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Travel and Information Consultant

Tasks and duties

Travel and information consultants:

• provide information on transport, accommodation, events, activities and places of interest
• give directions
• reply to correspondence
• organise bookings
• inform customers about entertainment, events, clubs and community organisations
• maintain relationships with suppliers and tour operators
• sell souvenirs and other products
• organise domestic air travel for customers.

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need to know about the region you work in and other destinations around the country.

Skills include:

• customer service, sales and communication
• knowledge of different types of travel and how to make reservations for them
• problem-solving and research skills
• time management and cash handling
• an understanding of the Visitor Information Network (VIN), a network of visitor information centres in New Zealand, and Tourism New Zealand.

Personal qualities

Travel and information consultants need to be:

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

Career progression

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