Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Virgin Holidays
This week we went undercover in Ballymena, County Antrim booking a week’s getaway in Tobago for two.
The mystery shopper visited two travel agencies in Ballymena, County Antrim and requested a one-week holiday to Tobago for two people in late May/June, with a budget of £4,000.
They then made two Google.co.uk searches using the term ‘luxury holiday Tobago’.
The winner
Virgin Holidays
Score 92%
Mystery Shopper said: The website was near the top of the search results, and stood out as a recognisable brand. It was easy to navigate and the colours were bright. Clickable links provided additional information about each aspect of the trip, and it was clear where there were opportunities to upgrade the experience. I could filter the search results by TripAdvisor rating, which was handy. A seven-day holiday at Coco Reef Resort & Spa met my needs and came in under budget at £3,238. The website clearly detailed the hotel’s facilities and the photographs were enticing. I felt confident booking online, however a phone number was obvious for additional help. The final price included a £53 online discount with no clear expiry date.
How to sell Tobago
- The slightly smaller sister island of Trinidad, Tobago is bursting at the seams with natural wonders, from the volcanic beaches inhabited by Hawksbill turtles to the rejuvenating “powers” of Nylon Pool lagoon.
- Tobago has a tropical climate and is sunny all year round. The average temperature is 29°C so it is perfect for families.
- Dry season in Tobago is between December and May, and the wet season between June and November. But don’t be put off by the rain. The rain generally falls in short sharp bursts so it won’t spoil your holiday.
- Fly to Tobago from Gatwick via St Lucia with Virgin Atlantic. The indirect flight takes 10 hours 45 minutes.
- Currency is the Trinidad dollar
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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