Question - Can I choose which resort I want to work in?

 

Answer

The majority of tour operators do ask if you have a resort that you would prefer to work in.  However, it is not always guaranteed that you will get placed there.   They will take into consideration factors like speaking the local language, having a good understanding of lots of personal experience of the area, or having relatives/close friends living there.

 

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Question - Will I have to pay for my rep uniform?

 

Answer

The majority of the major tour operators provide you with the uniform free of charge. Some tour operators may ask you for money towards it. This is taken out in small sums from your first few pay packets. 

 

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Question - What will I do once the summer season is over?

 

Answer

Once your summer season is over and you have proved yourself as being a good rep, the tour operators will normally offer you winter work.  Winter work can be either in a winter sun or ski resort if offered in the tour operators brochure.  If you fancy coming home for the winter to see friends and family then they will normally offer you work somewhere within the company in the UK either in their offices or their travel shops until the next summer season starts again.

 

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Question - Can I rep during my summer holiday from University?

 

Answer

Yes a high number of tour operators recruit high season reps.  High season reps are reps that are sent out to a busy resort in the height of the summer season to help the other reps already in resort.  High season reps will normally go out to resort between July-September.  

 

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Question - Where would I live once I am in resort?

 

Answer

The tour operator will always provide you with accommodation.  This can either be a room within the hotel that you are representing or shared accommodation with other reps.  Shared accommodation is normally a villa with all the mod cons you may even be lucky enough to have a pool!!

 

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Question - Will I have to pay for my flights to and from resort?

 

Answer

No, the tour operator will provide you with the flights to your resort and back again at the end of the season.  If for any reason you have to return back to the UK for an emergency before your season has ended, they will still pay for your flights.

 

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Question - Will I get any paid holiday whilst working as a rep?

 

Answer

This really depends on the tour operator you are working for to the contract they offer you.  Some tour operators do not offer any paid holiday as you may be on a seasonal contract.  Others will allow you a week off that you can either go back and visit the UK or stay within the resort.

 

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Holiday Rep Courses Questions

 

Question - Do I need to complete a course before applying?

 

Answer

Although not having a qualification or training relating to the role of a holiday rep is mandatory.  The tour operators do prefer to recruit people who have a knowledge of the role they are applying for.  Some tour operators will even guarantee interviews to candidates completing certain training courses. The course is called Holiday Rep Ticket Diploma and this is advised to take before applying

 

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Question - I work full time, how can I complete the holiday rep ticket diploma course course?

 

Answer

There is an online home study course being offered.  This courses will allow you to study from home.  It contains around 40 hours worth of study material, allowing you to train up quickly before your interviews or applying.  Because there are no time limits for you complete the course within, you can study in your own time and at your own pace.  When choosing a home study course, make sure that it is one that tour operators recognise! for example Holiday Rep Ticket Diploma

 

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Question - Do I have to be a certain minimum age to enrol on a course?

 

Answer

To enrol on any college courses, you do normally need to be a minimum age of 16.  Holiday rep Ticket Diploma course you can take from 16.

 

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Question - Can I receive funding for any of the courses?

 

Answer

If you are attending a college course as a full-time student then you will not normally be expected to pay for the course fees.  If you are receiving any job seekers allowance or benefits, you may find that you are eligible for receiving funding for holiday rep ticket diploma.

 

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Question - I do not live in the UK, can I still take a course?

 

Answer

If you do not live in the UK you are able to complete the online Holiday Rep Ticket Diploma Course.  Some Universities maybe able to offer international student places.

 

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Holiday Rep Recruitment Questions

 

Question - When is the best time to apply to be a holiday rep?

 

Answer

For the summer season, tour operators generally tend to have their main recruitment drives between October to April.  Winter recruitment takes place between April to November.  Nowadays, the tour operators are accepting application forms even if they have don't have any current vacancies.  They will hold potential candidates on file and then call them up when their recruitment starts again.

 

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Question - What is the minimum age I can apply to be a holiday rep?

 

Answer

The current minimum age to become a holiday rep is 18.  However, some tour operators recruit at 19, 20 or even 21.

 

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Question - What is the maximum age I can apply to be a holiday rep?

 

Answer

Apart from Club rep positions which the maximum age is normally 35, there is no current maximum age to become a holiday rep.  In fact the tour operators actually encourage more mature candidates to apply as they have more life experience to offer the role.

 

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Question - I cannot speak another language, will this stop me being a rep?

 

Answer

Although speaking another language, especially a European one is desirable.  It is not an essential requirement to becoming a holiday rep.

 

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Question - I did not excel at school will this effect my chances?

 

Answer

Tour operators do understand that not everybody excels at school but may still have the ability to become a rep.  If you do not have any qualifications gained at school but have gained a higher education or extensive customer service experience then the tour operators will still consider your application.

 

Club rep positions generally do not require any formal qualifications to apply.

 

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Question - What happens during my induction course once I am recruited?

 

Answer

Once you have been successfully accepted by a tour operator to work as a holiday rep you will normally have to complete a 2-4 week training course.  Normally the first half of the training will be conducted in the UK then the second half within the resort you are sent too. With some companies training can be conducted in the resort where you are sent too. During this time you will be trained on:

·         Health and Safety Audits

·         How to complete paperwork

·         How to conduct a welcome meeting/transfer speech

·         Organising entertainment and guiding excursions

·         How to deal with holiday makers and resolve complaints/queries

·         Information on the company you will be working for

·         Information on the resort you will be working in

·         Currency conversion and exchange rates

 

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Tour Operator Common Questions

 

Question - Which tour operator would suit me best?

 

Answer

Deciding which tour operator you would prefer to work for is a personal decision you will have to make by yourself.  To find the right tour operator for you, it is best to do some research before applying.

 

 Factors to take into consideration are:

 

g The size of the company - do you want to work in a small and friendly company or a larger

       corporate one.

g The destinations they offer - Do you want to go for a tour operator that specialise in certain

       countries or one that offers holidays to all destinations.

g The incentives they offer their holiday reps.

g The career progression you can have within the company.

 

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Question - I have already applied to a tour operator but was not accepted, can I apply to them again?

 

Answer

Normally you can only re-apply to a tour operator after 6 months of your first application.  Many reps that were not successful the first time they apply, go onto be invited to an interview second time round.  During the 6 month period it is advised to really focus on building up your customer service experience and knowledge on being a rep.

 

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Question - What incentives should a tour operator offer me?

 

Answer

All tour operators offer their holiday reps the following incentives:

 

g Free flights too and from the country they will be working in. 

g Accommodation and related bills paid for

g Provision of company transport (if needed)

g Free travel insurance

 

 

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