WANTED: A HOLIDAY TO NEW ZEALAND

Mystery Shopper and their partner are keen to spend 12 days in New Zealand and have a particular interest in adventure activities. They are keen to visit Queenstown and try sky diving, a glacier hike and bungee jumping, along with jet boating and white water rafting. They wish to travel alone, would be happy to rent a car and wish to stay in three-star accommodation. The budget is $6500 in total.

FIRST PLACE: 89% Kristie Langford, Escape Travel, Temple Terrace, Palmerstone, NT

Entering, I was welcomed by Kristie who then invited me to take a seat at her desk. I requested information about a holiday to New Zealand. After asking a series of questions, Kristie retrieved four brochures for me to look at. Brochures included: The New Zealand Book 2011-2012 by anzcro Australia, New Zealand Snowboard and Ski 2012 by Ski Express Australia, and New Zealand Winter Magic 2012 Self Drive and Ski by anzcro. What followed was a comprehensive discussion about travel and tour options in New Zealand with Kristie engaging me in specific conversation and recommendations for itinerary inclusions. After providing me with a quote for return flights from Darwin to Queenstown, Kristie suggested staying at the Mercure Queenstown Resort and an eleven day car hire, with snow chains. Amongst the many activities suggested were Kawarua River Rafting, Tandem Skydive and a NZ SuperPass along with ski and clothing hire. Kristie invited me to email through any changes I would like and commented that if they hadn't heard from me in a couple of days that she would give me call to talk about my plans. I exited the store very excited that the itinerary had come roughly within my stated budget although I noticed some activities were costed for just 1 person. As promised, Kristie gave me a call a few days later to see if I wanted to make any changes and if I wanted to go ahead with the trip. I found Kristie to be exceptionally engaging, friendly and communicated in a professional manner.

QUESTIONNAIRE

How long have you worked as a travel agent? Eight months.

What's your favourite destination to sell and why? London – there is so much to see and do!

If you could book yourself a holiday right now, where would it be and why? I would love to go and see the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, it's always been high on my bucket list.

What destination do you sell the most of? Definately Bali and Thailand. They're both so close to us.

When was the last famil you went on? I went down to Melbourne with Infinity. I had the best time with some awesome people and saw Melbourne in a totaly new light.

What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you while travelling? I was on the tube in London and accidently snapped my Oyster Card while fidgeting with it. I couldn't get out of the station and had to go and find a secruity officer to let me out! He didn't think it was very funny at all.

Which four famous people (dead or alive) would you invite to a dinner party? Captain Cook, Vincent Van Gogh, Carl Barron and Richard Branson.

Who is your dream travel partner? Anyone I get along with who loves to travel.

What is the strangest place you have ever travelled to? Mostar in Bosnia. It was amazing!

If you were stranded on a desert island and only allowed one item, what would it be? Definitely a hammock.

2ND PLACE: 85% Flight Centre, Palmerstone Shopping Centre, Palmerstone, NT

There was a friendly and energetic buzz about the agency when I arrived. An agent smiled and gave me a warm welcome before inviting me to take a seat at their counter. Whilst making my enquiry the agent gave me their undivided attention. I was asked in questions to identify my requirements including my contact details. Throughout the discussion the agent shared their personal experiences of holidaying in New Zealand. Personal recommendations of destinations, accommodation and activities were made including tandem skydiving, bungy jumping from the Kawarua bridge and a buffet dinner on the Skyline Gondola, all of which and more, were included in the comprehensive quote I later received via email. At one point the agent retrieved four brochures for me to look at, The New Zealand Book 2011-2012 by anzcro Australia, New Zealand Winter Magic 2012 Self Drive and Ski by anzcro and New Zealand Snowboard and Ski 2012 by Ski Express Australia and New Zealand by Infinity Holidays. My budget was not asked for resulting in the provided quote being well over what I wanted to spend. I was however very impressed with the ability the agent demonstrated in gleaning the relevant information from me to assist them in the compilation of what looked to be a truly fabulous adventurous holiday.

3RD PLACE: 63%: Jetset, Nightcliff Shopping Centre, Nightcliff, NT

Entering, I was immediately welcomed by an agent who after hearing my request passed me on to another agent who looked after international travel. I was then invited to take a seat and after repeating my enquiry was handed an anzcro The New Zealand Book 2011-2012 brochure to look at while they finished off a previous task. Shortly afterwards the agent asked a series of questions while going through the brochure with me. The agent shared numerous personal travel stories about their previous journeys to New Zealand which increased my enthusiasm and desire to travel there. We chatted about skiing and driving in snowy and icy conditions however there was no mention of ski and clothing hire or chain hire etc. The agent found suitable flight options and printed them for reference. After discussing some of my activity and accommodation preferences, the agent said they would email a quote. The quote was received from a different agent with no introductory comments which came over as being rather impersonal. There was no accommodation pricing between Queenstown and Christchurch in keeping with what the agent had suggested, that being not to book until the day of arrival as that even in the peak season accommodation was readily available. No follow up call was received.