Reservations Sales Agent

Job Description
Job Number 23127061
Job Category Reservations
Location Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge, Portswood Road, Cape Town, South Africa, South Africa VIEW ON MAP
Schedule Full-Time
Located Remotely? N
Relocation? N
Position Type Non-Management
POSITION SUMMARY

Process all reservation requests, changes, and cancellations received by phone, fax, or mail. Identify guest reservation needs and determine appropriate room type. Verify availability of room type and rate. Explain guarantee, special rate, and cancellation policies to callers. Accommodate and document special requests. Answer questions about property facilities/services and room accommodations. Follow sales techniques to maximize revenue. Input and access data in reservation system. Indicate special room reservation types (e.g., complimentary rooms, employee discounts, travel agent inspection rates, and wholesale reservations) by inputting the correct code and rate into the reservation system. Follow proper escalation procedures when addressing guest concerns.

Follow all company policies and procedures; ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional; maintain confidentiality of proprietary information; protect company assets; protect the privacy and security of guests and coworkers. Welcome and acknowledge all guests according to company standards; anticipate and address guests’ service needs; assist individuals with disabilities; thank guests with genuine appreciation. Speak with others using clear and professional language; answer telephones using appropriate etiquette. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others; support team to reach common goals; listen and respond appropriately to the concerns of other employees. Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards. Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 10 pounds without assistance. Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by Supervisors.

CRITICAL TASKS

Policies and Procedures

Protect the privacy and security of guests and coworkers.
Maintain confidentiality of proprietary materials and information.
Follow company and department policies and procedures.
Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by Supervisors.
Guest Relations

Actively listen and respond positively to guest questions, concerns, and requests using brand or property specific process (e.g., LEARN, PLEASED, Guest Response, LEAP) to resolve issues, delight, and build trust.
Address guests’ service needs in a professional, positive, and timely manner.
Anticipate guests’ service needs, including asking questions of guests to better understand their needs and watching/listening to guest preferences and acting on them whenever possible.
Welcome and acknowledge each and every guest with a smile, eye contact, and a friendly verbal greeting, using the guest’s name when possible.
Thank guests with genuine appreciation and provide a fond farewell.
Engage guests in conversation regarding their stay, property services, and area attractions/offerings.
Communication

Speak to guests and co-workers using clear, appropriate and professional language.
Answer telephones using appropriate etiquette including answering the phone within 3 rings, answering with a smile in one’s voice, using the callers’ name, transferring calls to appropriate person/department, requesting permission before placing the caller on hold, taking and relaying messages, and allowing the caller to end the call.
Talk with and listen to other employees to effectively exchange information.
Working with Others

Support all co-workers and treat them with dignity and respect.
Handle sensitive issues with employees and/or guests with tact, respect, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards.
Physical Tasks

Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 10 pounds without assistance.
Reservation Services

Verify all reservation information with callers to ensure accuracy.
Accommodate and document special requests in an accurate and efficient manner.
Determine the most appropriate room type to meet guest requirements and maximize room rate.
Explain guarantee and cancellation policies to callers.
Describe room accommodations and benefit feature sale amenities to guests.
Use sales techniques when assisting guests in making reservations, including personalizing calls, obtaining complete guest needs, suggesting alternate dates or directing guests to sister properties on sold out days.
Answer guest questions about property facilities/services (e.g., hours of operation, room availability, restricted dates, rates and room types, packages, promotions, entertainment, restaurants, special events).
Assign confirmation/cancellation numbers and clearly relay this information to callers, giving them the option of emailing and/or faxing these numbers.
Identify guest reservation needs by asking open-ended questions to obtain all necessary information, including enrollment in Marriott Rewards program.
Follow “up selling” techniques and sales strategies in order to maximize property revenue.
Identify repeat guests using appropriate codes.
Reservation Processing

Inform guests of rules and regulations regarding qualifying rates (e.g., government and special corporate rates and discounts).
Input and access data in reservation system by entering correct information into proper fields, including Marriott Rewards number, and asking for travel agency IATA and FIT numbers (i.e., flags, comments, guest messages).
Verify availability of room type, rate, and occupancy before confirming any reservations.
Process all reservation requests, changes, and cancellations received by phone, fax, or mail.
Indicate special room reservation types (e.g., complimentary rooms, employee discounts, travel agent inspection rates, and wholesale reservations) by inputting the correct code and rate into the reservation system.
Guest Relations

Follow proper escalation procedures when addressing guest concerns.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

Analytical Skills

Computer Skills
Learning
Interpersonal Skills

Customer Service Orientation
Interpersonal Skills
Team Work
Diversity Relations
Communications

Telephone Etiquette Skills
English Language Proficiency
Listening
Communication
Applied Reading
Personal Attributes

Integrity
Dependability
Positive Demeanor
Sales

Typing
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

High school diploma/G.E.D. equivalent

Related Work Experience

No related work experience is required

Supervisory Experience

No supervisory experience is required

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the leading hospitality brand in Africa and one of the most widely recognized hospitality brands on the continent, with over 60 hotels across South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda. If you have a passion for delivering every guest a personalized service experience and desire to be part of the ‘Coolest Hotel Brand in South Africa’, join the Protea Hotels by Marriott® team today! In joining Protea Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global​team, and become the best version of you.