Destination Manager

at  Xanterra Travel Collection

Overview:
Are you passionate about crafting unforgettable travel experiences? At Holiday Vacations, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional tours that surprise and delight our guests, all while fostering a company culture that values innovation and teamwork. As a Destination Manager, you will take full ownership of creating memorable journeys that captivate our guests and drive revenue. Join us in shaping the future of travel while working alongside a dynamic and supportive team!

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

The Destination Manager plays a vital role within Holiday Vacations, overseeing the full product lifecycle from planning to operational delivery. This position involves analyzing, planning, and negotiating assigned products to ensure market competitiveness. A deep understanding of the competitive landscape for each destination is essential, along with focused oversight to maximize tour revenue, occupancy, and profitability while maintaining strict cost controls.
With an emphasis on innovation and guest satisfaction, the Destination Manager identifies and integrates unique and cost-effective elements that enhance the guest experience. Success in this role requires a blend of entrepreneurial creativity and precise fiscal management to uncover opportunities, eliminate sales barriers, and address complex business challenges.
Responsibilities:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience plus two years of experience in tourism, sales, marketing, business administration, and/or travel-related experience.
• Preference will be given to candidates with at least three years of management experience in the travel industry, specifically with product and commercial responsibilities related to similar revenue targets.
• Preference provided to candidates with two years of supervisory management experience.
• Must be a team player with the ability to work with various departments and staff members of all levels, including senior executives.
• Ability to produce work at the executive level.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to direct the actions of others.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to problem-solve and work under pressure of immediate deadlines.
• Candidates must possess advanced computer skills in Excel, including proficiency with pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and macros, as well as experience with Microsoft Office; preference will be given to those with database and/or Microsoft Dynamics skills.
• Candidates must have significant knowledge of various destinations and experience with the travel methods included in our tour packages, such as motor coaches, cruises, trains, and aircraft.

TECHNICAL AND HOME-OFFICE REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a distraction-free workspace/environment with space for a desktop computer with two monitors.
• Must have a stable power source and internet connection, including a dedicated high-speed internet and ethernet connection.
• Connection cannot be wireless, Wi-Fi extenders, Wi-Fi repeaters, or hotspots.
• Ability to plug in your equipment to modem/router during work times.
  BENEFITS: For full-time employees, Holiday Vacations offers a comprehensive benefits package including: Medical, Dental & Vision; HSA & FSA; Life & Disability; Accident, Hospital & Critical Illness; Pet Insurance; Paid Time Off and Holiday Paid Time Off; 401(k) with Company Match; Employee Assistance Plan; Education Assistance; and Employee Discounts and Travel Deals.
  EEO: Holiday Vacations is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status

• Supervise the workload of assigned Destination Specialist(s), potentially collaborating with other Destination Managers sharing the same specialists.
• Ensure Destination Specialists receive coaching, training, and development needed for success.
• Provide regular feedback and performance evaluations to support growth and accountability.
• Set clear expectations, delegate tasks effectively, and monitor progress to maintain high performance standards.
• Address performance issues promptly, offering guidance and corrective action as needed to improve results.
• Support the professional development of Destination Specialists by identifying opportunities for skills enhancement and career growth.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages open communication and continuous learning.
  Qualifications: