Reservation Sales Agent - Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Cape Town

Protea Hotels by Marriott®; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Protea Hotels by Marriott is seeking an Reservations Agent in Cape Town to process bookings, changes, and cancellations by phone, fax, or mail. You will verify room availability, explain guarantees and cancellations, and document guest requests.

Strong customer service and communication skills are essential for providing exceptional guest experiences. Responsibilities include data entry in the reservation system, maintaining accurate group blocks, and handling billing according to policy while

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least 1 year of related work experience.
• Proficient in English and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Process all reservation requests, changes, and cancellations received by phone, fax, or mail.
• Input and access data in reservation system; verify availability of room type and rate.
• Explain and apply guarantee, special rate, and cancellation policies to callers.
• Set up billing accounts according to accounting policies and maintain accurate records.
• Respond to guest questions about facilities/services and assist with special requests.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Time Management

English Proficiency

Education

High school diploma/G.E.D. equivalent

Tools

Reservation System

Job description

Additional Information

Job Number 26132769

Job Category Reservations

Location 64 New Church Street, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town 8018, South AfricaVIEW ON MAP

Schedule Full Time

Located Remotely? N

Position Type Non-Management

Position Summary

Process all reservation requests, changes, and cancellations received by phone, fax, or mail. Identify guest reservation needs, determine appropriate room type, and 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. Communicate information regarding designated VIP reservations. Input and access data in reservation system. Respond to any challenges found for accommodating rooming requests by communicating with appropriate individual or department. Oversee accuracy of room blocks and reservations. Input group rooming lists using reservation systems, revise room blocks to maintain the required number of available rooms and keep organized files of all groups. Set-up proper billing accounts according to accounting policies. Follow all company policies and procedures; ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional; maintain confidentiality of proprietary information; protect company assets. 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; prepare and review written documents accurately and completely; 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. Read and visually verify information in a variety of formats. 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

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

Guest Relations

• Address guests' service needs in a professional, positive, and timely manner.
• 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.
• 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.
• Engage guests in conversation regarding their stay, property services, and area attractions/offerings.
• Assist other employees to ensure proper coverage and prompt guest service.
• Thank guests with genuine appreciation and provide a fond farewell.

Communication

• 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.
• Speak to guests and co-workers using clear, appropriate and professional language.
• Prepare and review written documents (e.g., daily logs, business letters, memoranda, reports), including proofreading and editing written information to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• 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.
• Develop and maintain positive and productive working relationships with other employees and departments.
• Partner with and assist others to promote an environment of teamwork and achieve common goals.
• 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

• Enter and locate work-related information using computers and/or point of sale systems.
• Read and visually verify information in a variety of formats (e.g., small print).
• Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 10 pounds without assistance.

Reservation Services

• Accommodate and document special requests in an accurate and efficient manner.
• Verify all reservation information with callers to ensure accuracy.
• Assign confirmation/cancellation numbers and clearly relay this information to callers, giving them the option of emailing and/or faxing these numbers.
• Explain guarantee and cancellation policies to callers.
• 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).
• Describe room accommodations and benefit feature sale amenities to guests.
• Communicate information regarding designated VIP reservations, including VIP name, company, and title to upper-level management.
• Determine the most appropriate room type to meet guest requirements and maximize room rates.
• Identify repeat guests using appropriate codes.
• 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.
• Identify guest reservation needs by asking open-ended questions to obtain all necessary information, including enrollment in Marriott Rewards program.

Reservation Processing

• Process all reservation requests, changes, and cancellations received by phone, fax, or mail.
• Verify availability of room type, rate, and occupancy before confirming any reservations.
• 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).
• Inform guests of rules and regulations regarding qualifying rates (e.g., government and special corporate rates and discounts).
• 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.

Inventory/Rooms Control

• Oversee accuracy of room blocks and reservations.
• Respond to any challenges found for accommodating rooming requests by communicating with guest or group contact, Sales Department, or Front Desk.

Reservation Billing

• Set-up proper billing accounts (i.e., share-with, room/tax/incidentals, tax exempt, direct/special billing, group bookings) according to accounting policies.

Analytical Skills

• Computer Skills
• Learning

Interpersonal Skills

• Customer Service Orientation
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal Skills

Communications

• Telephone Etiquette Skills
• English Language Proficiency
• Listening
• Communication
• Applied Reading
• Writing

Personal Attributes

• Integrity
• Dependability
• Positive Demeanor

Organization

• Detail Orientation
• Time Management
• Multi-Tasking

Sales

• Typing

Education

High school diploma/G.E.D. equivalent

Related Work Experience

At least 1 year of related work experience

Supervisory Experience

No supervisory experience is required

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by 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.