Customer Service Sales

Travel Agent ● Corporate Reservationist ● Travel Sales & Marketing

Successful Travel Consultant with cross functional sales and customer service experience throughout the travel industry in corporate call centers, major airports and private travel agency environments. Provide multifaceted travel consultation with an established knowledge of domestic and international travel destinations organizing arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, rentals, tours and recreation. Advise clients on customs regulations, required travel documents, mandatory immunizations and currency exchange rates for international travel. Strive to provide excellent customer service and maintain an excellent track record for managing, retaining and growing corporate and leisure accounts.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Travel Sales & Consultation

Customer Service & Support

Relationship Building

Time Management

Cost-effective Negotiations

Promotional Sales & Marketing

Problem Analysis & Resolution

Flight Schedule Coordination

Staff Training & Supervision On-site Vendor Inspections

Corporate Sales Management

Key Account Development

KEY STRENGTHS

• Technically proficient, including comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and GDS System – Sabre

• Fluent in Portuguese, competent in Spanish

• International business work experience and traveler

EDUCATION

Associates Degree, Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI

Emphasis: Travel and Tourism Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Garber/FCm Travel Solutions, Warwick, RI

Corporate Travel Consultant 1997 – Present

• Earned a position in the President’s Circle after receiving awards in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 for recognition of outstanding performance, including positive attitude, customer service expertise and superb teamwork, for exceeding $2-3 million in sales revenue

• Develop and carry out initiatives to ensure the highest quality of service is delivered in the travel industry considering cost, safety, timeliness and efficiency practices

• Maintain relationships with travel vendors, while benchmarking discount programs against industry best practices and researching and negotiating most favorable rates for overall discounts

• Arrange domestic and international travel for US based travelers and prepare required travel documents, including those needed for international travel such as visas and passports

• Selected to service and negotiate contracts for key global corporate accounts, including a $1.3 billion dollar leading athletic products company, for the 2000 Olympic Sydney Games, and a Fortune 1000, $3.7 billion insurance company, for their meeting and travel needs

• Project lead on global hotel project for key corporate account, oversaw a comprehensive review of client’s hotel list to select new preferred hotels while renegotiating prices

• Developed, implemented and provided training to corporate travel planners and travelers

Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI

Group Sales Agent 1995 – 1997

Was responsible for coordinating with Group Administrators and facilitating their group sales requirements for theatrical events. Led a project to automate the Group Sales Department, switched from a manual system to an MS Excel database, which reduced staff administration time by 50%.

Northstar Aviation, Warwick, RI

Customer Service Representative 1992 – 1995

Was responsible for providing customer service as an FBO and CSO to airlines pilots, private aircraft pilots and passengers and researching aviation billing issues. Initiated proactive measures to analyze and problem-solve customer related issues by following up with clients to ensure service needs were being met.

Patriotravel, Pawtucket, RI

Travel Services Manager 1991 - 1992

Was responsible for overseeing retail leisure and ethnic travel for entire organization and ensuring clients were provided with excellent customer service. Coordinated and led a travel group bus tour of 150 people to Washington, DC.

Weiner Travel, Providence, RI

Travel Agent 1990 – 1991

Was responsible for booking travel for retail leisure clients. Led an initiative that introduced an ethnic niche to the agency, resulting in a new travel division that increased sales by 20%.

America Travel/Festive Tours/Azores Express, East Providence, RI

Travel Agent, Tour Guide and In-Flight Representative 1985 – 1990

Was responsible for booking travel for retail leisure clients, providing travel expertise as a tour guide and airport representative and providing in-flight services aboard Azores Express. Received outstanding performance awards in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 for exceeding $1 million in sales revenue.

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