JUN 2019 – OCT 2020 – Tour Representative

In June 2019 I took the plunge into tourism working for an amazing local company specialising in Group Breaks & Events in the UK and across Europe, providing for Line Dancing, Ukulele, the 60s-90s Music Festivals, Skittles, Pétanque, Military and group reunions.

IOW Tours also won the Best Group Travel Award 2020.

June 2019 to October 2020

Role

Take bookings, payments, and special requests for reunions from across the country, be it for the Army, Navy or RAF.
Arrange with the organisers their hotels, venues, entertainment, gala dinners, AGMs, and day trips (including boats, coaches, and trains).
Confirm with venues, client, and group food/drink requirements, such as brands and specific dietary requests.
Ensure the hotel and venues were aware of disabilities and arrange personalised support and evacuation plans for those with specific needs like hearing or walking difficulties.
Distribute updates such as itineraries, daily orders, and tickets, either by post or e-shots.
To be on-site at the venue before the event to ensure appropriate rooms were allocated and available at scheduled times, guest allergies and specific requirements were met.
To set up and check-in guests and be a visible presence throughout the duration of their stay to ensure guests are catered for and directed to function rooms, restaurants, and coaches; and to travel with the group if required to provide information, guidance, assisted entrance, further transport and lunches.
To set up and present function rooms for Gala Dinners, providing balloons, custom menus, name places, table plans, equipment for loyal toasts, speeches, games, entertainment, and raffles.
Be in eye-shot of group organisers and guests during evening socialisation to jump into action to assist.
Be up early each day to greet the guests and stay up late or early to make sure they safely make it back to their rooms.
Deal with medical emergencies and consult with hotel staff or emergency services and to notify their listed contacts if required.
Take notes throughout the event, for guest requests, schedule changes, allowing issues to be corrected, feedback to the venue and the organiser and the business to make relevant changes for future events.

Endorsements & Feedback

I have known David Richardson for many years initially as a friend but aware of just how hard he worked when he was the computer support for the schools on the Island.

When we had a position arise within our reunions department it became obvious to me that with the need to streamline our procedures in the office and his open and conscientious nature, he would be perfect for the position.

He had the transferable computer skills that we did not have in the office and knew that he could help us to improve our efficiency and in addition, he had the personality to look after these very important groups within our business.

After a very short while, David became a very competent and efficient member of the team and the customers loved him even the more difficult ones. He showed total commitment to this position and his ability to deal with difficult situations as they arose.

Sadly, the pandemic hit in March and as I am sure you are aware as a tour operator, we could not operate any of the tours booked. David came into his own throughout this very difficult period making the job of advising all the clients at the same time using his computer skills to the utmost.

He was able to manipulate our Postori customer data into emails at the touch of a button and then followed up the emails with calls to our customers dealing with the very difficult task of explaining the options open to the customer.

I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending him to any company as they would get an amazing employee to anyone who hired him.
Shirley Winn
Managing Director of IOW Tours Ltd

As regular attendees of the WRAF reunions, we would like to pass on a “Big Thanks” to your Rep Dave who looked after us this weekend. He was totally professional, very helpful, friendly and an asset to the company
WRAF
2019

On behalf of all the members who went on the fantastic weekend to the National Arboretum organised by your company. We had the most amazing weekend with plenty of laughs, making special memories.

BRAVO ZULU goes to Dave, he was thrown into the deep end with us girls, please could you tell him to stand by for next year.
WRENS, Solent Branch
2019