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Welcome to Tourwise of London, the UK and Ireland tour operators for Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways

Established in 1974, we conduct escorted tours throughout the whole of the UK and Ireland. As well as Tour Directors, coach drivers and Local Guides, we have a large team of Local Hosts who are based in the UK – mainly in our London contract hotels – to provide extra assistance to our guests in uncovering the many treasures of the city.

What does a Local Host do?

The Local Host team is there to provide our guests with first-class customer service, as well as to promote and sell our sightseeing excursion programme. Professional, well presented and helpful at all times, Local Hosts are also based at airports to provide meet-and-greet servicing and to ensure that our guests are transferred to their hotel with the minimum delay. The Local Hosts create the first and last impression of the company, which is run to American service expectations.

London based Local Hosts

Do you have a passion for providing exceptional holiday experiences to visitors from all over the world? Then we want to meet you.

Our Local Hosts are reliable, flexible, well presented, and warm and friendly in nature. A willingness to go beyond expectations is second-nature to our Local Hosts, which has earned the company a reputation for exceptional customer service, alongside being professional and fair.

Our main season is from the beginning of April until early October, and during this time we have a large team of Local Hosts based in London. Each day is exciting and different, and each season passes all too quickly. Experience of sales, administration, managing transactions and collecting payments is preferred when applying to be a Local Host.

    Globus and Cosmos Hotel Local Hosts


    Hotel Local Hosts are responsible for the smooth running of our Globus and Cosmos hotel hospitality desks. Guests are welcomed on arrival at the hotel and provided with verbal and written information about their stay in London. Globus and Cosmos guests usually have 1 to 3 days in London before departing on their tour of Britain and Ireland or Continental Europe.

    Local Hosts ensure that our guests' departures from the hotel for excursions, joining tours and outbound airport transfers run smoothly and promptly. They escort guests on their transportation to and from St. Pancras and King’s Cross stations. They also promote and sell our in-house optional excursions, and provide host services, including giving directions for public transport, advising on places of interest to visit, and restaurant recommendations etc. Therefore, a good knowledge of London, its attractions and transport infrastructure, is an advantage for this position. A certain amount of manual administrative preparation has to be carried out in advance of arrivals.

    Airport Local Hosts


    You will be based at London Heathrow Airport and will be responsible for welcoming Globus and Cosmos guests from their flights. Flight arrival times have to be confirmed, and any necessary changes to pre-booked transport for these guests must be arranged. Airport Local Hosts liaise with our transportation companies, our operations department, and with their contacts at the airport. While guests are waiting for their transfer vehicle, airport Local Hosts make recommendations about our optional excursion programme.

    Overall, the Airport Local Host plays a crucial role in creating a positive experience for guests from the moment they arrive at the airport until they depart for their next destination. Effective communication and coordination with various stakeholders, including transportation providers and the operations department, are essential for the success of this role.

Your Career at Tourwise of London

 

Where will I be working?

Local Hosts are usually allocated to one workplace team for the entire season, usually dictated by where they live. Hotel Local Hosts work in small teams, providing cover at 1 or 2 hotels. Airport Local Hosts are based at London Heathrow Airport.

Does it matter where I live? 

Hotel Local Hosts should be able to access public transport as all our London contract hotels are located close to convenient transport links. Hosts must be mindful of weekend shifts, as most train and underground services don't start until 7am.

Airport Local Hosts must live near London Heathrow Airport, and have easy access by public transport or car. 

This ensures that Local Hosts can reliably and punctually reach their assigned locations, contributing to the smooth operation of meet-and-greet services and transfers for guests.

What is the period of work?

Local Hosts returning for a subsequent season with us re-join in stages from March onwards. 

The initial training for our new Local Hosts is from Monday 8th April to Friday 19th April 2024.

The contract termination date is Monday 30th September 2024, although this may be extended, depending on business levels.

What hours will I work?

A schedule of individual rota days on and off for the whole season is provided at the end of the training period. Rotas detailing daily shift times and work location are issued on a weekly basis. All Local Hosts are scheduled one full Saturday and Sunday weekend off in four and all other days off will generally be on weekdays. 

Hotel Local Hosts work 40 hours per week, with shifts tending to start at either 7am or 11am.

Airport Local Hosts based at London Heathrow Airport work a 40-hour week with shifts normally starting at 6am or 7am. 

We also have part-time seasonal roles available with flexible working hours and days. 

Will I be able to take a holiday?

1 week's holiday can be taken during the main summer period subject to agreement with the company. Bank Holidays are worked normally according to rota. A day in lieu is given to compensate for this. 

Do I sign a contract?

Yes, upon receipt of satisfactory references and successful completion of the training course. 

Earning potential

Basic monthly salary for first year Local Hosts, working a 40-hour week, is £2,000 (gross annual equivalent £24,000). Local Hosts returning for a second or subsequent season receive a higher basic salary.

There is ample scope for overtime shifts, paid monthly in arrears. Many Local Hosts also choose to host our popular theatre evening excursions, and these hosts receive an overtime payment of £100 per evening, plus dinner.

Those Local Hosts that complete the full term of their contract receive an end-of-season bonus. This bonus is calculated as a percentage of the total sales of London excursions, made by the Local Hosts, shared equally between the team. The first year Local Host bonus equates to 5% of these London sales, Local Hosts in their second and subsequent seasons receive 7.5%. The end of season bonus commission is not a predetermined amount, as sales of our in-house optional excursions programme are the only source of this payment - the greater the sales, the higher the bonus! 

Any Local Host who fails to complete the contract of employment, for whatever reason, automatically forfeits their entitlement to any share of the end-of-season bonus. 

Salary and overtime payments are paid directly into your UK bank account on the 25th of each month, and all remunerations are subject to normal PAYE deductions. 

Local Host benefits

As a Local Host for Globus you receive a number of benefits either directly through the company or third parties.

Firstly the uniform is provided to all Local Hosts upon completion of training, and you have a monthly expense allowance for dry cleaning and hosiery. 

Equally the company hosts a number of social events throughout the summer so you can interact with other departments and get to know the team better.

Each work location has access to local business privilege cards, which enables you to discounts on food, drinks and activities.

There are monthly incentive based competitions when Local Host teams can earn rewards based on sales and performance.

Uniform 

Your overall smartness and appearance reflect the professionalism of our company, and also your attitude to the job.

It is important for uniforms to be worn in a clean, sharp, and consistent manner. 

Progression 

Having committed so much time and effort to the initial training, it is in our best interests to keep this knowledge within the company! Many of our Local Hosts relish the opportunity to work from March/April until October/November and then take time out to travel during the winter months. 

Senior members of the Local Host team who have progressed 'through the ranks' take responsibility for the quality day-to-day servicing at our hotels and airport workplaces. 

Our core of 20 operations and accounts staff at our London office include many ex-Local Hosts. Other employees have progressed on to successful careers within the travel and leisure industry as airline staff, as London Blue Badge Guides, or as tour escorts in Britain, Ireland and overseas. 

Training

A training course for the new team will take place from Monday 8th April to Friday 19th April 2024

A comprehensive digital and interactive training manual will be provided. 

    Classroom

    The training course includes classroom sessions teaching you about the company, its products, procedures and expectations.

    Workplace training

    The training course includes practical sessions observing experienced Local Hosts working in the hotels and at the airport.

    Training Assignments

    We monitor all new recruits throughout the training. Assignments are set each day to cover various aspects, including customer interaction scenarios, product knowledge, sales techniques, and procedures related to meet-and-greet services and transfers. Regular assessments and feedback during the training period can help identify areas of improvement and ensure that Local Hosts are ready to meet the company's service standards.

    Excursions

    The training course is designed to be instructive and fun with participation on London excursions, visiting attractions such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.

    Upon completing the training period new Hosts will participate on a Taste of London, an evening tour which includes a 3-course dinner and a privately guided cruise on the river Thames.

    Additionally, during the season Hosts can join one of our out-of-London full day excursions.

Application Procedure

To apply to be part of our team, please send your CV and covering email to:  recruitment@globusandcosmos.co.uk 

About the Globus Family of Brands

The Globus Family of Brands, with its sister companies, is the world's leading tour operator with more than 30 tourism and aviation businesses around the world, serviced by more than 5,000 professionals. Overseas, Globus and Cosmos are the English-speaking world's largest operators of escorted tours of Europe.

Globus, which operates around twice the volume of Cosmos, is the first-class (generally four-star) market and Cosmos the tourist (three-star) market, and Avalon Waterways who welcomes you to a new wave in cruising.