**Not Your Average Tour Host - Italy / Travel**
The Table Less Traveled (TTLT) is a boutique travel and virtual experience company.
Our business was founded in 2014 as a travel company, offering small group tours (6-12 people) to international destinations with a focus on culinary experiences with locals and artisans.
Although we visit cities frequented by tourists, we curate each day's events with local friends - giving access to venues, experiences, and relationships that aren't otherwise accessible to the general public.
This is a contract, freelance position requiring a 24/7 on-duty work style during tours (typically 9 days), and 1-2 days of preparation before the tour.
This requires work outside of normal business hours and on weekends.
The role will be primarily based in Italy, however virtual trainings, meetings, etc.
will be required pre and post tour as well as outside of "tour seasons" with our fully remote team.
Our Values
We are people people.
We prioritize quality and integrity.
We are insiders.
We act with ownership and partnership.
We are explorers.
The Job Role
The company's team includes the owner (me!
), an operations manager, marketing manager, administrative assistant, and contractors who host virtual experiences, manage clients, etc.
This role is a representative of our business and brand to our clients, partners, and vendors.
This includes:
- Providing hospitality and having a people-oriented attitude
- Building relationships with vendors and clients
- Available to travelers around the clock during trips
- Participating in activities with travelers
- Bridging connections by introducing travelers to friends in Italy
- Crisis management - injuries, plan changes due to inclement weather
- Liaise between office & ground handlers
- Cash management for tips, etc.
There will also be overlap in working on the overall business strategy with sales & marketing given that you will be a main contact point for the customer and will have valuable feedback from your interactions and first-hand knowledge of trips.
You will be tasked with supporting multiple teams within the business like (1) marketing - creating content, (2) operations - quality control and process management, (3) business development - preparing travelers before their trips, and communicating with them after a trip to maintain a relationship and potentially to suggest future trips to alternate destinations.
**Responsibilities**:
- Hosting 6-12 travelers at a time in Italy
- Developing & maintaining relationships with our vendors - guides, drivers, 'in home chefs', etc.
- Taking photos and videos of clients, groups, to be used in marketing and photobooks
- Uploading onto Google Drive all photos and videos on a daily basis during trips for access by marketing
- Optional: creating content or takeovers for Instagram and other social media platforms
- Managing cash and keeping diligent records of cash payments and tips
- Greeting travelers upon arrival to their destination and creating a welcoming environment
- Leading an introduction briefing on the first day of a trip, giving information about the trip to all travelers and answering any questions
- Managing emergency situations such as injuries and ailments
- Coordinating, purchasing, and presenting special gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
- Coordinating, purchasing supplies for, and packaging arrival goodie bags and small souvenir gifts for clients along the journey
- Coordinating, purchasing and packaging gifts for vendors and suppliers
- Occasionally visiting hotels, tour operators and suppliers to review for quality control and evaluate whether they would be a good vendor to work with
- Problem solving customer service issues while clients are in-country (ex.
changes in itinerary, flight delays, weather interruptions, etc.
)
- Modifying itineraries on our online tool for access by customers when there are changes in meeting times, etc.
- Panning and carrying back up supplies needed on a daily basis - extra water, first aid kit, sunscreen, etc.
- Sharing stories and engaging groups in positive conversation
- Identifying individuals who may need extra attention and creating a relationship of trust with them
- Sharing fun facts and information about the destinations we visit; we hire local tour guides on a day to day basis but travelers often have questions outside of those hours
- Making introductions for travelers to the people they will meet along our journey and maintaining relationships with the suppliers and friends we visit
- Creating options for solutions to evaluate with the owner and an emphasis on problem solving
Qualifications and Skills
- Travel experience required - must have traveled internationally and domestically by yourself, with others, and for work
- Hospitality experience required - working in restaurants, hotels, or some other client-facing, customer-service role
- Must be current on all vaccinations
- Must have a passport and b