Travel Weekly visited agents in and around Huddersfield to get their views on programmes to Portugal. Agents reported their clients were primarily influenced by price although repeat visitors did look for more interesting packages and destinations off-the-beaten track. See how First Choice, Magic of Portugal, Style Holidays and Caravela performed under the spotlight.
Compiled by Julie Baxter
*****
Agents award stars for:
* Brochure design and ease of use
* Operator service and support
* Product range and quality
* Client feedback
* Product popularity
All agents remain anonymous and no additional information will be given out.
Style Holidays
Rating: ****
Brochure: Portugal.
Description: 180-page brochure of packaged holidays to the Algarve and Madeira. Includes golf, river cruising, pre-bookable excursions, walking tours, flydrive and Madeira touring.
Reservations: 020-8568 1999 or 0161-839 6111; Fastrak STY or Istel STYL#
Agents’ verdict: “A better looking brochure for the year 2000 – quite attractive and less boring than in previous years.”
“Inside it is informative but prices are not on the same page as the product details there is a lot of flipping around.”
“Smooth to book through the system which is easy to use.”
“Generally staff are quite helpful, although some have been a little bit rude.”
The Magic Travel Group
Rating: ***
Brochure: Magic of Portugal.
Description: 84-page brochure of packaged and tailor-made holidays across Portugal including Madeira, the Algarve and Lisbon coast. Includes pousadas, coach tours, city breaks, flydrive and manor houses.
Reservations: 020-8741 1181.
Agents’ verdict: “A nice-looking brochure with a specialist in depth feel to it which clients like.”
“Very informative about the destinations and one that clients often look at for details – even if they book with someone cheaper.”
“Clients know the Magic of Italy range and value the company’s reputation. Feedback is good, but it doesn’t sell as well as the mass-market operators.”
First Choice Top operator:
Rating *****
Brochure: Portugal and Madeira.
Description: 148-page brochure of packaged holidays in northern Portugal, the Algarve and Madeira. Includes twin-centre and activity holidays, river cruising, flydrive and Madeira touring.
Reservations: tel. 0870 900 2120; Istel and Fastrak 1#
Agents’ verdict: “Not an inspiring cover, but appealing enough to be picked up regularly by clients.”
“Plenty of information inside – with good detail on each resort’s facilities that can help you match clients to the most appropriate destination.”
“Simple and straightforward to book through the system, which gives options quickly and efficiently.”
“Staff are not always terribly clued up on product but are willing and helpful – although it can be ridiculously difficult to get through to them.”
“Easy product to understand and book and generates good feedback.”
Caravela – TAP Air Portugal
Rating: **
Brochure: Portugal.
Description: 80-page brochure of packaged and tailor-made holidays across Portugal including the Algarve, Lisbon coast, northern Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
Reservations: 020-7630 9223.
Agents’ verdict: “The cover is attractive, but the picture doesn’t shout Portugal to me.”
“The brochure has a glossy, good quality feel but inside a lot of the photos lose their impact because they are quite small.”
“Plenty of product across Portugal but not one we use much as it’s more of a specialist range than our mostly mass-market clients require.”
“This is a brochure we have on file but not one we rack or often sell.”