A HELENSBURGH travel expert has been celebrating after his firm come out on top in a national survey of customers' experiences of travel companies during the coronavirus pandemic.

John Spy runs his own business as part of the independent Travel Counsellors network, which was ranked first in the survey of more than 27,000 people, initiated by MoneySavingExpert.com – the site founded by TV presenter, journalist and campaigner Martin Lewis.

The survey asked people to rate the support travel companies are giving to people whose travel plans have been affected by Covid-19.

With negative ratings subtracted from positive ones to give each firm its final ranking, Travel Counsellors emerged with a net score of +91 per cent, followed by Hays Travel – which closed its Helensburgh store in the early days of the pandemic in late March – on +70 per cent and Airbnb on +56 per cent.

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At the bottom of the table, Travel Trolley and TravelUp scored -95 per cent, with Teletext Holidays at -94 per cent.

John said: “The last few weeks have been a worrying time for many people, but I have remained focussed on supporting my customers to navigate this period in the best ways possible – whether that’s helping them to get home as borders closed across the globe, or rearranging their plans for a time when we have the chance to travel again.

“Placing number one in the MoneySavingExpert survey is thanks to the support of my customers in Helensburgh and across the UK, many of whom have said they are so pleased to be able to rely on someone who can take care of all their travel plans right now, and in the future."

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The survey, which ran from May 1-11, asked for people's experiences of 81 different travel companies, and allowed them to add their own if they weren't included in the list.

A total of 207 users of the site gave a rating to Travel Counsellors, which was founded in 1994 and has more than 1,900 travel franchisees around the world, including John, who runs his operation from his home in the town.

The full results from the survey can be read by clicking here.

“Whilst there may still be some uncertainty surrounding travel across the globe," John continued, "I’ve seen an increase in bookings and enquiries for 2021, as well as staycations in the UK for later in the year.

"My customers are telling me they’re craving something to look forward to."

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