Mystery shopper: West Yorkshire, UK park resort break

Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire Wanted: Budget: £1,000

Hays Travel 52 Kirkgate 97% I was acknowledged straight away by a warm and genuine agent and the shop was immaculate. She took her time to find out what I wanted, how old the children were and what activities we were interested in. The agent suggested seven nights' at Parkdean's Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Mid Glamorgan staying in a three-bed caravan from August 7. It was £849 for a Nottage caravan or £899 for a Llandaff caravan. She was very patient and went through the caravan standards and what activities were on offer for my children. She took my contact details and offered a great holiday. She had fantastic knowledge of what was available to suit my needs.

Thomas Cook 54 Kirkgate 63% The store was very presentable outside and the staff looked smart. I was acknowledged almost immediately. There was only one qualified agent in the store. I saw a trainee agent who was enthusiastic, but was limited in their knowledge and experience. The trainee offered me the Hoseasons and SuperBreak UK breaks brochures. I would have liked a more qualified staff member to help them to address my enquiry.

Wallace Arnold Travel 20 Ivegate 40% The agent was pleasant and friendly and approached me a few minutes after I entered the store, but the interaction was brief. The agent recommended Center Parcs and Haven Holidays, but no price or date was given. They said they couldn't book Center Parcs because they did not sell through agents. My contact details were not requested. I was given a National Holidays Enjoy Britain brochure to take away.

 

Sarah Lane, travel consultant

 

"I always try to be positive and friendly and love suggesting new holiday options the customer may not have considered before."

Verdict

One agent matched the request perfectly while the two other agents were let down either by lack of experience or misdirection.

Correction: In the March 9 edition of Mystery Shopper we stated Norma Fenwick worked for Your Holiday Booking. This is incorrect. Norma runs Your Perfect Travel, which is part of Not Just Travel.

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