Journal: TWUK Section: Tit

August 11, 2000, 12:28

Journal: TWUK	Section:
Title:	Issue Date: 22/05/00
Author:	Page Number: 15
Copyright: Other

REQUEST

Mystery Shopper called on agents in Keighley in West Yorkshire to ask about late deals to Cyprus inSeptember for her family. Agents were notenthusiastic about the idea and warned that prices may not be as cheap as Mystery Shopper hoped. The Lunn Poly consultant impressed with her enthusiasticcomments about Cyprus.

HHHHH

Each week, Mystery Shopper will be calling on agents in different areas. Stars are awarded to agents which score for:

H Agency appearance

H Product knowledge

H Staff attitude

H Brochure racking

H Sales technique

The top-scoring agency each week receives a Travel Weekly certificate ofcommendation

Please notethat no additional information will be given about Mystery Shopper’s visits.

this week: Keighley

Thomas Cook

6 College Walk

Keighley H

This was a spacious agency with empty looking racks. I was served immediately by a consultant who was quite adamant that I should not be expecting too much from a late deal.

She said they were often no cheaper and also I would not be able to get free child places or spaces in children’s clubs. She said September was still a popular month so it may be hard to get availability.

But she did give me JMC Cyprus, Olympic Cyprus and Greece, Skytours Summer Sun brochures to look through.

H Agency appearance

Sunwin Travel

Low Street

Keighley HH

The agency was located in a large department store. Brochure supplies were very low. I was served immediately by a very friendly consultant who said it changed from year to year so she didn’t know when late deals would be out.

She checked dates and said she would look to see if there were any free child places left. The consultant quoted me a family price of around £2,400 for a half-board holiday, saying this was very cheap for self-catering. I was not clear which operator she was selling.

H Agency appearance

H Staff attitude

Althams

22 Low Street

Keighley HHH

I was served immediately by a helpful consultant who warned that September was still a popular time to travel as the engineering holidays were still on. (I was not entirely sure what that meant!)

She said deals could not be guaranteed and I would have to wait until the end of August to see what was available.

I was given JMC Cyprus, Priceright Cyprus which was highlighted as a good brochure and First Choice Cyprus. She gave me a card and said to call for up-to-date prices.

H Agency appearance

H Sales technique

H Staff attitude

Lunn Poly

37 Queensway

Keighley

HHHH

This neat looking agency had two consultants on duty. Brochure racks looked rather empty. I was served immediately by a friendly consultant who said the best time to start looking for late deals was about four weeks before departure or I could look at the special offers in the newspaper in the next few weeks.

She said Cyprus was a lovely place to go though it was a bit more expensive than the likes of Majorca. The consultant recommended the Odessa Hotel in Protaras.

She had been there last year and she said it was very good for families and was also very friendly. She did a quick costing and said it would be around £1,600 for a family holiday.

The consultant gave me her card and said she had seen a number of hotels while she was out there on her visit and could give me advice on accommodation when I wanted to book. She added that some of the all-inclusive hotels were not so good. I was given both First Choice and Thomson Summer Sun brochures.

H Staff attitude

H Agency appearance

H Product knowledge

H Sales technique

H TOP TIPS FOR AGENTS H

Tip 1: Don’t be too dismissive about late deals. You can usually get a bargain at the last minute despite the spin from the big operators. But it is worth pointing out to the customer that they may not get free child places or places in the children’s club.