| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 29 |
| Copyright: Other |
Has JMC manage to get the basics right?
Has JMC manage to get the basics right?
JMCpromised to unpackage the package holiday. Isabel Choat went to Turkey to try out its new product
ESTABLISHING JMC took months of planning and millions of pounds.But in some ways launching the new brand was the easy part. Living up to the claims that JMC offers the British tourist a package holiday with a difference is more difficult.
This became only too clear in the first week of the season when the operator was forced to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation to more than 70 guests after they turned up to find building work in full swing at their hotel on the Greek island of Zante.
When quizzed about the incident, a spokeswoman insisted JMC had never promised to eliminate disasters like this when it “unravelled the package holiday”.
Guests were offered a full refund on their holiday, partly paid in resort, the rest on their return to the UK and moved to alternative accommodation.
Nevertheless, it was an inauspicious start for an operator which aims “to get the basics right” and provide “a new experience for holidaymakers” as its brochures state.
Hillside Beach Club: located on a private bay close to the town of Fethiye
1. Check-in
The check-in at Gatwick went very smoothly, the whole process taking less than 10mins. The lurid green JMC logo meant that the check-in desk was easy to find and there was no shortage of JMC staff on hand to answer any queries passengers may have had.
2. The flight
There was no mistaking that this was a JMC flight. The lurid green was everywhere. Fortunately, the cabin crew are not forced to wear the same colour. They wear trendy petrol-blue-coloured uniforms. The flight was on time, the food reasonable and the staff pleasant. Headphones were available for £2.50 and drinks cost £2.10 for a spirit and 40p for a mixer. The ergonomically designed seats are comfortable. The only drawback was the seat pitch.
3. The transfer
We were met at Dalaman airport immediately. After a 1hr, 15min transfer, we arrived at the hotel. Half an hour later, we were still in reception. The delay could have been down to the fact our group was staying on a gulet and there was some confusion as to where it was moored. Other guests also said it took them some time to get into their rooms and when they did, they were not the rooms they had requested.
4. The resort
Hillside Beach Club is flagged up as a Star Performer property in JMC’s dedicated Turkey brochure. Located on a private bay, three miles from the town of Fethiye, the 330-room resort is an ideal spot for families. There are two kids’ clubs, a swimming pool and a whole host of activities available. There is entertainment every night in a mini-amphitheatre by the pool and a disco for those who want to party. The rooms are simple but tastefully decorated. Meals are served buffet style and there’s a huge variety. It is hard to fault the resort. We stayed there for three nights and I would happily have stayed for a week more.
5. The JMC Rep
Rana Husnu, 23, worked for Sunworld last year. This year she came back to work for JMC and is based in Hisaronu where she is responsible for two properties.
“A lot of people think the changes JMC have made are superficial but a lot of things are different,” Husnu said.”Last season was very sales oriented and you worried if you didn’t meet your targets. Now we are more customer focused. It means you can be more genuine because you are not just trying to sell the most expensive excursion. I’m a lot happier and feel like I am being looked after.”
6. What clients thought
Peter and Gina Price and their two children (Adam, 14 and Holly, 10) travelled to Turkey with JMC. It was their seventh visit to the Hillside Beach Club.
JMC:a different way of handling difficult situations