This week, Travel Weekly asked agents in and around Harrogate,Yorkshire, for their views on programmes to India.
Agents said their clients were primarily either young people looking to experience Goa and Kerala or older couples wanting exotic tours.
See how Somak, Manos, Hayes and Jarvis and Kuoni performed under the spotlight.
*****
Agents award stars for:
* Brochure design and ease of use
* Operator service
* Programme support
* Client feedback
* Product popularity
All agents remain anonymous and no additional information will be given out.
Top operator: HAYES AND JARVIS
Brochure: India
Description: 44-page brochure of packages and tours across India and Nepal. Includes beach holidays and all-inclusive options.
Reservations: Tel. 0181-741 0299; Istel HNJ# or Fastrak HNJ
Agents’ verdict: “An appealing brochure which is easy to follow.”
“Plenty of information, clear pricing and a pretty comprehensive selection.”
“Staff are very helpful and friendly and, although it is sometimes hard to get through, once you do, you can’t fault them.”
“Booking through the system is generally okay but sometimes the availability screens just freeze and you end up ringing anyway.”
“A good quality range which is quite upmarket but not overly expensive.”
“The product always looks more expensive than it actually is.”
“Tours are good value and we find they generate some excellent feedback.”
“Occasional invoice problems but usually this is reliable product and is fairly straightforward to book.”
Rating: *****
KUONI
Brochure: Kuoni Worldwide
Description: 20 pages within the 400-page worldwide programme dedicated to the Indian sub-continent including India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Includes Goa, beach holidays, tours and tailor-made packages.
Reservations: Tel. 01306 742000; Istel and Fastrak KUO
Agents’ verdict: “We always turn to Kuoni for long-haul holidaysThe India range is useful.”
“Getting through on the phone can be a problem and the viewdata system takes you through so many pages to get what you want that it is time consuming. The helpline is hopeless.”
“The tailor-made department is excellent and the product is flexible, but it is quite pricey.”
“Clients know the name and trust the company.”
Rating: ****
SOMAK TRAVEL
Brochure: India
Description: 60-page brochure of tours in north and south India using scheduled flights, and charter based stay-and-tour holidays in Goa and Kerala. Includes tailor-made options.
Reservations: Tel. 0181-423 3000; Istel SOM# or Fastrak SOM.
Agents’ verdict: “Clients do ask for this from time to time and those that know the company show great loyalty to it and regularly repeat book.”
“Quite a specialist company with a fair range which includes both old favourites and some more off-the-beaten-track product.”
“Staff really know the destination well – my only complaint is that tailor-made quotes take a long time coming through.”
Rating: ****
MANOS HOLIDAYS
Brochure: India, Sri Lanka
Description: 84-page brochure of charter holidays to Goa, Kerala and Sri Lanka, operating
November-April. Includes tours of north and south India and two-centre options.
Reservations: Tel. 0171-216 8000; Istel 83# or Fastrak MAX.
Agents’ verdict: “This is a brochure we rack and it is quite appealing and clearly set out.”
“It is not one that springs to mind, but we do use it occasionally for beach holidays in India – especially to Goa or Kerala, for which it offers well-priced charter packages.”
“We know the company well for its other products and never have any problems with reservations or admin, although brochure supplies are often low and slow coming through.”
Rating: ***