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Mystery Shopper 2015: Champions of the year

Our mystery shopper has been hard at work this year, putting agents across the country to the test. Karl Tomusk talks to the highest scorers about their favourite memories of 2015 and the year ahead.

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Mystery Shopper 2015
Mystery Shopper 2015

January

January

Cheryl McCormick

personal travel expert

Kuoni

94%

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

I actually got my Christmas present in advance – spending money for my Philippines trip – but I might ask for some nice makeup. Something very girly.

 

Highlight of 2015?

I just got back from the Kuoni highlights tour of China and then spent some time in the Philippines. I loved seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

Sara Cox. She makes me laugh.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

Brazil for the music, the culture and the colours. I want to see Rio and the Amazon.

February

February

Theresa Loveless

(former) retail manager

Thomson

90%

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

Visa approval for Australia. We are going through the process now and hopefully emigrating there in 2016.

 

What are you planning to do in Australia?

Some of my family live out there and my brother is opening a restaurant, so I’ll work with him. I want to get back into hospitality.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

Someone who can sing, like Adele!

 

Dream destination for 2016?

The South Pacific and Vietnam.

March

Jennifer Shannon

store manager

The Co-operative Travel

92%

 

Highlight of 2015?

Doing the Grand Canyon Skywalk. My husband and I also went to Las Vegas, but I’m not very good at gambling!

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

A Kindle. I’ve always loved reading books, but a Kindle is so much lighter and handy for travelling.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

George Clooney. He’s got the looks, charm and wit!

 

Dream destination for 2016?

I’m planning to go to Australia to see my sister. My two nephews are growing up, and I’ve been missing out on that. And my Kindle will be useful!

April

Deb Court

senior sales consultant

The Co-operative Travel

92%

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

Coldplay tickets for Wembley.

 

Highlight of 2015?

My daughter getting into university. She’s at Nottingham studying languages.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

I would invite all of Take That round, just for the singing.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

I want to visit Tasmania as my brother-in-law lives out there. I would love to tie it in with a round-the-world trip that includes New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji.

May

May

Janis Millar

luxury travel consultant

Barrhead Travel

96%

 

Highlight of 2015?

My daughter became pregnant this year, so I’m looking forward to having a granddaughter soon.

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

Some perfume, a handbag and jewellery – the usual things, really.

 

Which celebrity would you like to unwrap on Christmas Day?

Johnny Depp. I saw his new film Black Mass recently and it was fantastic.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

Australia. My family lives there and I’ve never been. I’d like to go to Sydney and Brisbane. They look absolutely beautiful.

June

June

Sheena Umpleby

team leader

Round the World Experts

98%

 

Highlight of 2015?

A sailing trip around Cuba. That was a pretty good holiday. I also went skiing for the first time.

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

I’ve got my eyes on a nice winter coat, and I’m going skiing again, so I’ll be treating myself to something for that.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

A chinwag with Kylie Minogue would be great. I’m a big fan of hers.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

South America – I want to see Machu Picchu.

July

Hannah Reeve

travel advisor

Thomson

94%

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

I’m just hoping for a nice surprise!

 

Highlight of 2015?

I went on holiday to the Dominican Republic with my boyfriend and it was even better than I expected. It was my first visit to the Caribbean.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

Probably Adele. She’s hilarious and would be so much fun to have at dinner. And she’s got a great voice too.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

I’d really like to go to Las Vegas. I’m trying to get all my friends together for a girly weekend out there.

August

August

Joanne Jamieson

(former) travel advisor

Thomson

92%

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

I haven’t got one. I have a daughter, and when you have children you stop thinking about what you want.

 

What are your Christmas traditions?

I love going to midnight mass on Christmas Eve. I go to a beautiful small church and we sing carols.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

Probably Kim Kardashian.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

The Far East and Australia. I haven’t been anywhere in Asia yet.

September

Chantelle Hudd

travel advisor

Thomson

92%

 

Highlight of 2015?

Learning everything I know about selling. I started in the industry in December 2014, which was a really busy time, and I learned so many new techniques.

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

After a long year, spa vouchers to get my nails done and for facials to treat myself.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

Definitely Michael Jackson. Or if they have to be alive then comedian and TV presenter Jason Manford. He’s really funny – my favourite comedian.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

Mexico. I would love to go to Coco Bongo. It looks incredible!

November

November

Jodie Hobbs

travel advisor

Thomson

92%

 

Highlight of 2015?

This year marked my 10th anniversary at Thomson.

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

I’d take anything! A pair of earrings or perhaps some boots. I’m easy.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

Justin Bieber, but he’d be in the background, singing. I just like his music after his newest album, and we have three kids so he’s always playing in the house.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

I’d love to go back to Florida to do Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, and maybe the Caribbean.

December

December

Nicky Banin

personal travel expert

Kuoni

92%

 

What’s on your Christmas list?

Maybe a new suitcase.

 

Highlight of 2015?

My New Zealand trip – we did helicopter and jet boating trips, and had lots of outdoorsy adventures.

 

Which celebrity would you like to invite to Christmas dinner?

The Dalai Lama. He’s not really a celebrity, but I’m very interested in his take on life.

 

Dream destination for 2016?

South America. I’ve travelled loads but not there. I want to go to Peru and see Machu Picchu.

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