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Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Sara Richards, Eastgate Travel

This week our secret shopper was in Llanelli requesting a couple’s five-star anniversary getaway to Mauritius.

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The mystery shopper visited two travel agencies in Llanelli and requested a 10-day four or five-star break to Mauritius for a couple celebrating their anniversary, travelling in May 2017 with a budget of £6,000.

 

They then made two Google.co.uk searches using the term ‘four or five-star Mauritius holiday’.

The winner

The winner

Eastgate Travel

18 Park Street

 

Score: 96%

 

Mystery Shopper said: The store was very tidy and clean, and it had an attractive display of offers in the window. A consultant greeted me promptly as I browsed the brochures, and made me feel welcome. After asking what I wanted, they selected appropriate brochures from the display and a back room. The consultant asked various questions to understand my requirements, including budget. They conducted a thorough search, made recommendations and spoke directly to travel companies to determine prices and availability. The consultant weighed up alternatives to find a product that suited my needs. They found a package with Beachcomber Tours departing from London, staying at Trou Aux Biches, for £4,811. The consultant followed up with an email, which included an exclusive free lunch offer that would expire the next day. The agency gave me a professional, personal service and I would recommend them to friends and family.

Meet the consultant

Meet the consultant

Sara Richards

Travel consultant

Eastgate Travel

 

How long in travel?
14 years. I’ve been at Eastgate Travel since January.


How often do you sell Indian Ocean?
About four times a year.


Where is most popular?
The Maldives does especially well for those with a bigger budget.


What’s selling well right now?
We sell a lot of cruise, but tailor-made trips to Australia are particularly popular this year.


Travel highlight?
Booking an around-the-world honeymoon for a couple, which I packaged together for them.


Where’s on your wish list?
I’d love to go to New York at Christmas time.


React Surveys explainer / disclaimer

TTG has teamed up with React Surveys to simulate a realistic booking process each week – that means a mystery shopper looking for the best deal from agents and operators on the high street, online, on TV or in newspapers. The Mystery Shopper research is carried out on behalf of TTG by React Surveys,and no further details or information can be disclosed. Researchers take into consideration first impression, sales process, product and budget match and extras offered before giving an unbiased opinion of which channel/company they would have booked with on that occasion. We do not claim that the winner is the best in an area or specialist sector, as we may report on competing travel firms in the future. Please note that the aim of Mystery Shopper is not to criticise individual agents or companies, but to promote good sales technique for the benefit of all in the travel trade.

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