Location: Westminster, London
Shopping for: A road trip to Nashville and Memphis for a music-loving couple
The agencies
STA Travel
52 Grosvenor Gardens, Westminster, London
Score: 55%
I waited for 20 minutes before an agent became free. I explained what I wanted and asked if she could make any tips on how I should carry out the trip.
She said it was not her job to do this, and asked what I was looking for specifically. I told her and she said she could advise me about the flights but not about what to do in the US.
I told her where I wanted to fly and that during my holiday I wanted to drive from place to place, so I would need a car. She said this might be too much driving and suggested an unlimited rail card.
She was thorough and advised me the final cost would be £1,300, and if I wished to book I had four days to confirm. Although she seemed to warm to the task later, the agent’s inital manner and body language was off-putting.
Bravo Travel
6 Lower Grosvenor Place, Westminster, London
Score: 72%
I was acknowledged by all of the staff when I entered the agency: two of them smiled and the other greeted me and asked me to take a seat.
She asked what she could help me with, and when I told her the scenario, she started asking open questions to get a better idea of my needs. She started searching, asking me questions along the way, and advising me if she found something cheaper and of better value.
In the end, she printed out the possible prices for the trip and stapled a business card to the sheet. She asked me to call her if I intended to go ahead with the booking. She also offered me car hire.
I received good customer service from the agent and would recommend the store.
Trafalgar Travel
5 Bressenden Place, Westminster, London
Score: 76%
When I entered there was an assistant speaking to a customer, but she looked up, smiled and greeted me immediately.
She apologised to the other client who was telling the agent about her trip abroad. She asked the other customer if she could wait while
she dealt with my query.
When I told her what I was looking for she advised me that Trafalgar Travel specialised in road trips, however, I would have to book and arrange my flights myself.
She picked out the Contiki brochure for America, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. She asked me to have a read through the options and the routes that they had pre-planned at a fixed cost. She asked me to contact her if I was interested in any of them.
She gave me her business card. I would recommend this store.
Winning agency
Flight Centre
5 Artillery Row, Westminster, London
Score: 85%
The store’s exterior was clean and welcoming. Inside, all brochures were neat and up to date.
I was immediately acknowledged by both assistants; an agent was on the phone and another greeted me and offered assistance. I advised her on the scenario. She told me she went on a road trip to the west coast of the US. She asked me questions on my preferences and time frame.
She gave me three brochures and told me to look through them to get an idea of what was on offer. She stated that she would work out the details and call or e-mail me to arrange everything.
She gave me her business card. She reassured me she would keep me updated and make sure they suited my requirements.
This week’s prize: Dian Bay, Antigua
Congratulations, Flight Centre, Westminster. One of your agents will be staying at Dian Bay in Antigua courtesy of Elite Island Resorts.
This adults-only hotel is a romantic boutique hideaway. It offers a low-key ambience. Accommodation is in 50 suites, and guests can enjoy water sports off the beach or unwind in the hotel spa.
Every week for the next year the travel consultant who gets the highest Mystery Shopper score will win a seven-night stay for two people at an Elite Island Resorts property. Flights are not included.
The agent who scores the highest mark each quarter will receive a bonus prize. There will also be a grand prize for the agent declared the overall winner in June 2008.
Tennessee road trip sales tips
Tip 1: Hiring a car is the best way to tour Tennessee. Virgin Holidays offers a flydrive ‘In the footsteps of the King’ tour, during which you can visit the Elvis highlights.
Tip 2: The Tennessee tourist office recommends taking a trip to Elvis’s birthplace, Tupelo, 100 miles east of Memphis. For a great night out head to the blues clubs, including the renowned BB King’s, which can be found on Beale Street in downtown Memphis.
Tip 3: Music is the theme of most Nashville and Memphis tours. Operators offering tours include American and Worldwide Travel, Virgin Holidays, Cosmos, Jetsave and Travel 4.
Tip 4: There are no direct flights from the UK to Nashville or Memphis. Visitors usually fly to Memphis via Newark. It should be possible to take in the major sights of Nashville and Memphis in two weeks.
Tip 5: While Memphis is famed for blues and rock ‘n’ roll, Nashville is known for country music. Visitors should take a trip to Studio B in Nashville, where Elvis recorded most of his music. Groups can make their own recording here.
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