Courier/Resort Representative

Also known as:

Holiday Representative
Resort Representative
Tour Operator's Representative
Travel Representative

Introduction

Couriers/resort representatives travel and stay with tourists during their holiday on behalf of a travel company. The work involves dealing with any problems and sometimes organising excursions. Fluency in another language is usually required.

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Work Activities

Resort representatives (reps) look after tourists on behalf of a travel company. They may be based at a holiday resort abroad (eg Spain) or in the UK. If they are based abroad, they will need to be fluent in speaking the local language.

Reps have a very busy schedule, which changes from day to day. They always go to meet the clients as they arrive and take them to their accommodation. They then arrange a welcome meeting, where they will tell people all about the resort/accommodation and answer any questions.

If there are any problems, such as illness or lost luggage, the reps will try to sort them out. It is important that reps have good relationships with hotel and travel staff. Reps also organise, promote and sell excursions, and sometimes accompany tourists on these.

Children's reps work mostly in 'family resorts' arranging games and activities for 3-12 year olds.

Couriers work for a tour operator during coach tour holidays. They join a coach tour holiday at the start of the tour and welcome travellers onto the coach. They check tickets and seating (and passports if travelling abroad) and explain the travel arrangements.

Once the tour is under way, they provide a commentary on places of interest and what to see and do. They must acquire knowledge of the history and culture of several towns and countries to do this.

Couriers work closely with the driver to arrange rest stops along the route, and liaise with hotel staff to organise meals and accommodation.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need good organisational ability, a flair for public relations and the ability to cope with the stressful nature of the work. You should have a good sense of humour, enthusiasm and stamina to cope with long working hours. Maturity, an outgoing personality, common sense and good communication skills are important.

The ability to converse in at least one foreign language is usually required, and applicants' conversational ability may be tested.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for courier/resort representatives vary widely depending on the company and location.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Couriers/resort reps earn in the range of £11,500 - £14,000 a week, rising to £17,000 - £21,000 a year.

Resort representatives work long, irregular hours, including early starts, late finishes and work at weekends and public holidays.

Many companies offer only seasonal contracts from April to October; others offer occasional additional opportunities for work in winter resorts.

This is a very competitive field.

There are some opportunities for promotion to senior executive posts for successful, experienced employees.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Fluency in at least one foreign language is an advantage.

Previous experience of living and working abroad is useful, along with some specialist knowledge of the particular geographical region.

Employers often prefer a background in travel agency work, tourist information or in reception/customer service work, especially in the travel and hospitality industries.

• 82% of people in occupations such as courier/resort representative work part-time.
• 8% have flexible hours.
• 21% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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