Homeworkers
Wanted: A couple would like to visit Mexico for 10 days or two weeks in May. They would like to see some sights, relax and maybe enjoy spa facilities
Budget: £4,000
Not Just Travel
yourperfecttravel.co.uk
82%
The website was well designed and easy to use and my call was answered promptly. The agent displayed strong knowledge about Mexico. Her first suggestion was for a nine-night stay at the Grand Bahia Principle Tulum on an all-inclusive basis, flying with Thomas Cook from Gatwick for a total of £2,400. The second recommendation was for a B&B stay at the Playa del Carmen hotel, with the same flights for £1,997. I was also given a higher budget option of a nine-night stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Rivier Maya on a premium all-inclusive basis, for £3,799. I thought these were strong recommendations, with the more expensive Hard Rock Hotel making the most of my budget.
Co-operative Travel
co-operativetravel.co.uk/personal-travel-advisors
78%
I had to wait for a call back but when I received it the agent displayed good destination knowledge. I was offered 14 nights with Thomas Cook at the Grand Bahia Principe in Tulum on an all-inclusive basis for either £2,357 in a double room or £2,633 in a junior suite, including flights from Gatwick. This was the only property suggested but the agent highlighted activities such as visiting Chichen Itza or working with a sea turtle conservation programme.
Hays Travel
haystravel.co.uk
77%
The agent had good knowledge about the destination and followed up our phone call with a detailed email. I was offered two 14-night suggestions, both quite under my budget and flying with Cook from Gatwick to Cancun: Grand Bahia Principe Tulum, for £2,398, and Grand Sirenis Resort & Spa, all-inclusive in a junior suite, for £2,898. The friendly agent followed up with fuller details by email but lacked enthusiasm and didn’t try to maximise my budget.
Winning agent
Norma Fenwick, travel consultant
“I am over the moon to have won Mystery Shopper. I love my job and love speaking to people after they go on holiday too, to learn even more about each destination and resort.”
Verdict
All the agents offered good options and trip information but only the winner made the most of the budget provided.
Top-scoring agent each month will win use of a car for 10 days.
The winning agent must be at least 25, for insurance reasons. Winners under 25 will win a week’s all-inclusive holiday at an Elite Islands Resorts property. The prize is non-transferable and the car must be driven only by the winning agent. The winner must not have any serious driving convictions. Elite Island Resorts will endeavour to supply the car to the agency but reserves the right to request the winning agent to collect and return the car from Essex or a central location