Travel Weekly visited agents in and around Croydon for their views on specialist programmes to Israel. Agents reported that requests for Israel were rare so they were largely unfamiliar with the product and needed good operator support to secure their bookings. See how Longwood Holidays, Superstar Holidays, Peltours and Pullman Holidays 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.
Top Operator: Pullman Holidays
Brochure: Israel.
Description: 32-page brochure of flight only and packaged holidays.
Includes tours and flydrive.
Reservations: 020-7630 5111; Istel PUL#
Agents’ verdict: “A good looking brochure which is informative and easy to use.”
“A middle-market range with a good selection of seat-only deals.”
“Clients don’t ask for this by name but we have never had a complaint from those who go with them.”
“The bulk of our business to Israel is seat only and we find Pullman is best for this type of product.”
“We don’t sell many holidays to Israel so we need operator staff to help us through a booking – Pullman’s do.”
“A nice looking brochure with a good selection of seat-only deals.”
“We have never had a complaint from anyone on a Pullman holiday.”
Rating: *****
Superstar Holidays
Brochure: Israel.
Description: 32-page brochure of packaged holidays that can be adapted to suit tailor-made itineraries, plus tours, city breaks and flydrive holidays. Superstar also offers a dedicated Eilat brochure.
Reservations: 020-7957 4300.
Agents’ verdict: “A straight forward brochure with some useful maps.”
“Quite easy to price up, good clear, informative copy.”
“There’s no problem getting through to reservations but staff can be off-hand and don’t seem to care much about your enquiry.”
“Clients tend to know what they want for Israel and the brochure seems to cover most of the popular choices.”
Rating: ****
Peltours
Brochure: Israel, Eilat, Jordon, and Egypt.
Description: 100-page brochure of packaged holidays with tailor-made options. Includes tours, Nile cruising, kibbutz flydrive holidays, mini breaks and flight only to Israel.
Reservations: 020-8343 0590.
Agents’ verdict: “Not a bad-looking brochure and one we use from time to time.”
“Clients that know Israel have heard of the name and those that travel with them are happy with the product.”
“Quite hard to price up from the brochure and could do with more information about the destinations featured.”
“A fair brochure but tailor-made options are often not very clear.”
Rating: ***
Longwood Holidays
Brochure: Discover Israel.
Description: 36-page brochure of packaged holidays with tailor-made options. Includes tours, weekend breaks, kibbutz flydrive and multi-centre. Also offers Eilat, The Red Sea Riviera brochure.
Reservations: 020-8551 4494; Istel L#
Agents’ verdict: “The brochure looks fine and is fairly straight-forward to follow.”
“We generally phone up to confirm prices or book and it is easy to get through.”
“Staff are helpful and very friendly and always seem to know their product.”
“Clients very rarely ask for this brochure by name but those who travel with them seem happy enough.”
Rating: ***