Location: Warrington, Cheshire
Wanted: A couple would like to stay in Sorrento for up to 10 days in June and want to visit Pompeii, Vesuvius and Naples. They want four-star accommodation and flights from Leeds.
Budget: £2,000
Co-operative Travel
12-14 Old Market Place
88%
The inside and outside were very clean and the agent acknowledged me when I entered, giving me her name and contact details. I was offered a 10-night stay at the Hotel Villa Maria for £1,501 or the Grand Hotel Flora for £2,014 flying from Leeds Bradford with Monarch on June 2. I was given a printout with 13 excursion options and prices including a day in Pompeii and visiting Vesuvius. The agent was very knowledgeable about the facilities and locations of the hotels and was enthusiastic about my desire to explore the area. I was offered the option to buy insurance and she said there was the opportunity to upgrade if I was willing to pay slightly more.
Hays Travel
1 Market Gate
55%
I was acknowledged as soon as I entered and was offered a seat. The agent was helpful, but did not provide a full quote and said this could be done when I had decided and returned with my partner. I was given four brochures. The agent said I would be better travelling in May as many holidays in June were over my budget. The agent asked about insurance and told me about excursions. I would have preferred to have had written details of the suggestions.
Thomson
45 The Mall
24%
The shop was a little dark due to the posters in the windows, but it was tidy.
I was not acknowledged when I entered and two members of staff were at the back of the shop looking at a mobile phone and laughing. When I was finally approached and mentioned Sorrento the agent asked a colleague for a popular hotel and handed me a brochure. I was not given a quote and I was very disappointed in the customer service.
Winning agent
Lisa Rowland, part-time travel advisor
“I have worked at this store for 16 years and am absolutely gobsmacked at winning. I always aim to give customers the best experience and advice.”
Verdict
The winning agent provided a detailed quote while the others lacked the same level of customer service.
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