Travel Specialist

Founded in Edinburgh in 2004, Absolute Escapes is an award-winning specialist in walking holidays and tailor-made travel across the UK & Ireland.

We pride ourselves on our first-hand knowledge and attention to detail, which ensures we exceed the expectations of our clients from all over the world. By listening closely to our clients’ needs, we craft unique itineraries that perfectly balance adventure with seamless logistics.

We help people reconnect with nature, their loved ones, and themselves – offering them the time and space to rejuvenate, no matter how busy their lives may be. Every holiday we create is as unique as the person it’s designed for.

Job Description

As part of our exciting growth plans, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and professional individual to join our team as a Travel Specialist. Working at Absolute Escapes you will be able to share your passion for travel and the outdoors by providing amazing experiences for our clients who are as passionate about travel as you are.

The role will play an integral part in delivering the walking holidays and tailor-made tours that we provide for our UK and international clients. You will be highly organised with meticulous attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills, as you will be working with our clients and suppliers in the tourism industry.

You will be involved in both the sales and operational sides of the business. This will include creating unique itineraries for our clients, converting leads into bookings, creating our client documentation, managing client feedback and providing administrative support to the operations and marketing team.

This role would suit someone with a keen interest in travel and the outdoors, as well as a good knowledge of the UK and Ireland as tourism destinations, and who is looking to develop a career in the industry.

Location

While this is an office-based role, there is the opportunity to combine this with remote working for 40% of your working hours. Absolute Escapes office is located in the heart of Edinburgh at Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Convert Enquiries into Bookings: Create inspiring, tailored quotations and manage the customer journey from initial enquiry through to confirmed booking.
• Build Client Relationships: Develop strong relationships with clients from around the world, using your destination knowledge and expertise to create exceptional travel experiences.
• Create and Personalise Clients’ Itineraries: Compile tailor-made and walking itineraries for clients, ensuring all details are clear and accurate and that internal processes have been followed.
• Manage Post-Holiday Feedback: Handle post-trip feedback from clients, address any issues that may have arisen during their holidays, and help maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Support Email Management: Oversee multiple email inboxes related to supplier communications, client feedback, and administrative tasks, ensuring prompt and efficient responses.
• Assist Sales and Operations Teams: Provide support to the sales and operations teams on a range of tasks, such as updating content for our database and answering the phone for supplier and client queries.
• Office Administration: Administrative tasks such as managing postage, ordering stock and office supplies

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• A genuine passion for travel, walking and the outdoors, coupled with good familiarity of the UK and Ireland as tourism destinations
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build genuine client relationships, understand their needs, inspire them with ideas and confidently convert enquiries into bookings.
• Commercially aware and results-focused, with a willingness to take ownership of sales targets and contribute to the wider success of the business.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with an ability to interact clearly and professionally by phone and email
• Excellent organisation skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential
• A strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences and exceeding expectations
• A real people person who thrives on interacting with a variety of people and relishes working as part of an energetic and enthusiastic team
• A high level of motivation and outstanding work ethic with the ability to work on your own initiative within a small entrepreneurial business
• Excellent computer literacy with fluency in Google Workspace, including Google Sheets
• Although a degree is not essential, an excellent command of both written and spoken English and strong numerical skills are required

Hours

• Monday to Friday
• 09.00 – 17.00
• 35 hours per week with 1 hour for lunch

Start Date

Ideally, the start date for this role will be November 2026. However, we can be flexible by a few weeks for the right candidate.

Why Choose to Join Our Team?

• Competitive starting salary of £24,500 pa
• Participate in a performance-driven bonus program tied to the company’s sales objectives, accessible upon the successful completion of the probationary period
• Enrolment in the Company’s Pension Scheme
• 20 days annual holiday, increasing to 23 days after 3 years service and 25 days after 5 years service
• 8 public holidays
• An additional 5 days unpaid leave can be taken per annum after successful completion of probationary period
• Flexible working hours including a blend of office-based and remote work arrangements
• 1 week’s fully paid research trip in your first 2 years with the company. Previous research trips have included Cornwall, Shetland, the Outer Hebrides, and walking the West Highland Way
• 3 month unpaid sabbatical available after 5 years of service
• Monthly social nights including a company allowance towards entertainment
• Enrollment in Pirkx Benefits Platform, offering a comprehensive selection of more than 40 well-being benefits aimed at enhancing health, prosperity, and overall happiness
• Join company volunteering days such as tree planting in the Scottish Borders for the John Muir Trust
• Regular team meetings as well as learning and development opportunities
• Opportunity to progress your career within the company

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