Thomas Cook flew its top 100 agents to Antigua for five days in September in recognition of their hard work.
The fam is becoming an annual fixture for hard-working agents – last year Thomas Cook hosted a fam to Montreal and Quebec City in Canada.
Staying in the newly built Mediterranean suites at Sandals Grande Antigua, which were officially opened in October, the agents were wowed by the rooms, which had
four-poster, king-size beds, whirlpool baths and rain showers.
The itinerary included a tour of the resort and the island, as well as plenty of free time to lounge by the pool or the beach.
The agents selected to go on the trip were those who generated the highest net revenue of sales of Thomas Cook Signature product.
Thomas Cook ’s head of in-house distribution Michelle Harris said: “These agents are a hard-working and talented group of people who deserve to come to Antigua. They know the product really well and they’re very valuable to us. There’s also an educational element to the trip as it enhances their sales skills.”
Thomas Cook head of sales for central England, the south and London John Warr said: “The group of agents on this trip varied hugely – the youngest was 21 and the oldest was 61, and six of them are million-pound sellers.”
Sandals market development director Philip Dickinson said: “We decided to host this event because we wanted to show these agents what Sandals has to offer.”
Highs and lows
- The beautiful beach and pool area
- The new Mediterranean suites, equipped with rain showers and whirlpool baths
- High quality food and drink consistent across all restaurants
- The older hotel rooms in the Caribbean Village looked dated and motel-like
- The rain. Travelling in wet season meant there were daily downpours
- The resort shops are expensive
What the agents thought
“I have been on many incentive trips with Thomas Cook and they always pull out all the stops to make us feel special. These trips help us to do a better job as we can see what we’re selling to clients.
I’ve enjoyed the food at Sandals. It’s mainly been buffet but there is plenty of choice and the quality is good. Everyone has loved the champagne and smoked salmon on offer for breakfast.”
Joey Bushell, branch sales consultant, Canterbury
“The beach at Sandals is beautiful and the water is shallow, clear and warm. The swimming pool is huge and I love the swim-up bar. There’s a lot more to do in Antigua than I expected.
You can take a helicopter tour of Montserrat, which is a unique experience for clients and would make a good add-on. It’s also possible to arrange weddings at Nelson’s Dockyard, which would be really special.”
Lindsay Church, sales consultant, Cribbs Causeway Bristol branch
“The Mediterranean suites are fantastic. I love the marble bathrooms, the rain shower, the flat-screen TV and the fact that all rooms have an iron and a hairdryer.
The four-poster bed was my favourite thing about the hotel. I took a photograph on my phone and sent it to all my friends at work.”
Carol Murray, travel consultant, Romford branch
“The facilities at Sandals are great as there is a good choice of water sports on offer, such as water skiing, windsurfing and scuba diving – and it’s all included in the price.
It’s a big property but it doesn’t feel too large and there’s plenty of space around the pool for shades and sunbeds. It’s like a little piece of paradise.”
Laura Donoghue branch manager, Maidstone, Kent
“I’ve never been to Antigua before or stayed at a Sandals resort so visiting here is definitely going to help me to sell it. I really enjoyed the tour of the island, especially attractions such as Shirley Heights, which I would recommend to clients.
The rooms at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa were lovely: modern and tastefully decorated. Plus the sea, pool and restaurants were all within spitting distance of the rooms.”
Claire Dunne, sales consultant, Camberley
