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Nowhere is the difference between mass-market and specialist tour operator products more acutely highlighted than with villas. In our view the quality of private villas available through the niche operators is far superior to the offerings of their larger rivals.
That spectacular villa overlooking a secluded cove might be situated at the end of a narrow winding lane, no problem for a taxt transfer but impracticable for a 60-seater coach full of impatient people eager to begin their holiday.
The smaller operators have usually built a relationship with their owners over many years. The owners trust them to properly portray their property, to look after it and to sell it to the type of clients who will themselves respect the accommodation and appreciate its unique qualities.
Perhaps this relationship is best illustrated by a booking we made a few years back during the Soccer World Cup. One of our clients had hired a villa in the mountains, a keen England supporter he was unsure of the television reception and asked us to check as he didn’t want to miss a key game.
We rang the operator who contacted the villa owner. The owner replied that reception was not very good. He suggested a better plan would be for him to pck up our client and take him to the local taverna where he could watch the match with the locals on a big screen. Our client accepted the invitation and had a wonderful time.
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