Travel Shop Manager
Location: Garden Centre Travel Shop, Ashford, Kent
Salary: £26,000 to £28,000 per year, depending on experience
Additional Pay: Commission
Job Type: Full-time or part-time
We are looking for an accomplished and highly knowledgeable Travel Shop Manager to lead our welcoming Garden Centre Travel Shop.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced travel professional who has built a successful career within the industry and still has a genuine passion for creating exceptional holidays.
The ideal candidate will have substantial experience selling a wide range of holidays, with particular knowledge of:
- Ocean and river cruises
- Luxury and tailor-made holidays
- Long-haul destinations
- Premium resorts
- Touring holidays
- High-value and complex travel arrangements
The Role
You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the travel shop, delivering outstanding personal service and helping customers find the right holiday for their needs.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing customer enquiries from initial conversation through to booking
- Building lasting relationships with new and returning customers
- Using your destination and product knowledge to recommend suitable holidays
- Achieving individual and shop sales targets
- Supporting and motivating other members of the team
- Maintaining high standards of customer care, administration and compliance
- Helping establish the shop as the trusted local choice for holidays and cruises
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has substantial, proven experience within the travel industry
- Has strong knowledge of cruises, luxury holidays and long-haul travel
- Has previously worked in a senior travel consultant, supervisory or management role
- Is confident managing high-value and complex bookings
- Enjoys meeting people and providing a genuinely personal service
- Is commercially aware, organised and motivated by results
- Can work independently while also supporting the wider team
- Has excellent communication and customer service skills
What We Offer
- Basic salary of £26,000 to £28,000, depending on experience
- Attractive commission opportunity
- Full-time or part-time hours considered
- Salary offered on a pro-rata basis for part-time hours
- Subsidised travel opportunities
- Opportunities for complimentary educational and familiarisation travel, subject to availability and supplier terms
- A friendly, customer-focused working environment
- The opportunity to help shape and grow an exciting local travel business
- A distinctive Garden Centre location with easy parking
This role could suit someone seeking a rewarding new position where their years of travel knowledge, customer relationships and industry experience will be genuinely valued.
We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds and ages. Appointments will be based entirely on relevant experience, skills and suitability for the role.
We particularly welcome applications from experienced travel professionals, including those returning to the industry or looking for a flexible part-time position where their knowledge and expertise will be genuinely valued.
To apply, please send your CV together with a brief introduction explaining your travel industry experience and specialist areas.
Pay: £24,420.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free or subsidised travel
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Travel : 10 years (required)
Work Location: In person
