Alternative Aquitaine awarded ABTA Membership

Alternative Aquitaine and sister company Alternative Portugal are amongst the latest businesses to be accepted as new members of ABTA and proudly offer the assurance this membership brings their customers. A big step forward for this Devon-based company, Alternative Aquitaine was created over thirteen years ago to offer a specialist portfolio of holiday homes in the South-West of France, with Alternative Portugal being launched in 2016. 

Headed up by Directors Justin Ashby and Alex Spalding, the company prides itself on providing a highly knowledgeable, passionate and personal service. In addition to the in-depth knowledge of the specific areas of France and Portugal they cover, the business also has a policy of personally visiting all the properties they represent. They invest time and effort into nurturing relationships with both property owners and customers which is reflected in their exemplary customer feedback and high levels of repeat business. 

Recent ABTA research has shown that 75% of people are more confident booking a holiday with an ABTA bonded agent - a little logo that speaks volumes for credibility. With 47% of people booking holidays abroad through an agent in 2016, the evidence shows that there is still a healthy demand for all the reassurance an agent, and particularly an ABTA bonded agent, can offer. 

“Enormous change has taken place in the world of travel as this dynamic sector expands.  The last few years have seen the development of huge online portals like Airbnb but we offer something very different which has enormous relevance to customers today.  Booking a holiday through an agent gives a customer access to wise travel advice, tailored rental recommendations and a high level of personal service – all of which go a long way to ensuring a great holiday experience” commented Alex Spalding. 

"Our customers trust us with their family holiday, something which we take very seriously.  We collect independent customer reviews through Feefo and are very proud of our excellent customer service rating.  We believe that our membership of ABTA will give customers an even greater reassurance in our credentials as a trustworthy holiday rentals business and will reinforce their decision to book with an agent.”