Travel Specialist , Specialist Holidays Group

Location: Belfast – Lombard Street

Function: American Holidays/ D2 - Sales

Reports To: Head of Sales

Contract Terms: Permanent, full time

Specialist Holidays Group (SHG) is a leading specialist travel group, bringing together a family of trusted, expert-led brands that create exceptional holidays for discerning travellers. Each brand combines deep destination knowledge with personalised, high-service experiences — expertise that sits at the heart of everything we do.
Our portfolio spans accessible luxury and cruise through Destination2 and Destination2Cruise; ultra-premium, bespoke travel through Sovereign Luxury Travel; the USA, Canada, Caribbean and Latin America through American Holidays; authentic Italy through Citalia; and great-value getaways through Holiday Gems. Together they share one promise: Travel. Expertly Delivered.
As part of the group, American Holidays (www.americanholidays.com) is a North America, Canada & Caribbean specialist travel provider operating for over 40 years in the ROI, Northern Irish and UK markets. Our customers are at the heart of what we do, and we are passionate about inspiring their next holiday adventure. With offices in Belfast, Dublin and London we offer a wide range of holiday experiences from beaches, city breaks, fly drives and road trips, escorted tours, and cruises.
Destination 2 was established in 2016 and has grown quickly, positioning itself as one of the UK's fastest growing online tour operators and focuses on offering luxury travel at competitive prices, covering destinations such as Dubai, the Maldives, Thailand, the Caribbean, and more.

We are now searching for ambitious and driven Travel Specialists to join our team. Our Travel Specialists are responsible for curating memorable holiday itineraries by using their in-depth knowledge to provide an unforgettable experience. They are highly motivated, enthusiastic and proactive with a thirst for sales, travelling and ensuring our customers get an unrivalled customer experience from enquiry to returning back from their holiday.

• Speak with our direct customers and travel agents to create tailor-made and exciting holiday itineraries.
• Proactively follow up on sales leads and work to achieve and exceed sales targets.
• Use our ‘Sales Framework’ to ensure you fully understand customers’ requirements and offer the best overall experience.
• Use a variety of systems, including GDS, to book all elements of the customer’s holiday.
• Continuously look for sales opportunities and drive repeat business.
• Deal with the full lifecycle of customer queries and service from pre- to post-departure.

• A thirst for understanding our destinations and products.
• Previous travel sales experience is essential, as we like our Specialists to have a real hunger for closing the sale.
• Be obsessive about our customers and the service we provide in order to enhance their enjoyment of our holidays.
• Excellent telephone manner with the ability to build rapport very quickly with customers.
• Ability to prioritise workload and show a high level of urgency, flexibility and quick thinking, with a highly organised approach.
• High attention to detail, with accurate grammar and numerical skills.
• Enthusiasm, motivation and a passion for delivering excellent sales and service with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Experience of working with Microsoft applications (preferred but not essential) and able to pick up new systems easily.
• Experience using a GDS system such as Amadeus is preferred but not essential.

• An induction programme to ensure you are fully prepared to engage with our customers.
• Sales and system training continues throughout your time with us, enabling you to progress through your career path.
• Access to extensive in-house learning and development programmes.
• Regular supplier training, events and familiarisation trips throughout the year to further increase your destination knowledge.
• Annual objectives will be set and reviewed quarterly to ensure you are developing to your full potential, whether that’s within the sales team or if future opportunities present themselves within the business.
• Working closely with the Team Leaders and management team, you will be given the full support you need to be successful within your role during your probationary period.

• Competitive basic salary and commission structure.
• Various employee discounts and offers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Contributory Pension scheme.
• Career progression opportunities.