Tour Director

Overview

COMPANY SUMMARY

At Holiday Vacations, our mission is to enrich lives with valued travel experiences. We offer inclusive guided tours led by professional Tour Directors to more than 70 destinations on six continents. We travel by air, motor coach, trains, and cruises on itineraries that bring the destination alive for our guests. We are headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and are a subsidiary of Xanterra Travel Collection, the largest national park concessionaire in the U.S. Xanterra also owns other tour operator and cruise line brands including VBT Bicycling Vacations, Country Walkers, and Windstar Cruises.

POSITION SUMMARY

Our Tour Directors play a crucial role in delivering on Holiday Vacations’ guest service promise. As the primary guide and main point of contact, the Tour Director ensures an exceptional experience for our guests and serves as an ambassador for the Holiday Vacations brand. This position involves guiding groups through airports, restaurants, attractions, and hotels, adhering to a structured itinerary, and solving unexpected travel situations.

The Tour Director researches and provides insightful commentary and information on the historical, geographical, and cultural aspects of the destinations while on tour.

WELCOME TO “THE HV WAY”

• Honesty & Integrity: We act with honesty and accountability, building trust with every guest, partner, and teammate. We keep our promises.
• Create Community: We create community by treating each other and our guests like extended family, fostering belonging, celebrating, and supporting one another.
• Surprise & Delight: We go beyond expectations to create meaningful experiences. We make every effort to exceed expectations.
• Grow Together: We embrace curiosity, feedback, and continuous learning – always striving to be better and do better.
• Innovate Boldly: We seek fresh ideas, adapt to change, and look for ways to stay ahead in a dynamic travel landscape.
• Protect What Matters: We prioritize safety and sustainability for our people, our guests, and the places we explore.
• Celebrate the Team: We succeed together, value each person’s gifts and contributions, and take time to enjoy the journey along the way.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Lead the tour from start to finish, taking full ownership for on‑tour delivery and creating a safe, smooth, and memorable experience for every guest.
• Navigate all on‑the‑ground travel logistics and day‑to‑day tour operations; execute the structured itinerary; coordinate transportation, hotels, and meals; manage check‑ins and departures; and ensure all guests are accounted for at each destination.
• Provide exceptional guest service by clearly communicating daily plans and expectations; sharing destination and cultural information; answering questions; and offering ideas for optional activities during leisure time.
• Communicate with guests, suppliers, and vendors with enthusiasm, clarity, and professionalism; represent Holiday Vacations in a positive, service‑minded manner; and resolve issues in a calm, solution‑focused way.
• Communicate tour changes, updates, and other important information to guests in a timely manner through the HV Traveler’s app and other approved communication methods.
• Use sound judgment and established Holiday Vacations emergency protocols to respond to issues and incidents; assess the situation and determine the appropriate response; follow defined procedures and documentation requirements; and contact Holiday Vacations support for complex situations or medical emergencies.
• Complete pre‑tour preparation, including reviewing contracts, itineraries, and other pertinent documents; confirming hotel, restaurant, attraction, and transportation reservations; and conducting pre‑tour calls to all guests.
• Participate in pre‑tour briefing meetings with the Tour Director Manager and Destinations Team to review tour details, align expectations, and share insights that support continuous improvement of itineraries and the guest experience.
• Use Holiday Vacations technology tools with confident proficiency, including a Surface device, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, the HV Traveler’s app, and electronic…