Operations & Admin Tourism Internship: Your Journey Starts Here

Who Are We?

Founded in Edinburgh in 2004, Absolute Escapes is an award-winning specialist in walking holidays and tailor-made travel across the UK & Ireland.

We pride ourselves on our first-hand knowledge and attention to detail, which ensures we exceed the expectations of our clients from all over the world. By listening closely to our clients’ needs, we craft unique itineraries that perfectly balance adventure with seamless logistics.

We help people reconnect with nature, their loved ones, and themselves – offering them the time and space to rejuvenate, no matter how busy their lives may be. Every holiday we create is as unique as the person it’s designed for.

Job Description

As part of our exciting growth plans, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and professional individual to join our team as an Operations & Admin Intern. This 4-6 month position is ideal for an undergraduate or recent graduate eager to gain hands-on experience in the fast-paced travel industry, with the potential for the role to develop into a permanent position.

You’ll have the opportunity to share your passion for travel and the outdoors while supporting our operations team, who are just as dedicated to these values as you are. You’ll play an integral role in delivering exceptional walking holidays and tailor-made tours for our UK and international clients.

This is a highly organised role that requires keen attention to detail and strong communication skills – both written and verbal. You’ll be engaging directly with clients and suppliers, ensuring smooth coordination of our services.

This role is perfect for someone with a passion for travel and the outdoors, as well as a strong understanding of the UK & Ireland as a key tourism destination. If you’re looking to kickstart a career in the travel industry, this internship will give you valuable experience and insight into how a dynamic travel company operates.

We’re excited to hear from individuals who are proactive, detail-oriented, and eager to learn in a vibrant and growing company.

Location

This is primarily an office-based role, but you’ll have the flexibility to work remotely for up to 40% of your hours. Absolute Escapes office is located in the heart of Edinburgh at Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Create and Personalise Itineraries: Write detailed, tailor-made itineraries for clients and compile their Information Packs, ensuring all holiday details are clear and accurate.
• Manage Post-Holiday Feedback: Handle post-trip feedback from clients, address any issues that may have arisen during their holidays, and help maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Support Email Management: Oversee multiple email inboxes related to supplier communications, client feedback, and administrative tasks, ensuring prompt and efficient responses.
• Assist Sales & Operations Teams: Provide support to the sales and operations teams on a range of tasks, such as updating content for our text databases and answering the phone for initial client enquiries.
• Booking Management: Handle the Bookings inbox, processing deposits and final payments in line with the weekly schedule.
• Coordinate with Finance: Liaise with the finance department to ensure timely payment to suppliers and the reconciliation of financial accounts.

These duties provide a dynamic mix of customer interaction, creative content, and administrative tasks, offering you the chance to gain diverse skills in the travel industry.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• A genuine passion for travel, walking and the outdoors, coupled with good familiarity of the UK as a tourism destination.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage clearly and professionally via phone and email.
• Excellent organisation skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential.
• A dedication to delivering outstanding customer service and going above and beyond to exceed client expectations.
• A natural people-person who thrives on interacting with a variety of people and relishes working as part of an energetic and enthusiastic team.
• Highly motivated with a strong work ethic, able to take initiative and work independently in a small, entrepreneurial environment.
• Proficient in Google Workspace (especially Google Sheets) and comfortable with various digital tools.
• Ideally educated to degree level or currently an undergraduate, with excellent written and spoken English and strong numerical skills.

Hours

• Monday to Friday
• 09.00 – 17.00
• 35 hours per week with 1 hour for lunch

Start Date

We are flexible on the start date for this role, with the opportunity to begin anytime between March and May 2025. The internship duration can be tailored to suit your availability, with options ranging from 4 to 6 months.

Why Choose to Join Our Team?

• Competitive starting salary of £21,000pa
• Enrolment in the Company’s Pension Scheme
• 20 days annual holiday, increasing to 23 days after 3 years service and 25 days after 5 years service
• 8 public holidays
• An additional 5 days unpaid leave can be taken per annum after successful completion of probationary period
• Flexible working hours including a blend of office-based and remote work arrangements
• Monthly social nights including a company allowance towards entertainment
• Enrolment in Pirkx membership, offering a comprehensive selection of more than 40 well-being benefits aimed at enhancing health, prosperity, and overall happiness
• Fresh fruit deliveries
• Join company volunteering days such as tree planting in the Scottish Borders for the John Muir Trust
• Regular team meetings as well as learning and development opportunities
• Opportunity to progress your career within the company

How to Apply

Please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter explaining why you would be an asset to our team AND describing your favourite place in the UK or Ireland. The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2025:

Email: Andy Gabe – andy@absoluteescapes.com

OR

Post: Andy Gabe, Absolute Escapes, Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT