Tour Officer at Aspom Travel Agency

Job Responsibilities

• Organizing, planning and conducting long distance expeditions, travel, and tours for groups or individuals
• Confirm reservations and show times, and deal with venue managers, ticket agents and promoters
• Manage the schedules of the travel group and look after their finances
• Accompany groups travelling by coach, or in some cases by plane, car or train
• Welcome groups of holidaymakers at their starting points and announce details of travel arrangements and stop-over points
• Check tickets and other relevant documents, seat allocations and any special requirements
• Help with passport and immigration issues
• Assist holidaymakers with check-in and settle them into their accommodation
• Communicate a range of information on itineraries, destinations and culture
• Inform passengers of arrival and departure times at each destination on the itinerary and ensure that all members of the group are back on the coach before departing from each stop
• Develop a specialist area of knowledge
• Use professional knowledge to answer questions from holidaymakers and to fulfil their expectations of the tour
• Make sure all travel arrangements run according to plan and that accommodation, meals and service are satisfactory
• Organise entry to attractions and transport, such as car hire
• Ensure that the tour is running smoothly for individual members of the group
• Respond to questions and offer help with any problems that arise, ranging from simple matters, such as directing a member of the group to the nearest chemist, to more serious issues, such as tracing lost baggage
• Deal with emergencies, such as helping a holidaymaker who is ill or those needing to contact family members urgently
• Make contact in advance with places to stay or visit to check details and arrangements
• Liaise with hotels, coach companies, restaurants and other clients
• Advise about facilities, such as sights, restaurants and shops, at each destination
• Occasionally make accommodation bookings on proposed dates
• Organise and attend tourism events, conferences, workshops, seminars and exhibitions
• Write reports and maintain records
• Provide feedback after a tour as part of a debrief session.
• Come up with innovative ideas for winning new clients and acquiring new businesses from time to time.

Job Qualifications & Attributes

• A good First Degree from a reputable educational institution
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in the Travel and Tours industry
• Demonstrable experience as a Tour Officer/Manager in similar roles in the past.
• Experience and Formal training in Events Coordination
• Security-conscious and highly professional.
• Comfortable managing high-budget tours.
• Being punctual.
• Having public relations skills.
• Polished logistical and problem-solving methods.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to alleviate the taxing emotions engendered by touring.
• Must be proactive, creative and self-motivated, with strong networking / strategic marketing skills and ability to think "out of the box".