Travel Weekly visited agents in and around Ashford, Kent to get their views on programmes to the Far East and Asia. All reported satisfaction with the operators selected and stressed the importance of being able to package good tailor-made itineraries. See how Premier Holidays, Jetabout, Gold Medal Travel and Somak Holidays rated.
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: Premier Holidays
Brochure: Asia and the Indian Ocean.
Description: 164-page brochure of packaged and tailor-made holidays to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines,Mauritius, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Dubai.
Reservations: tel: 01223 516677; tailor-made 01223 516373.
Agents’ verdict: “A very eye-catching brochure with all the included destinations clearly detailed on the front cover.”
“The operator doesn’t have a computer reservations system but there is a good fax-back quotes system and staff are very helpful.”
“Some clients know the name and those who go report back favourably. Generates a good level of repeat bookings.”
“Administration, brochure supplies and commission levels are good. The company is very agent friendly.”
“A comprehensive range with lots of destinations and accommodation types and plenty of flexibility.”
Rating: *****
Somak Holidays
Brochure: Far East.
Description: 36-page brochure of packaged and tailor-made holidays to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong and China.
Reservations: tel: 0181-423 3000; Istel and Fastrak SOM#
Agents’ verdict: “Very nice, classy brochure which appeals to our upmarket clients.”
“The brochure is laid out nicely, with plenty of detail. Staff are quite knowledgeable and we don’t usually have any problems.”
“Clients know the name although unfortunately many know it from the operator’s Teletext promotions. When we ring to book at Teletext prices Somak will never honour that price to agents.”
“Administration is brilliant and brochure supplies are good.”
Rating: ****
Jetabout
Brochure: Far East.
Description: 36-page brochure of tailor-made bolt-together modules for holidays to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Bali, Hong Kong and China.
Reservations: tel: 0181-741 3111.
Agents’ verdict: “A nice, smart brochure but not one we use a great deal.”
“Well organised and very useful for tailor-made bookings when you want to mix and match different components.”
“Invoicing can be slow.”
“Staff are helpful and very good for tailor-made and group bookings, although we have had a couple of misquotes which caused real hassle.”
“Clients don’t know the name but like it when you tell them it is part of Qantas – that gives them confidence in the name.”
Rating: ***
Gold Medal Travel
Brochure: Oriental Magic.
Description: 44-page brochure of packages to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Dubai.
Reservations: tel: 09904 21888.
Agents’ verdict: “Definitely our favourite company for flight-only and accommodation-only bookings because the computer system is so simple to use and allows you to confirm bookings on screen really quickly. Unfortunately you can’t do this with packages.”
“Clients very rarely ask for this company by name but we do recommend it.”
“Useful for tailor-made bookings although quotes for long itineraries can be slow coming through.”
Rating: ***