This week, Travel Weekly called on agents in the Tunbridge Wells, Kent area, to get their opinions on European coach tour programmes. Agents said their clients were fairly well-heeled and look for good-quality holidays. See how Cosmos, Wallace Arnold, Insight and Shearings 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: Wallace Arnold
Rating: *****
Brochure: Destination Europe
Description: 132-page brochure of fully-escorted coach tours in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia of up to 16 days duration. All holidays are half-board. Includes cruises, rail holidays and air packages.
Reservations: tel. 0113-231 0739; Istel 61# or Fastrak WAT.
Agents’ verdict: “A bit of a plain, old fashioned brochure but it does appeal to a lot of people and gets well requested.”
“Plenty of information and the way it is presented has improved a lot over recent years.”
“Booking is simple through the system, although we tend to ring for coach tours as we are not that familiar with them.”
“Staff are helpful and administration gives us no problem.”
“It is well-known with clients and generates great loyalty and many repeat bookings.”
“A mid-market range that covers all the most popular coach tour areas and sells mostly to the over 50s.”
Shearings Holidays
Rating: ****
Brochure: Europe and The Mediterranean
Description: 212-page brochure of coach tours in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland and Slovenia. Includes cruises, air and rail holidays and walking tours.
Reservations: tel. 01942 824824 or 01942 829800 (air holidays only); Istel STR# or FASTRAK STR
Agents’ verdict: “Plenty of information inside and clear prices”
“Quick and easy to book through they system or with reservation staff who are very knowledgeable”
“Clients ask for this by name and many are very loyal to the brand and repeat-book year and year”
Insight Holidays
Rating: ***
Brochure: European Escorted Journeys ’99
Description: 116-page brochure of escorted coach tours in Britain and Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Scandinavia, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Egypt. Includes cruises and budget-priced European tours.
Reservations: tel. 0870 5143433
Agents’ verdict: “Quite a stylish brochure with a clear, consistent layout inside.”
“Highlights, inclusions and itineraries are well explained.”
“Most coach tours are sold to the over-55s but this brochure seems to attract some younger travellers too and we sell a fair number to students for whom the tours can be a cost-effective way to explore a region.”
Cosmos Tourama
Rating: ***
Brochure: Europe and Beyond
Description: 172-page brochure featuring France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Russia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Madeira, Israel, Canada and America. Includes multi-destination tours of up to 23 days and optional add-ons.
Reservations: tel. 0161-480 5799; Istel Cosmos; Imminus Cosmos.
Agents’ verdict: “The look is a bit downmarket and doesn’t inspire our up-market clients.”
“Includes a wide choice of itineraries and some good extended tours but not presented in a very appealing way.”
“Brilliant for those on a tight budget or for those who want to see a lot and don’t mind lower grade accommodation.”