The Typical Day for a Holiday Rep

Exactly what you end up doing on a day to day basis will depend on where you are working and who you are working for. If you are applying for a job as a holiday rep, then it is a good idea to look more specifically at what you would be doing if you were working for one particular company, but if you are just looking at whether or not you think you could do the job, this article should help you get an idea of what you could be doing. As every group which you meet at the airport will have different needs and interests, you are unlikely to have two days that are exactly the same when you are working as a holiday rep. You will have the chance to meet loads of new people from all over the world and will get to know them during their stay at the resort that you're based. You'll probably get one full day and then either one or two half days off a week, in which you'll be free to do your own thing. Holiday reps usually work quite long hours and they are not always fixed. If you have to meet a group from an early morning flight then you could be waking up at 5am to go and fetch them! Other flights won't get in until much later; it really depends on where you are working and how the group trips are organized. On other days you could be organizing evening events such as concerts, karaoke, talent shows, dances or club nights. On these days you would probably start work later but you would also be working until late into the evening or even until the early hours of the morning. As a holiday rep, you are likely to be responsible for large groups of people at a time. You will need to be confident speaking in front of large groups of people as this could make up a large part of your daily responsibilities. You will often be required to travel to the airport and to meet guests when they land. You will then spend the rest of the trip being their 'go-to person' throughout their stay, so if they have any questions it will be up to you to answer them. On the journey back from the airport you will probably answer some questions that the guests might have, or try and get to know a few of them in advance of the welcome meeting. When you arrive at the hotel or resort, you will have to gather everyone together for the welcome meeting. In this meeting you will have to speak in front of a large group of people (there could be up to 100 people in each group, depending on the size of the resort where you are working). You will outline the facilities available to them, give them information about what the hotel and the local area has to offer and will let them know the details of any organized events which will be taking place throughout the course of their stay. If guests have any questions, now is the time to answer them. Throughout their stay at the hotel or resort, you will be the friendly face who will help them to deal with any accidents or problems such as people losing passports, having items stolen or any injuries which people may suffer. Hopefully none of these things will happen, but if they do, it will be your job to make sure that they are dealt with in the most helpful and polite manner. As well as being a friendly face and being generally available to answer questions and give advice, you will also need to be prepared to carry out administrative work. Depending on the exact nature of your position, you may have to arrange vehicle hire; organize excursions to landmarks or points of interest; put together a social event or organize a children's party. Part of your job might also include selling particular products or services which the tour operator offers to all guests. Many guests will have signed up to all-inclusive packages in their hotels or resorts, but these will not include any entertainment throughout their stay. You could be in charge of up-selling more exclusive packages, trips and excursions, hotel room upgrades or tickets for evening entertainment. There will also be a lot of paperwork to fill in, so you will usually be given a few hours during the day to complete this. You will need to fill out risk assessment forms and health and safety documentation for every event and excursion that you organize or work on. If you are asked to sell any additional services then you will be responsible for handling the money from guests and keeping a record of all sales. If a daytime excursion has been organized, you may be asked to accompany the group on the trip. This would mean that you would be out and about acting as a guide for the guests. You would have to be responsible for the whole group, making sure that no-one gets left behind and that the trip is carried out according to the tour operator's health and safety policies and all applicable legal requirements. If you speak a foreign language, you may also be required to do some translating or some interpreting as part of this role. Whatever it is that you are required to do on a day to day basis, you will have to become an expert on the local area. All of the guests will expect you to be on-hand at all times to answer their questions, which could range from giving out recommendations for local restaurants and helping them to plan their stay in the resort, to finding the best childcare option to suit a family or helping them to rent a car for the duration of their stay.