Adding on to this. There was a great information post (I think from Sally C) put up some time ago on general procedures at airports which first time travellers might find useful. Of course the oh so elusive reps at regional airports (I have never found one yet), cannot go beyond the departure lounge anyway.
As far as regional departures are concerned, I would happily travel to a main departure airport instead of using a regional departure (if offered) but invariably this involves a long travel time both ways (4 hours for Heathrow, closer to 6 for Gatwick , and invariably an overnight stay, one if not both ways, and yes I know people travel a lot further than me, and I respect that). However for such a short flight time to Barcelona I deemed it ridiculous, when I have East Midlands Airport half a hour by taxi away. I never expected to see a rep at the airport although I was keeping a very sharp eye out for someone. Apparently I was told by CS that there was someone there, but as all 4 of us did not see them , I am not aware where they were. I am quite familiar with East Midlands, but I have also travelled from Stansted and Birmingham and not found anyone either, which was a little disconcerting as I had never used either of those two airports before. It's just a matter of having a guiding hand if you are a first time traveller, or nervous that is all.
As far as the situation at Barcelona is concerned, I am afraid that this needs sorting. The EMA arrival was met only by a driver with very little English, who only picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel. Fortunately the receptionist at the hotel was very helpful, gave us the information from the TM who was coming on from Gatwick, which helped, and then we were left to our own devices.
As far as the flight back was concerned we were (along with the Bristol group) picked up by a driver, transported to the airport, and left to find our way to our separate departure points. Barcelona airport is not too bad, but I have had the same situation at Faro which is more difficult to negotiate.
I appreciate totally that JY cannot find endless staff, or local reps to facilitate help at foreign airports, but if this is not going to happen, then appropriate information should be given to regional departure travellers so that they are aware. I have usually found that there is some assistance on the outward arrival at least, certainly there was at Faro, but this time was quite shambolic. I spent some time before actually travelling (as I thought initially that I was the only traveller from EMA), in trying to find out if there would be assistance and never got a satisfactory answer. My replies on the CS survey of the holiday reflected this I think.
As far as the table situation at the hotel was concerned, I think it may have been a problem for the hotel, as it is small, and the dining room only had limited space, but I do think that the option might have been there to move amongst tables.