Destination Specialist

Overview

Are you passionate about crafting unforgettable travel experiences? At Holiday Vacations, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional tours that surprise and delight our guests, all while fostering a company culture that values innovation and teamwork.

Company Summary

At Holiday Vacations, our mission is to enrich lives with valued travel experiences. We offer inclusive guided tours led by professional Tour Directors to more than 80 destinations on six continents. We travel by air, motor coach, trains, and cruises on itineraries that bring the destination alive for our guests. We are headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and are a subsidiary of Xanterra Travel Collection, the largest national park concessionaire in the U.S. Xanterra also owns other tour operator and cruise line brands including VBT Bicycling Vacations, Country Walkers, and Windstar Cruises.

Position Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Destination Specialist. Destination Specialists work collaboratively with a Destination Manager in the proactive management of a portfolio of tours, including planning, buying, contracting, pricing, market release, and tour support. The ideal candidate is organized, goal-oriented, passionate, and ready to develop skills for a career in the travel industry. This opportunity offers both professional development and a long-term career path.

WELCOME TO “THE HV WAY” - At Holiday Vacations, how we work is just as important as what we deliver.

• Honesty & Integrity: We act with honesty and accountability, building trust with every guest, partner, and teammate. We keep our promises.
• Create Community: We create community by treating each other and our guests like extended family, fostering belonging, celebrating, and supporting one another.
• Surprise & Delight: We go beyond expectations to create meaningful experiences. We make every effort to exceed expectations.
• Grow Together: We embrace curiosity, feedback, and continuous learning – always striving to be better and do better.
• Innovate Boldly: We seek fresh ideas, adapt to change, and look for ways to stay ahead in a dynamic travel landscape
• Protect What Matters: We prioritize safety and sustainability for our people, our guests, and the places we explore.
• Celebrate the Team: We succeed together, value each person’s gifts and contributions, and take time to enjoy the journey along the way.
  
  

Responsibilities

CORE COMPETENCIES

At Holiday Vacations, a successful Destination Specialist possesses and demonstrates the following competencies:

• Accountability by taking ownership of their actions and outcomes. They embrace feedback, make improvements when needed, and work diligently to ensure the highest standards in all aspects of their work.
• Attention to Detail by thoroughly reviewing their work, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks. They focus on the small but critical aspects of projects, consistently identifying and correcting errors to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Collaboration by working effectively with others, leveraging individual strengths, and fostering a cooperative environment. They actively listen, share ideas, and respect diverse perspectives to build strong, effective teams.
• Communication Skills by conveying information clearly and effectively across various channels, actively listening to others, and tailoring their messages to ensure mutual understanding and engagement with diverse audiences.
• Critical Thinking by analyzing situations carefully, identifying potential challenges, and evaluating solutions. They approach problems methodically, using logic and creativity to make informed decisions that lead to successful outcomes.
• Negotiation by skillfully finding common ground, managing conflicts, and reaching mutually beneficial agreements that create win-win outcomes.
• Organization & Prioritization by managing their time and resources effectively to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results. They break down tasks, set clear priorities, and adjust as needed to ensure focus on the most critical objectives while balancing competing demands
  
  

Areas Of Responsibilities

• Support Destination Managers with day-to-day management of specific destinations and tours.
• Assist in buying activities, contract negotiations, and maintaining high quality standards.
• Coordinate with internal buyers and subject matter experts for negotiations, pricing, and contracting.
• Maintain accurate and up to date supplier information and vendor services in our Peak 15 software system.
• Manage detailed supplier communications, contracts, and documentation.
• Coordinate onboard cruise events, initiate payments, and book offshore excursions.
• Monitor occupancy, generate reports, and communicate with suppliers.
• Assist in evaluating supplier performance and manage changes, as necessary.
• Collaborate on guest communications, marketing materials, and training sessions.
• Provide support while the tour is running to ensure an exceptional guest experience.
• Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree in purchasing, supply management or equivalent work experience required.
• Preference given for an undergraduate degree in travel, hospitality, business, marketing, or a related field.
• At least one year of relevant travel industry product and commercial experience preferred.
• Strong proficiency with computer applications including Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Word, and Teams) and web conferencing software (Ring Central, Teams).
• Excellent mathematical, analytical, and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Experience traveling by motorcoach, cruise, trains, and aircraft.
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a remote position, the successful candidate must live in the State of Wisconsin and be within a reasonable commute to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND WORK ARRANGEMENTS

Work Location: The preferred work location is the Holiday Vacations corporate headquarters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The office environment may have moderate noise levels from office equipment and verbal interactions.

Schedule: Work hours are during the regular business week, but there may be variations due to the time of year and department demands. This position follows a hybrid work arrangement, involving both in-office and remote work, based on the department's needs. Travel may be required, especially for travel show execution.

Physical Requirements: The job requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time, as well as the ability to frequently walk and lift or carry up to 35 lbs. May require bending, twisting, stooping, grasping, and reaching outward or above shoulders, lift/carry and push or pull up to 50 lbs.

Technical and Home-Office Requirements: Must have a distraction-free workspace/environment with space for a desktop computer with two monitors. Must have a stable power source and internet connection, including a dedicated high-speed internet and ethernet connection. Connection cannot be wireless, Wi-Fi extenders, Wi-Fi repeaters, or hotspots. Ability to plug in your equipment to modem/router during work times.

Benefits: For full-time employees, Holiday Vacations offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental & Vision; HSA & FSA; Life & Disability; Accident, Hospital & Critical Illness; Pet Insurance; Paid Time Off and Holiday Paid Time Off; 401(k) with Company Match; Employee Assistance Plan; Education Assistance; and Employee Travel Discounts and Travel Deals.

EEO: Holiday Vacations is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.