This week Mystery Shopper was looking for a two-week holiday to Florida next summer for a family of four. They wanted to visit the theme parks, hire a car and explore. They wanted to stay within driving distance of the parks, but not in Orlando, and in self-catering accommodation.
The budget was £5,000, with flights from Manchester. Overall, there was a strong set of results, but The Co-operative Travel agents need to brush up on their greetings.
- The target: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
- Wanted: A two-week family summer holiday to Florida
The Co-operative Travel
The Co-operative TravelWestgate Department Store, 1-3 Church Terrace
Score: 60%
This shop was untidy, with brochures on the floor and a bag of rubbish in a corner.
All the agents were busy, although one asked me to wait a minute. When another consultant became free she asked if she could help, but neither offered a greeting.
The first consultant gave me details for Orlando, but I said I had heard that Tampa was nice.
She seemed unsure what company to try and it took almost an hour to call numerous operators.
She eventually quoted £5,285 for two weeks at Sunset Vistas Beachfront Suites in St Petersburg. This was for a two-bedroom, self-catering suite with Virgin Holidays, with flights from Gatwick.
It was over budget, not from my preferred airport, and the promise of dividend points meant little to me.
Thomas Cook
Thomas CookUnit 2, 36-37 Market Place
Score: 86%
The agent kicked off the consultation by asking about quotes I had received from rival agents. Other than identifying my needs, no interest was shown in them. She didn’t seem that friendly, and her initial greeting was a bit robotic.
The consultant phoned operators, and came back with £4,591 for Gatwick flights to Tampa, staying at holiday homes in Hudson or New Port Richey, with Gold Medal Flightsavers. The quote did not include car hire, and was not from my preferred airport.
Despite the downsides of the consultation, the agent found the most suitable accommodation out of all the agencies I visited. The rental villas were a great idea and were within budget. It’s a shame the agent didn’t try harder to build up a rapport and let her personality come through.
Deeping Travel
Deeping Travel1 High Street, March
Score: 90%
The consultant welcomed me and asked open questions to find out what I wanted. She suggested a Funway package, with car rental, and flights from Gatwick, staying at the TradeWinds Sandpiper Hotel on St Petersburg Beach.
The consultant said she might be able to get a discount and asked whether I would be happy if she sent this via email after speaking to her manager. The final price came in at £4,550, which included free child places.
The hotel was a good choice and within budget, although it was not fully self-catering. I noticed its sister hotel, TradeWinds Island Grand, had full kitchen facilities and, therefore, might have been a better match.
Nevertheless, the attitude and attentiveness of this consultant was impressive.
Thomson
Thomson32 Market Place
Score: 97%
This branch had a good window display, and the agents were waiting for customers as there was no one in the shop.
The consultant greeted me with a smile. After explaining my request, she researched what was on offer on her computer and rang some operators.
She quoted £4,999 for a package with Jetsave Florida, which included flights from Manchester to Orlando, self-catering accommodation at the Barefoot Beach Resort at Indian Shores, and car hire.
The consultant met my needs regarding dates, type of holiday, budget, and my request for Manchester flights.
She took my contact details for a follow-up call, and suggested I buy theme-park tickets in advance. I wasn’t under pressure to make a decision.
The agent took an interest in me and my holiday plans, and I would call back again.
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Top 5 tips
- Advise clients who are going to the theme parks to visit over a few days, particularly if they have young children. A whole day can be exhausting, particularly if queues are long. Families could do the morning at a park, the afternoon by the pool, and return for the evening’s entertainment.
- Twin-centres are a great option. On the Gulf coast, the St Petersburg/Clear- water area has wonderful beaches, while on the Atlantic coast, suggest Cocoa or Daytona beaches.
- Suggest the Florida Keys for a different experience. The Keys, a group of coral islands, are about six hours’ drive from Orlando, and offer a laid-back lifestyle. Send visitors to Key West for culture. Families can enjoy nature or eco-orientated activities, such as dolphin spotting and fishing.
- Self-catering is popular, with most operators offering villas or condos, which give families a home-from-home experience.
- For more information on Florida, visit Gazetteers.com.
Discuss it
- Community editor Emily Ashwell edits Mystery Shopper – get the inside track on her blog