Senior Travel Consultant

We are working with a lovely company who is looking for a senior travel consultant to join their team.

Do you have experience travelling on long-haul holidays and cruises?

The Role

As an experienced Country Specialist, you will design and sell personalised, tailor-made trips to clients, by ensuring exceptional service is given prior, during, and after the holiday. You will handle the full sales and service cycle of a client's journey, being their single point of contact throughout the process. However, you will be supported throughout with the latest technology and a 24/7 team to assist you and the customer.

The candidate will work alongside other experienced sellers, and the successful applicant will be heavily involved in working on advising on new content for the website. In addition, there will be opportunities to visit various countries on international familiarisation trips.

Skills and Qualities

To be successful in this position, the candidate must have 10 years of experience in travel, at least 8 years of experience selling package holidays, and a minimum of 5 years of cruise sales experience, which is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Follow up on incoming and existing enquiries and contact clients, primarily over the phone, to establish their travel preferences and build a relationship.
• Prepare detailed, accurate, and high-quality itineraries, reflecting the client's interests, and selecting the most appropriate flights, accommodation, and excursions.
• Use a variety of sales techniques and communication methods to convert as many enquiries into bookings as possible.
• Maintain regular contact with clients over the phone, email, or face-to-face to ensure any changes and operational issues are communicated.
• Design and sell bespoke cruise packages, including pre- and post-cruise stays, flights, and shore excursions.
• Provide expert advice on cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and onboard experiences, tailoring recommendations to client preferences.
• Promote and upsell cruise enhancements, such as cabin upgrades, drink packages, and excursions.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of cruise destinations, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska, and more.
• Handle cruise-related challenges, such as itinerary changes or cabin adjustments, with professionalism and efficiency.

First and foremost, you must be passionate about travelling, having travelled to long-haul destinations and cruising holidays, and providing unparalleled customer service. The ability to acquire the sale and to look after the customer should be a prime target.

Additional Experience Required:

• Able to convince customers over video, phone, and in person.
• A clear communicator in English.
• Confident user of Office365 suite of products.
• Proficient in cruise booking systems (e.g., Polar Online, Sabre Cruises).
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence.

What You'll Get in Return:

• Pension scheme.
• Generous Bonus Scheme.
• Access to cruise training, ship visits, and familiarisation trips.

A strategic mindset is required to create action plans, including promotional pricing and product repositioning. Daily responsibilities will include monitoring passenger numbers for particular destinations and identifying opportunities to grow new destinations for the company.

The candidate must have a friendly customer service manner and excellent communication skills.

The candidate will be provided with excellent training opportunities and will be integrated with the rest of the organisation, with the potential to work in new markets. Ideally, the candidate can demonstrate a passion for travel, and any experience travelling destinations worldwide would be advantageous for strong product knowledge.

The candidate must have used GDS to book flights in their previous travel jobs.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

The package:

• Salary £37,000.00-£48,000.00 per year
• Bonus scheme
• Commission pay

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Experience:

• Selling Holidays: 8 years (required)
• Cruise Sales: 5 years (required)
• GDS Experience such as Galileo / Amadeus: 8 years (required)