Travel Weekly’s Mystery Shopper calls on travel agents across the UK each week to check presentation, attitude and service.
Travel Weekly’s Mystery Shopper in association with Gazetteers.com.
THE TARGET ▼ | WANTED ▼ |
Newcastle, Tyne and Wear | A seven-night stay at a cool hotel in Tunisia for a couple |
RULES Internal/external appearance (25%) Please note, no additional information will be given about Mystery Shopper’s visits. | |
Thomas Cook 6 Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne The agency was brightly lit but busy. I browsed the brochures and waited to be seen while the consultants dealt with other customers. When I was eventually acknowledged I was given a brochure and told to look through it I was not offered any other help or guidance. Score:32% | |
Travelcare 117 Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne I found this was the best agency on price and was approached immediately by a friendly consultant who searched for suitable accommodation. Score:54% | |
Dawson and Sanderson 26 Ridley Place, Newcastle upon Tyne A large, clean shop with very competent staff that showed a kind, friendly approach, making me feel comfortable throughout the visit. Score:74% | |
Thomson 124 Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne This shop was very clean and well presented with three large departments including a bureau de change. I was seen by a very pleasant and helpful consultant, whose knowledge and fervent study of each hotel was a customer’s dream. Score:81% | |
TOP FIVE TIPS Tip 1:Tunisia has its own take on the riad concept – they’re called dars here and although not as plentiful as Morocco, they’re springing up all the time. Tip 2:Look out for Tunisia specialists and upmarket operators such as Wigmore and Classic Collection Holidays – if they can’t find exactly what the client is looking for they will be able to suggest an alternative. Tip 3:If you’re stumped, call the tourist office, which will be more than happy to help with more esoteric requests. The Tunisia National Tourist Office can be reached on 020 7224 5561. Tip 4:For small, intimate hotels, bypass the big resorts such as Hammamet and look at more out-of-the-way places such as the Island of Djerba. Carthage also has a very modern boutique hotel, the Villa Didon. Tip 5:Spa holidays are also very big in Tunisia – thalassotherapy in particular. This kind of treatment uses saltwater and minerals from the sea | SUMMARY This week Mystery Shopper challenged agents to find cool and unusual accommodation for a young couple who want to go to Tunisia for a week in May. |
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