At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire guests with travel expertise and create unforgettable holiday experiences.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic Holidays, a leading travel company with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy industry-leading staff travel perks, uncapped commission, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Dynamic shifts with opportunities for career growth in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping guests plan life's biggest moments.
- Qualifications: Customer service skills and a passion for premium travel are essential.
The predicted salary is between 32760 - 40040 £ per year.
Location: Cheltenham
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours, 5 days per week)
Shift Times: Monday to Saturday 09:00 - 19:00, Sunday 10:30 - 16:30
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £27,454 with the opportunity to earn commission
In a nutshell
At Virgin Atlantic Holidays, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and it's our vision to become the most loved travel company. We’re proud to offer a supportive work environment, where no two days are the same. You’ll enjoy a dynamic shift pattern that includes weekends, bank holidays and evenings. This is all part of helping us create unforgettable experiences for our guests, every single day!
We love to disrupt the market with fresh ideas, bringing new approaches to the industry and remaining a loud and proud voice for positive change - be it on issues of sustainability, people, or our communities. So, if you’re ready to take your career to new heights, read on.
Join Virgin Atlantic Holidays as a Personal Travel Advisor and help create unforgettable holiday experiences. You'll inspire guests with your travel expertise, recommend and sell holidays, and work towards achieving high sales targets. Enjoy comprehensive training, fantastic travel benefits, and a dynamic work environment!
Day to day
- Working alongside our award-winning Retail team who share your passion and dedication to delivering outstanding guest service.
- Deliver premium service during every interaction, both pre-and post-sale, while actively identifying opportunities to maximise sales and create memorable guest experiences.
- Consistently achieve and exceed personal and team performance targets including sales and guest experience metrics.
- Maintain expert knowledge of destinations, products, hotels and travel trends.
- Use your passion for luxury travel to confidently inspire guests and drive sales.
- Work collaboratively with your team to support the day-to-day success of the store.
- Provide exceptional after-sales support, taking ownership of guest enquiries, amendments and travel-related requests.
About you
- Demonstrated customer service skills with a passion and desire to deliver a premium experience.
- Proven ability to achieve performance targets and key KPIs in a fast-paced sales or retail environment.
- Previous experience within the airline, travel, tourism, hospitality, or luxury service industry is desirable.
- A passion for premium travel, with a commitment to staying informed about destinations, trends, and exceptional travel experiences.
- Strong ability to build long-term guest relationships through personalised service, trust, and tailored recommendations.
- Confident in creating genuine connections to convert enquiries into bookings.
- Skilled at communicating value over price, confidently positioning premium products and experiences.
- Adaptable and resilient, with a positive, solution-focused approach to working in a fast-changing environment.
Our guests love to travel outside traditional office hours, so our stores are open seven days a week. You'll work a variety of shifts across mornings, evenings and weekends, with plenty of notice through our rota planning. This isn't a traditional retail role. Every conversation and every holiday is unique.
What we offer
- Industry-leading Staff Travel benefits with up to seven flights a year to any Virgin Atlantic destination.
- Our uncapped commission scheme rewards great guest experiences and outstanding sales performance.
- Develop your knowledge through Virgin Ventures, with exclusive learning opportunities and partnerships with leading tourist boards and travel suppliers.
- Generous contributory pension scheme and life assurance.
- Our iconic Vivienne Westwood uniform in your choice of styles!
Be yourself – Our differences make us stronger. Virgin Atlantic are committed equal opportunities employers and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible applicants regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity.
Please feel free to contact us at recruitment@fly.virgin.com if there are any reasonable adjustments to our process that you would like us to consider.
Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham employer: Virgin holidays
Virgin Atlantic Airways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities while working alongside industry leaders in a vibrant location. The company's commitment to fostering a supportive culture ensures that your contributions are valued, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in the aviation sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham
✨Get Involved in Local Travel Events
Join local tourism fairs or travel expos in your area. These events are a treasure trove for networking, and you can often meet hiring managers from companies like Virgin holidays who are looking for fresh talent for roles like Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham.
✨Showcase Your Travel Know-How
Create a travel blog or use social media to share your experiences and insights about different destinations. This can help you stand out to recruiters in the travel industry, demonstrating your passion for the sector and your ability to engage with an audience.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your School
Check out alumni groups linked to the travel and tourism sectors. Often, these connections can lead to inside info about opportunities at companies like Virgin holidays and give you a leg up for your Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham application.
✨Don’t Shy Away from Cold Emails
If there's a dream company you want to join, don’t hesitate to send a friendly email to their HR or recruitment team. Express your interest in their vision and mention that you’re keen on any Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham openings they might have. It's a bold move, but it might just pay off!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel:In the travel and tourism industry, your love for exploration and different cultures should shine through in your application. Make sure to share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for travel—this can really set you apart when applying for the Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham role at Virgin holidays.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills:Customer service is king in travel and tourism. When detailing your work experience, focus on situations where you provided outstanding service or resolved customer issues, as this demonstrates your ability to ensure client satisfaction. Include specific examples in your CV to show that you're ready to face the challenges of the Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham position at Virgin holidays.
Keep Your CV Travel-Themed:When it comes to CV conventions in the travel industry, think of including any relevant certifications or training you've completed, like first aid or tour guiding courses. If you've travelled widely yourself, don't hesitate to mention that—it's all about showing your background fits the globetrotting vibe of Virgin holidays.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not only explain why you're a great fit but also reflect your personality! Use this space to express what excites you about the travel sector and how you can contribute to Virgin holidays's adventures. Share any unique perspectives or ideas you have to enhance the travel experience, especially as a full-time Retail Travel Advisor – Cheltenham.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin holidays
✨Show Off Your Travel Knowledge
For a role in travel and tourism, it’s vital to demonstrate your knowledge of different destinations, cultures, and travel trends. Brush up on popular destinations and recent changes in travel restrictions. We suggest bringing some interesting travel stories or experiences to share—this can help you connect personally with the interviewer!
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Expect to be hit with customer service scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a challenging traveller or resolve a booking issue. Think of a few real-life examples from your experiences, even if they’re just from customer service roles. This will show that you're ready for the field and have the right mindset to tackle on-the-ground challenges!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Passion
In a full-time travel position, there are often irregular hours and spontaneous travel opportunities. Be sure to convey your flexibility and willingness to embrace the unpredictable nature of this industry. Let’s showcase that enthusiasm for travel and how it drives your decision-making!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Get familiar with travel booking systems and tools, such as Amadeus or Sabre. If you have experience using any specific software or even social media for travel promotions, bring that up! We want to show that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to their processes at Virgin holidays.
