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Tasks may include:

• providing information on transport, accommodation, events and activities
• replying to correspondence
• organising bookings
• maintaining relationships with suppliers and tour operators
• promoting and selling events, attractions and package tours
• selling a range of goods such as stamps, souvenirs, postcards and maps
• organising domestic air travel.

Skills and knowledge

Travel and information consultants need to have up-to-date knowledge of the region they work in and other destinations around the country. They also need to know about accommodation, attractions, sightseeing tours, entertainment and events.

They also need to have:

• good customer service, sales and communication skills
• knowledge about different methods of travel, and how to make reservations
• good problem solving skills
• research skills
• time management skills and the ability to quickly evaluate customers’ needs
• an understanding of the Visitor Information Network (VIN), a network of visitor information centres in New Zealand, and Tourism New Zealand
• cash handling skills.

Personal qualities

To be a travel and information consultant you need to be:

• able to relate to people from a wide range of cultures
• friendly and patient, with a sense of humour
• positive and helpful
• resourceful
• able to work well as part of a team
• able to work well under pressure.

Career progression

Travel and information consultants working in a large information centre may progress to becoming a supervisor or an office manager. They may also move into other tourism and tourism-related jobs such as working as a travel agent or for an airline.