Tourism Coordinator I

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

State of South Carolina invites applications for a Tourism Coordinator I at the Hardeeville Welcome Center. You will provide exceptional visitor information and promote SC destinations to enhance stays and spending.

The role requires strong customer service, good communication, and teamwork across departments. Responsibilities include maintaining literature inventory, data entry of traveler research, and participating in ongoing training to deepen knowledge of South Carolina tourism products and

Qualifications

• Must have strong customer service skills and the ability to communicate effectively with visitors.
• Willingness to participate in regular training to expand knowledge of SC tourism products.
• Experience in public contact or hospitality is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to visitors at the Welcome Center.
• Promote South Carolina destinations and accommodations to visitors to extend stays and spending.
• Expand knowledge of SC tourism products and center operations through regular training.
• Maintain inventory of literature and promotional materials to support visitor information.
• Gather and enter traveler research information into database.
• Maintain good working relationships with Visitor Service staff and partners to meet goals.
• Promote teamwork with PRT departments and external tourism partners.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree in hospitality/marketing/PR/retail

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The South Carolina Welcome Center Program exists to increase travel expenditures and expand economic development within the state's tourism industry. The centers generate millions of dollars annually in additional travel revenue by simplifying the travel planning experience and offering complimentary services and proactive one-on-one marketing by our highly trained staff. The South Carolina Welcome Centers make complimentary accommodation and attraction reservations for travelers at no cost to our industry partners. The intent is to offer quality customer service and to "close the sale" in an effort to maximize tourism expenditures in the state.

Job Purpose And Duties

Tourism Coordinator I's are to provide excellent customer service to every visitor of the Welcome Center, increase visitor spending in South Carolina through front-line information service and promotion of South Carolina destinations, thus influencing current and future visitor travel plans.

• Provide a positive, quality customer service experience to visitors of the Welcome Center.
• Promote destinations and accommodations to visitors in order to extend stays and increase visitor expenditures in South Carolina.
• Expand personal scope of knowledge of South Carolina tourism product and Welcome Center operations by participating in regular training.
• Maintain complete and accurate inventory of literature and promotional materials to support visitor information and customer service efforts.
• Gather and enter traveler research information into database.
• Maintain a good working relationship with all Visitor Service staff and partners to ensure program goals and objectives are met. Encourage open communication and practice and promote teamwork within the center and on the Welcome Center grounds.
• Practice and promote teamwork with PRT departments and external tourism partners.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

Associate degree in hospitality, marketing, public relations, retail or closely related field preferred, or high school graduate/GED + two years of customer service and public contact experience in a related field.

Additional Requirements

• Requires lifting up to 50 pounds, travel, inventory duties, and working 37.5 hours rotation with weekends and holidays. Job includes extensive walking and standing. Computer skills and some overnight training-related travel required. Requires strong customer service skills.
• Ability to provide visitors with travel-related information; assist visitors with directions and reservations; stock and inventory literature. Job includes extensive walking, standing and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Computer skills and some overnight training-related travel required. Strong customer service, oral and written communication skills required.
• Valid Drivers License or government issued ID required.

Additional Comments

Actual Job Location: Hardeeville Welcome Center

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week rotating schedule including weekends and holidays.

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer.

Benefits For State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Plan, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.