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Mystery shopper: a family holiday to the Canary Islands

Location:Colchester, Essex

Wanted: A family of four would like a week in the Canary Islands in August next year. The kids areeight and 10, so they’d like a beachfront hotel with child-friendly facilities

Budget: £4,250

Thomson
98%
3 St Nicholas Passage

As soon as I entered an agent approached me and asked if I needed any help. He took me through a number of different options, was friendly, enthusiastic and very patient and seemed to show a real interest in my holiday plans. I was offered a week in Lanzarote at the Family Life Flamingo Beach for £4,126 with Thomson. There was plenty for the children to do in terms of clubs and activities. Transfers were included and I was offered insurance for £69. He gave me all the details and encouraged me to book. This was the most in-depth experience of the day. The agent was very friendly and went above and beyond to find the perfect holiday

Fred Olsen Travel
91%
29 Sir Isaac’s Walk

The shop was and tidy and the agent was very helpful, listening attentively to my requirements. The agent was also very patient with the computer system, which was very slow. I was offered an all-inclusive superior suite at the fivestar Sandos San Blas Nature Resort & Golf, Los Abrigos, Tenerife, for £4,236. The hotel ticked all of the boxes for what we would require as a family. The only downside was the computer system.

Colchester Travel
87%
39 Crouch Street

This was quite a short visit. The agent was very friendly and spoke to me when I entered, but I was not offered any quotes while in the shop. It was very clean and modern inside and the staff were dressed immaculately. The agent told me she would put together options and send them to me the next day. I was offered a week in Tenerife staying at the Sandos San Blas Nature Resort & Golf with Thomas Cook for £4,356


Winning agent: Gary Cook, travel advisor

“I’ve worked for Tui for 25 years all over the world as a rep and in resorts. I came back to the UK six years ago and started working as an agent. I love serving customers and I get excited with them. It’s all about making them happy.”


Verdict

The agent did a fantastic job and doesn’t need to change how he approaches the role. He was very helpful and chatty with everyone who came into the shop too.


Elite resorts caribbean

Top-scoring agent each month will win use of a car 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 the car from Essex or a central location

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