Being a rep could be a hol lot of fun
What is a Travel Rep?
Travel reps work for holiday companies and look after people when they are abroad.
They take care of everything – from getting people to and from the airport, making sure all is okay with the hotel, selling and arranging tours within the local area and recommending bars and restaurants in a resort.
How much does a Travel Rep earn?
Your basic salary would be in the region of £450 to £525 per month and you would have opportunities to earn bonuses for things like selling trips and arranging car hire.
With experience, your basic salary could rise to between £600 and £800 per month plus bonuses.
You will also get free accommodation, flights and excursions.
If you are confident and outgoing, love travelling abroad and enjoy meeting new people, a job as a travel rep could be ideal for you.
After greeting your clients at the airport, it’s your job to accompany them to their hotel and to ensure they settle in comfortably. Any extra requirements they might have are also up to you to sort out.
This might include anything from booking car hire or arranging day trips to having a cotbed delivered to a room.
You need to have good timekeeping and organisational skills and be able to deal with any problems that arise.
People go on holiday to destress so dealing with issues promptly and efficiently is a key area of the job.
Becoming a Travel Rep: What does it take?
Formal qualifications aren’t necessary to get into travel repping – employers will be more interested in people who have outgoing, friendly natures and who are great at putting people at ease.
They will also be looking for excellent organisation skills and the ability to stay calm and sort out problems as they arise.
If you can get by in a foreign language, that’s a big selling point too.
What is the job market like for careers in travel and leisure?
The leisure and travel sector is one of the lowest paid in the UK. It does offer opportunity to work on a self-employed basis or do part-time hours, however.
The number of jobs in the leisure and travel sector is expected to increase by more than 25,000 by 2020.
Travel and leisure courses and training to build your career
It’s usual to complete short induction training programme in the UK before arriving at the resort you will be working at.
Your training, which is provided by your employer, will include: • Health and safety • Procedures for completing paperwork Advice on giving a welcome meeting How to deal with queries and complaints While you are working, you might be encouraged to work towards a Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Travel and Tourism. • •
A travel rep can work all over the world