Location:Macclesfield, Cheshire
Wanted: A couple want to spend five to seven nights in Athens at the end of September or October, avoiding any school holidays.
Budget: £1,200
Co-operative Travel
48, Mill Street
96%
The shop window was eye-catching and inviting. Once inside I was acknowledged straight away and a helpful, fun and enthusiastic agent assisted me. We built up a good rapport and I felt confident this agent would offer me a suitable recommendation. I was asked lots of questions and the agent had good, general knowledge about the area. I was given two quotes, both through Jetset. The first was for £1,133 to stay at the Best Western Candia Hotel with flights from Manchester. The second was for £1,003 staying at the Marina Hotel.I would have liked to have beengiven a brochure to take away but I would have booked with this agent for her excellent customer service.
Thomas Cook
28 Mill Street
85%
A friendly agent welcomed me and showed enthusiasm about my trip. I was only given one quote – £1,028 for seven nights at The Art Hotel with Flexible Trips – and would have liked a comparison against another hotel. The agent seemed to have limited knowledge about the location but did research excursions online. I was encouraged to book that day. I would recommend this agency.
Thomson
4-6 Mill Street
50%
First impressions weren’t great. I was immediately told there was no one to help me. I waited a few minutes before being told the computers had crashed. I was told someone would follow up by email. I received a quote for £864 for five nights at the Aristoteles Hotel with flights from easyJet. I would have liked the agent to have shown more eagerness and to have been less dismissive while I was in the shop.
Winning agent – Carla Lillie, assistant manager
I have worked for Co-operative Travel, now Thomas Cook Co-operative Travel for 18 years. I love travelling and sharing my experiences with my customers and colleagues. It’s important to me to go the extra mile to exceed my customer’s expectations every time.
Verdict
The winning agent was fun to talk to and seemed passionate about finding the right holiday.
Top-scoring agent each month will win use of a Mercedes SLK 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 from Essex or a central location.