Vacation Travel Advisor

FOX WORLD TRAVEL INC•Madison, WI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

As one of Wisconsin’s largest travel companies, Fox World Travel has excellent benefits and perks for all Fox associates including but not limited to: - A full benefit package including health, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability; company-sponsored life insurance and short-term disability, tuition reimbursement and 401(k) contributions - Competitive wages - Flexible time off (vacation, sick, personal) - FAM Adventure Bucks to help you explore the world - A fully engaged leadership team dedicated to treating associates as part of the Fox Family In addition, the perks available exclusively for Vacation Travel Advisors include: - Uncapped commission bonus with ramp up period for new associates - Set day shift schedule with no regularly scheduled nights and occasional support on weekends for events or seasonal needs - No major holidays - Access to complimentary or reduced cost, supplier-offered FAM opportunities, in addition to FAM Adventure Bucks offered to all associates - A dedicated Vacation Travel Support Team - In-house Marketing Team to assist with new lead generation - Hybrid schedule may be considered based on business need Core Values: At Fox World Travel, we operate as one Fox with a find a way mentality, embracing our integrity and passion. We take pride in leading with our people-first culture, by providing genuine care and concern for our associates which in turn leads to authentic and superior customer experiences. We've been able to create a culture where our associates can grow, learn, and succeed, and, in turn, exhibit the value we bring to every interaction and partnership. This role serves leisure travelers by developing, organizing, implementing, and evaluating travel reservations in a timely manner; building client relationships; ensuring client satisfaction. The individual in this position is responsible for providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers and demonstrating subject matter expertise in relation to destination knowledge and travel reservation responsibilities while helping clients’ dreams come true.

Requirements

At least 1 year of recent leisure/vacation travel booking experience at a travel agency with a proven track record of successful sales; working with booking sites/tools and Customer Relationship Management programs is ideal; experience with ClientBase preferred.
Degree in Hospitality, Travel, Tourism, Business or relevant field or certification from an accredited travel school preferred.
Strong sales skills and commercial awareness.
Ability to interact, communicate and negotiate effectively.
Enthusiasm and passion for the travel industry.
Demonstrated knowledge of industry codes and practices, as well as an understanding of international travel requirements, i.e. visas, passports, immunization requirements, etc.
Competency to maintain positive client and co-worker relationships—establishing, developing, and maintaining trust and loyalty over time and through changes.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Self-motivation; can demonstrate initiative with a strong commitment to personal goals, self-development, objectives and work ethic.
Ability to maintain work volume and quality in line with standards and expectations while managing multiple competing priorities and demonstrating flexibility in a changing work environment.
Good sense of geography and workings of travel industry in order to understand how to plan trips and construct itineraries.
Ability to communicate effectively and exhibit excellent customer service skills while promoting and selling travel products and services.
Effective listening skills with ability to determine root cause quickly, check for shared understanding and address misunderstandings promptly.
Flexibility to infrequently work evening and weekend hours during normal and/or peak travel periods and during emergency travel situations.
Willingness and ability to travel to destination locations; ability to travel by airplane, boat, rail and/or car up to 15% of time.
Knowledge and demonstrated proficiency of all Microsoft Office applications.
GDS proficiency preferred.
First-hand personal travel/destination experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

Customer-focused and service-oriented skills.
Organizational and planning skills.
Communication proficiency – verbal and written; appropriate use of grammar; listening.
Information gathering, problem solving, and monitoring skills.
Attention to detail and accuracy.
Flexibility; ability to work efficiently and effectively with frequent interruptions.
Occasional business travel, overnight stay may be required for the following (but not limited to): training events, meetings, and/or to visit Fox World Travel locations.

Responsibilities

Actively planning and selling transportation, accommodations, insurance and other travel services to leisure travelers.
Responding to client travel requests for reservations (airline, hotel, rental car, or other modes of transportation) in an efficient, courteous and timely manner.
Consulting with and qualifying clients to determine their needs and advise them on appropriate destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs and accommodations.
Supporting Fox World Travel preferred suppliers to ensure quality vacations for clients and remain informed of all supplier rules and regulations and current affairs.
Providing relevant information, brochures and publications (guides, local customs, maps, regulations, events, etc.) to travelers.
Actively provide resolutions to any travel problems or complaints while operating with a sense of urgency and interest, conveying this commitment to the traveler through your actions. Ensuring optimum customer service through effective use of computer systems, positive telephone techniques, and positive customer-facing scenarios.
Maintaining competency with Global Distribution System.
Participating in trade show functions and other promotional events to increase sales and promote travel products, as requested.
Assisting team members in researching and resolving issues and helping transition new team members into a Vacation Travel Advisor role, as needed.
Updating knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; staying abreast of developments in foreign countries that may influence travel arrangements; staying updated with technological advances and offerings of resorts, tour operators and transportation companies around the world.
Maintaining a favorable and collaborative working relationship with team members in all departments to foster an environment of trust and mutual respect. Driving standards and best practices whenever possible and effectively fostering a culture of engagement.
Enhancing the organization’s reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
Being innovative and recommending new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of operations and services performed.
Other duties, projects and alternate assignments as determined by business need.

Benefits

A full benefit package including health, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability; company-sponsored life insurance and short-term disability, tuition reimbursement and 401(k) contributions
Competitive wages
Flexible time off (vacation, sick, personal)
FAM Adventure Bucks to help you explore the world
A fully engaged leadership team dedicated to treating associates as part of the Fox Family
Uncapped commission bonus with ramp up period for new associates
Set day shift schedule with no regularly scheduled nights and occasional support on weekends for events or seasonal needs
No major holidays
Access to complimentary or reduced cost, supplier-offered FAM opportunities, in addition to FAM Adventure Bucks offered to all associates
A dedicated Vacation Travel Support Team
In-house Marketing Team to assist with new lead generation
Hybrid schedule may be considered based on business need