At a Glance
- Tasks: Create bespoke holiday proposals and build strong client relationships in a dynamic travel environment.
 - Company: Join News UK, a leading media business with a passion for travel and storytelling.
 - Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working hours, and extensive training opportunities.
 - Why this job: Turn your love for travel into a career while helping others create unforgettable experiences.
 - Qualifications: Experience in retail travel sales and a genuine passion for exploring new destinations.
 - Other info: Access to exclusive events, wellbeing benefits, and a supportive, diverse workplace culture.
 
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Role Overview
Join to apply for the Retail Travel Consultant role at The Times. Our digital travel retail operation lets consumers plan and book holidays both online and offline across a wide variety of product types.
Responsibilities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, responding to enquiries via telephone, email, WhatsApp and live chat.
 - Create bespoke holiday proposals tailored to client requirements across cruise, touring and luxury tailor‑made.
 - Own the administrative elements of all bookings; confirmations, invoicing.
 - Liaise directly with hotels, airlines, cruise lines and tour operators to ensure accuracy and seamless travel arrangements.
 - Proactively generate enquiries from our existing client base.
 - Achieve and exceed sales performance targets.
 - Own and manage the entire process from itinerary creation to booking, invoicing and managing pre‑ and post‑sales enquiries, accommodating any special requests.
 - Curate new and exciting holiday itineraries, aligned to editorial content, to engage customers and encourage sales.
 - Load itineraries into the CMS for both marketing opportunities and customer quotes.
 - Assist with ad hoc projects and activities to support marketing and business growth.
 
Qualifications
- Experience in a retail travel sales environment.
 - An articulate and confident telephone manner.
 - Experience in sales and working within a target‑driven environment.
 - Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
 - A friendly, enthusiastic attitude and willingness to tackle any task.
 - Proven experience working towards and achieving sales targets and KPIs.
 - Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new computer systems.
 - A genuine passion for travel, exploring new destinations and learning about new experiences, cultures and travel products.
 - In‑depth knowledge of luxury travel products, particularly cruise, touring and tailor‑made holidays.
 - First‑hand travel experience in areas like Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada or Asia is desirable.
 
Working Hours
- Monday – Friday: 9am to 6pm – rostered shift pattern.
 - Saturday: 10am to 5pm – rostered shift pattern.
 - Initial 20 days holiday (+ bank holidays), increasing by 1 day per year worked, up to a maximum of 23 days.
 - Flexibility to work weekends and out‑of‑hours. We will be increasing our opening hours and opening on Sundays in the coming weeks.
 
Benefits
- Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks.
 - Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access.
 - Private medical insurance including coverage for pre‑existing conditions.
 - Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes.
 - Bikes for Work and Electric Car scheme.
 - Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books.
 - Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities.
 - Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling.
 - A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%.
 
We want to hear from people who have a passion to learn and develop. If you think you have what it takes but don’t tick every requirement on the list, please do apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Retail Travel Consultant employer: The Times
Contact Detail:
The Times Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Travel Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research News UK and their travel offerings. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and even referrals that might just land you the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to sales and customer service in the travel industry. Role-play with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Travel Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel: When writing your application, let your love for travel shine through! Share your experiences and what makes you excited about the industry. We want to see that enthusiasm for creating amazing holiday experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in luxury travel and sales. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've successfully built client relationships and converted enquiries into bookings.
Be Clear and Organised: Keep your application neat and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and ensure your information flows logically. We appreciate attention to detail, so make sure there are no typos or errors!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to showcase your skills and passion right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Times
✨Know Your Travel Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of luxury travel products, especially cruises and tailor-made holidays. Be ready to discuss your own travel experiences and how they relate to the role. This will show your genuine passion for travel and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Show Off Your Sales Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully converted enquiries into bookings in previous roles. Highlight any sales targets you've achieved and how you went above and beyond to meet client needs. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a target-driven environment.
✨Practice Your Communication
Since you'll be liaising with clients via various channels, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Role-play common scenarios you might encounter, like responding to client queries or creating bespoke holiday proposals. This will help you feel more at ease during the actual interview.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
The role requires exceptional organisational skills, so come prepared with a plan for how you manage multiple bookings and client requests. Share specific strategies you've used in the past to stay organised and ensure accuracy in your work. This will show that you're ready to handle the administrative elements of the job.