Position Summary
With the direction of the Visitor Services Manager, the Visitor Services/Reservation Specialist acts as an information resource for all individuals requesting information about the destination as well as provides support to the Visitor Service Department for data, report and on-line hotel reservation entry.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include the following, but are not limited to)
1. Answers telephone calls, email and walk-in inquiries for Visitor Services Dept. Remains in phone queue in high volume periods. Makes online reservations through in-house reservations system, aRes Travel, while manning the front desk.
2. Maintains a working knowledge of the destination's highways, transportation systems, public and private attractions and recreation areas, events, weather conditions, accommodations and tourist attractions.
3. Assists all walk-in visitors in the lobby for meetings or obtaining information.
4. Ensures that visitor information publications are well stocked in the brochure racks in the lobby, outside the lobby and on display tables; disposes of out-dated materials.
5. Assist marketing departments with data entry of marketing information retrieval, distribution, sales and advertising lead responses, and direct-mail distribution. Also assist with social media and calendar of events.
6. Secondary to receive requests for bulk orders: offers information to clients placing large orders as described by office policy, logs orders into database, and processes orders for distribution if needed, processes payments and tracks delivery of orders and receives payment and records receipts for services.
7. Secondary for all Visitor Service Department report processing.
8. Other duties as requested by Visitor Service Manager or VP of Tourism and Visitor Services.
Qualifications:
Experience, Competencies & Education
1. Minimum 2 years customer service experience
2. Strong customer service skills and excellent telephone manner.
3. Any combination of training and experience equivalent to the graduation from High School.
4. Effective oral and written communication skills.
5. Strong visual skills (such as reading and interpreting maps and brochures).
6. Data entry experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office required.
7. Ability to move heavy stacks of collateral.
8. Initiative to handle routine problems.
9. Keen knowledge of the Washington Metro area and its environs.
10. College degree preferred.
Salary/Compensation:
Non-exempt position
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, and 401(k) available.
Additional Comments:
About Destination DC:
Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of nearly 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.washington.org
Interested in an exciting career in event planning? Want experience working in a creative environment? District Experience is a new full-service boutique Destination Management Company (DMC) offering creative solutions for special events, tour programs, transportation and meeting support for corporate and association groups in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. We are seeking qualified candidates who are interested in careers in event planning, marketing and sales in the hospitality & tourism industry. As a new boutique company, interns will get hands-on experience with all aspects of the business and will assist with building new business. This is a high-energy, fast-paced environment; so impeccable organizational skills and ability to multitask are a must. We work hard, but we have fun doing it! Interns will be expected to assist as needed on evening or weekend/holiday events as needed.
This position will give qualified candidates experience in event planning and management, tour and transportation management, marketing and sales.
Responsibilities Include:
• Research on area restaurants, venues, activities, attractions for entry into database.
• Development of creative descriptions for proposal templates.
• Assistance with Marketing efforts, including e-newsletters, e-mail blasts, cold-calling, Website SEO.
• Onsite event/tour/transportation coordination assistance.
• Assistance with proposals as needed.
• Assistance with planning and program management as needed.
• Emails/Cold Calls to prospect lists and database entry.
Qualifications:
Required Skills
• At least 3 years at an accredited university with expectation to graduate from a full 4-year university.
• Demonstrated writing skills.
• Must have excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint required)
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented.
• Flexibility and ability to learn new skills quickly.
Desired Skills
• Pursuing a degree in Hospitality or Marketing preferred, but not necessary.
• Experience with Search Engine Optimization, Dreamweaver, Photoshop.
• Experience with online blogging.
Salary/Compensation:
This is an unpaid internship.
Stipend for travel expenses to be provided.
Additional Comments:
Dates and Hours of Commitment
• Mid-May - end of July/Early August 2012
• 20-30 hours per week
• Some weekend/evening/holiday work as needed for onsite event assistance
Location:
• Downtown DC (6 blocks from Convention Center/Mount Vernon Square Metro)
• Free street parking available.
202-789-7000 FAX 202-789-7037
