A holiday representative, often called a holiday rep, is responsible for looking after guests on package holidays at overseas resorts or within the UK. Their main duties include welcoming holidaymakers at the airport, organising and leading activities and excursions, providing information about the local area, and handling any issues or complaints guests may have during their stay. The role requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a friendly and positive attitude. Holiday reps often work long and irregular hours and must be adaptable to different cultures and environments. This job can be a great way to travel and meet new people, but it can also be demanding, especially during busy holiday periods.
Holiday representatives in the UK typically earn between £15,000 and £21,000 per year, with experienced reps earning up to £25,000.
There are an estimated 12,000 people employed as holiday representatives or similar roles in the UK tourism sector.
Many holiday representative roles are seasonal, with peak hiring taking place in spring and summer months.
Specialises in looking after families with children at holiday resorts, organising activities and ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests.
Works with holidaymakers who are interested in adventure sports or outdoor activities, arranging excursions such as hiking, kayaking, or cycling.
Focuses on organising nightlife, entertainment, and social events for young adults in holiday destinations, ensuring a lively and engaging experience.
Finish your GCSEs, focusing on subjects like English and languages.
Most employers require a good standard of general education, including GCSEs in English and possibly a modern foreign language. Strong communication skills are essential, and language skills can give you an advantage in this career.
Take a college course related to travel, tourism, or hospitality.
Courses such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism, or a Certificate in Hospitality, can help you gain specialist knowledge and improve your chances of being hired. Some employers provide on-the-job training, but having a qualification is beneficial.
Work in roles involving customer service, such as retail or hospitality.
Experience working with people is highly valued. Part-time jobs in shops, restaurants, or hotels can develop your communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills. These are all abilities you will need as a Holiday Rep.
Improve your language skills to work in international destinations.
Many holiday destinations are abroad, so being able to speak another language, such as Spanish, French, or Greek, is a major advantage. Even basic conversational skills can make you more attractive to employers.
Look for Holiday Rep vacancies with travel companies and tour operators.
Jobs are advertised on travel company websites, job boards, and recruitment agencies specialising in tourism. Apply with a tailored CV highlighting your customer service experience, language skills, and any relevant qualifications.
Prepare for interviews and group assessments.
Many employers use group activities and role-plays to assess your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Be ready to show how you deal with customers and handle challenging situations.
Tour guides lead groups of visitors around attractions or places of interest, providing information and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Travel agents help clients plan and book holidays, offering advice on destinations, accommodation, and travel arrangements.
Event coordinators organise and manage events such as conferences, weddings, or festivals, often within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Holiday Representative. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Holiday Representative and a Resort Representative both involve assisting tourists with their needs, organising activities, and providing information about the destination. Both roles require strong communication skills, customer service abilities, and knowledge of the holiday area to ensure guests have a positive experience.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a college course in travel and tourism or customer service, which may be helpful when looking for work.
If you want to work with children on their holidays, for example organising activities, then doing a childcare qualification at college could be useful.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
To apply directly for resort representative jobs, you'll usually need:
If you apply for a job as a children's representative, you may need a qualification in childcare, though companies will often give training to successful applicants.
It's important to check job descriptions carefully when applying to make sure you know exactly what skills are required. For example, as a winter sports activities representative, the ability to ski may be needed, though for ski resort hotel reps, this may not be the case.
It can be helpful if you have a working knowledge of one or more foreign languages, although tour companies may offer training in basic language skills for the country you'll be working in.
Many jobs are seasonal, so salaries and hours can vary. Often, you can top up your monthly pay with commission on products you sell to holidaymakers, for example extra day trips or passes to attractions. Your accommodation may also be included as part of your contract.
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