FIT Sales Consultant – Cheltenham, UK
Full‑time position reporting to the FIT Manager. The role involves building and pricing creative luxury tailor‑made programmes for travel across Europe. You will be responsible for achieving sales and margin goals, designing operationally sound programmes, and exceeding expectations of guests, sales offices and travel advisors to drive repeat business for A&K Travel Group.
Responsibilities
* Design tailor‑made FIT programmes for A&K sales offices or travel advisors, checking itinerary feasibility and making suggestions.
* Meet or exceed agreed turnaround, sales, conversion, and margin targets.
* Negotiate better hotel and land provider rates where possible.
* Cost each programme accurately and competitively, maintaining quality within the agreed time frame using the in‑house reservations system.
* Actively follow up on all new business quoted until a definitive result is obtained.
* Set up the file and ensure the reservation system is accurate before handing over to the operator.
* Investigate new products and opportunities to achieve greater sales to existing and new clients.
* Check costings and itinerary content of programmes set up by other team members.
* Review final itinerary and Supplier Information Report before it is sent to all suppliers.
* Build strong relationships with a global clientele of luxury travel industry professionals to encourage repeat business.
Financial & Customer Service Duties
* Ensure appropriate terms are sent to clients and deposits are taken.
* Create financial statements, including matters related to travel advisor commissions.
* Confirm funds are received from a client by the agreed dates.
* Develop itineraries that are operationally viable from the outset.
* Assist managers and operations staff in handling issues as they arise.
* Provide quality control information to the Manager/Supervisor as required.
* Proactively participate in, and provide training on, destinations, products, and procedures.
General Duties
* Provide emergency mobile telephone service on a rota basis and maintain all necessary emergency documentation.
* Perform general office duties such as answering telephone calls.
* Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Manager/Supervisor.
* Offer guidance and assistance to staff in other European A&K DMC locations.
Desired Skills & Qualifications
* Confident, positive attitude.
* Strong spoken and written communication skills; a second European language is an advantage.
* Good geographical and general knowledge of Europe.
* Proficient in Outlook, Word, Teams, and Excel.
* Natural affinity for sales and (over) achieving goals.
* Real passion for travel.
* Ability to multi‑task and work under pressure.
* Attention to detail.
* Willingness to develop relationships with clients.
* Effective time management.
What We Offer
* Company pension plan from start of employment, with employer contributions increasing after 5 and 10 years of service.
* 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), with the ability to buy an additional 5 days or sell 5 days.
* Discounted trips through the A&K Travel Group Travel Benefit Program (includes friends and family).
* Discounted gym membership (up to £35 a month at Virgin Active Gym or other gym partners).
* Life assurance (2× base salary paid out as a tax‑free sum).
* Hybrid working – minimum of 4 days per week in the office.
* Enhanced paid parental leave – 18 weeks full pay regardless of gender.
* Employee Assistance Program – access to wellbeing resources and counselling.
* £1,000 recruitment referral bonus.
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme, season‑ticket loans, and regular social events.
EEO Statement
Abercrombie & Kent is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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