £4,005. Upgrading to half-board would cost £314. There were options to book a leopard safari and whale-watching, for £100 per person. The second featured a six-day Scenic and Wildlife Tour followed by nine days’ B&B at Mermaid Hotel for £3,803. Half-board was an extra £216.
OVERALL: The enthusiastic agent gave me their undivided attention, although it was a shame I was just handed the quotes and brochure by a colleague when I returned.
75%
travelweekly.co.uk
dragon travel agents 37 BAILEY STREET
IMPRESSIONS: The shop was clean and had handwritten offers on a sandwich board outside and cards in the window. But the different handwriting styles made it look disjointed.
SERVICE: The shop was quiet so I was dealt with immediately. The agent was not enthusiastic and didn’t ask questions to find out what we wanted. They demonstrated little knowledge of Sri Lanka or its security situation but referred to the government website and advised that travel was fine. They said October was the best time to visit, after consulting a weather and climate page, which I didn’t get to see. It felt as if they were too busy to deal with me in the shop even though there was no one else there. They emailed quotes to me later that day.
QUOTES: Both were with Mercury Holidays. The first was flying from Heathrow with Qatar Airways on a 17-day escorted tour called Grand Tour of Sri Lanka, for £3,898. The second was a 14-night holiday, flying from Manchester with Qatar Airways, staying at Coco Royal Beach Resort on a half-board basis, for £2,630.
OVERALL: They provided no explanation of why they recommended the first option and the second had very few details. The experience felt rushed as if the agent did not have time to look for options.
55% 21 NOVEMBER 2019 43 43
“As a member of the Leading Hotels of The World, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is the ultimate Caribbean adventure.” Experience the unsurpassed amenities that makes Casa de Campo Resort & Villas the most unique destination in the Dominican Republic. Offering exclusive luxury experiences this intimate paradise is filled with unmatched sports including horse riding, shooting, 13 tennis courts, kayaking down the Chavón River and a 63-hole golf course designed by Pete Dye. Set on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo resides between the glistening Caribbean sea and the winding Chavón River. The five- star luxury resort encompasses 7,000 acres of premium facilities, luxury accommodation and lush landscapes. Guests can easily navigate the resort as each room comes with a golf buggy.
THE TOP-SCORING AGENT EACH
PICTURE: iStock
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