Selling tips

Barcelo Hotel Group's new multi-brand strategy

The Barcelo Hotel Group has a new multi-brand strategy which sales manager UK and Ireland, Debbie Walker, likens to a dessert. TTG gets a taste for the products

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Louisa Humphreys, Thomson

This week our secret shopper was in Solihull, West Midlands booking an all-inclusive Mexico trip for two

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Virginholidays.co.uk

This week our secret shopper was in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales to book a family getaway to Dubai

Meet the Rep: Trafalgar's Chris Price

Space-hopping Chris Price, UK sales manager for Trafalgar and CostSaver, talks fizzy drinks, wearing shorts, and the eclectic contents of his car

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Jeni Conetta, STA Travel

This week our secret shopper was in Canterbury booking flights for a single traveller to Australasia. The seller covered all the bases with a perfect score

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Roberta Montrimaite, Thomas Cook

This week our secret shopper was in Stratford-upon-Avon to book a week for two in the Costa del Sol

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Marissa King-Harris, Thomas Cook

This week our secret shopper was in Barnstaple, booking a honeymoon for a couple in their thirties to Sri Lanka

Start-up tips: Use testimonials – and look after yourself well

Client testimonials can be as effective as free bars of chocolate, delegates at the Travel Counsellors Conference heard

Leader: Good habits are sometimes hard to keep

Mr and Mrs Jacks are currently being uncharacteristically thoughtful and charming towards one another

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: planetcruise.co.uk

This week our secret shopper was in Cambridgeshire’s St Neots to book a fortnight’s cruise in the western Mediterranean

Immerse yourself in Kuoni's exotic Bromley store

After Kuoni opened a new retail store in Bromley this summer, TTG popped in for a chat to see how they were settling in

WTM London sees record-breaking attendance figures

Boss Simon Press said the figures were "testament" to the event’s new three-day format

Global’s LGBT staff training

The consortium has launched a new toolkit to help members enhance their service to LGBT clients

Straight to the sauce: Top holidays that help clients cook up a storm

Eating well on holiday isn’t always enough – clients want to learn how to cook well too. TTG finds five holidays that send clients home with new kitchen skills

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Sue Ballard, Thomson

This week our secret shopper was in Truro to book a five-night Singapore getaway for two

TTG’s Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders share tips for success

Speaking at WTM, three members of this year’s 30 Under 30 programme offered advice to young people looking to begin or advance their careers within the travel industry

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Titan Travel

This week our secret shopper was in West Sussex to book an escorted tour of India’s major hostspots

Send your clients sailing on private yacht charters

A fully crewed yacht charter is an exciting alternative to a luxury villa. Sebastian Hirst, head of sales for sailing specialist The Moorings, describes how to sell the product

Grab a bite of the Sandwich Islands

Representatives from Hawaii share latest news with Andrew Doherty

Christmas markets: Brussels v Bruges

Choose one Belgian city or the other, or combine both in the same trip. Katherine Lawrey – with the help of SuperBreak – uncovers some unexpected and contrasting festive experiences

Mystery Shopper's seller of the week: Sue Brown, Thomas Cook

This week our secret shopper was in Lisburn, Northern Ireland to book a European Christmas market mini-break

Set your clients' sights on South America

Specialist operator Latin Routes may only be four years old, but the team certainly has a wealth of information to share. TTG joins agents on the Thames for a day of product training, wine tasting and Argentinian cuisine

Kazakhstan: A stopover destination full of surprises

Kazakhstan, served by Air Astana, is an interesting Central Asian stopover for clients heading to the likes of Beijing, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok and Hong Kong

Don't forget to add the fun experiences

Dubai Parks and Resorts is poised for its soft launch at the end of this month. Abigail Healy asks two attraction ticket providers for their top tips on selling the parks and tickets in general