Power to the people might be the slogan of our next two guest judges charged with shortlisting YOUR photos in our Facebook Explorer photo contest to win the £20,000 holiday of a lifetime?
With the world of journalism and photography sewn up already with our existing three judges, we thought it only right that you, the customer, get a say.
And when it comes to championing consumer rights and high standards, two of our customers have shown they have gone above and beyond the call of duty as leading lights on the Thomas Cook – Get Satisfaction forum.
Jan Cornall and Tracy Reynold’s helpful, impartial tips and answers for fellow travelers with queries, and support of the Thomas Cook customer service staff, means they have been an invaluable and trusted resource for other holidaymakers.
Since the competition began more than 4,000 people have already shared the image of what a wonderful world means to them on Facebook, but there is still plenty of time to pitch in with your photograph. It just needs to be a single snap showing your explorer’s spirit. It could be sunbathing in sunny Scunthorpe or riding a camel in the Sahara desert, it doesn’t matter how close-to-home or exotic the location. You don’t even have to rush out and invest in expensive camera equipment, just show us your inner traveller. Why not watch our “It is a wonderful world”, advert for inspiration or upload an image of you on a cheap holiday with your family onto our Facebook page.
Our guest panel of travel expert judges will each be picking the photo they feel best shows an explorer’s spirit, before the Thomas Cook community have the chance to vote for the winner. As promised, we’ll be announcing a new judge each Thursday, and here’s #4 and #5.
Satisfaction guaranteed
Tracy Reynolds has been a member of the Thomas Cook Get Satisfaction forum for over a year, helping customers with queries, complaints and advice.
She said: I was awarded “champ” status a few months ago and I love to help people where possible. “I have a customer service related background in retail and enjoy offering advice on the site.”
Describing herself as “rather a bad traveller”, Tracy is perfectly placed to help soothe fellow holidaymakers’ worries or issues.
She said: “I tend to steer away from long-haul trips but in any case my favourite place to holiday is Kalamaki in Zante.
“We stay in the same little hotel, the Roseland, year after year.
“It’s a very relaxing holiday and we love the restaurants, the atmosphere and the rest!”
Jan’ll fix it for you
Passionate about the travel industry, Jan Cornall’s zeal to help others in need has meant she even spends her free time helping holidaymakers in a sticky situation.
She said: “I found the Thomas Cook community support site and started to post answers to general questions that I knew I could help with.
“Thomas Cook have to be commended for running this site, as it helps lots of
people who otherwise would be worrying about different aspects of their holiday, to get many small problems ironed out without lots of fuss and bother.”
Despite being well travelled, former travel agent Jan has plumped for her first trip to Cuba in 2010, which she researched meticulously before going with Direct Holidays.
She said: “It was somewhere we always said we would go to on our first holiday without the kids.
“The hotel was the Playa Costa Verde Hotel near Holguin and we were not disappointed, it was just fabulous and set on a beach that takes your breath away when you first see it.
”From the flight out to the flight back everything was just perfect and we had the best holiday we have ever had.”
