Finest Journeys is an innovative tour operator creating worldwide tailor-made luxury tours for North American travellers. We aim to enrich lives through authentic travel experiences with our focus on Responsible Tourism. We are building our international travel team in our friendly Worcester city centre offices to handle our ambitious growth plans
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Tour Operations Manager
Responsible To: Director
Location: Worcester
This creative and challenging role demands laser like attention to detail and dedication to deliver outstanding and faultless travel experiences worldwide to our upscale and sophisticated international customers and travel agents. The Tour Operations Manager will be responsible for developing and managing a team creating luxury customised tours which enrich lives with authentic travel experiences for independent and small group travellers from initial lead through to final tour delivery. Strong destination knowledge especially within Europe and experience of building luxury tours which deliver authentic travel experiences are essential. The role involves extensive coordination and booking of hotels, experiences, attractions and land travel arrangements in creating unique and inspirational tours to the exacting expectations of our US travel agent partners and direct clients. Excellent customer service skills and the ability to build strong business relationships with both our suppliers and customers are vital attributes.
The ideal candidate for this role will be commercially aware and be well travelled and a naturally proactive, quick thinker. You will be a superb rapport builder and approachable with a fabulous telephone manner, used to working in an upmarket/luxury environment. You will need to be systems savvy as you will be using MS Office and in-house reservations systems.
A second European language and graduate level education are a definite plus
There will be opportunities to travel to experience destinations on familiarisation trips.
Duties and responsibilities
An experienced travel professional who can play a leading role in a small and friendly team to seize opportunities to grow the business through:-
* Creation of high quality, bespoke itineraries from the initial planning stage through to the delivery and fulfilment of these enriching travel experiences
* Having a total commitment to customer service to ensure that our clients return having had an authentic and enriching travel experience.
* Booking hotels, villas, rental cars, trains, private jets, yachts, transfers, excursions, activities, and dmc ground services to create unique and imaginative itineraries
* Commercially knowledgeable and able to ensure itineraries are both high quality and accurately and competitively priced through your negotiating skills.
* Develop strong relationships with key contacts.
* Strong team work ethic
* Keep up to date with product and industry information. You need to develop an intimate knowledge of the products and services the company offers.
Skills required: Minimum of two years' experience within the Travel Industry, preferably within the luxury market. Experience of using a varied supplier base, including hotels, tour guides and drivers, DMCs, and experience providers Superb attention to detail
* Well-travelled with a good international understanding of different destinations
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Strong team work ethic
* A high degree of proficiency with MS Office
* Excellent keyboard skills
* Ability to work on own initiative
Desirable criteria: Second European language skills Clean driving license In addition to the above, it is expected that employees may be required to undertake other duties to meet changing demands within the company and this job description will therefore be subject to periodic review. You will be expected to work to the highest of standards, working within the limits of company policies and procedures and Health & Safety requirements
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Transport links
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Worcester WR1 1YD: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
* A-Level or equivalent (required)
Experience:
* travel industry: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person