Jessica Osbourn

Tell me about your journey, how did you get to be a Hottie?

It’s a long story, that goes back about 8 years. We have always booked family holidays with a friend who used to work at House of Travel. As your normal nosy 16 year old, I think I questioned some flight timings or pricings for a trip to the UK. At that same time Tanya (the Owner Operator) was walking past and had overheard my little comment, then saying “Well, maybe you should come and work here”. A good 4 years passed with a few family holidays thrown in there. A position was advertised, and I had an interview, which then turned into a no (with thanks from Covid). Covid now behind us and Tanya was rebuilding her team, I saw the position, I applied again, had a couple of interviews and was straight into a 5 week training then thrown right into the New Years sales. Being a travel agent was never something I really realised was a career and from what was probably a throw away comment at the time, has now come full circle and I’m coming up to my 2^nd year as a Hottie!

Take us behind the scenes - what does a day in your life look like?

-        Dependent on the time I wake up, will slightly reflect in my choice of hair style for the day.

-        Up and off to work, a good sing song during my commute, then straight in to power up my computer and make a coffee.

-        Some days we have a little office Rua Hui where we’ll chat any new findings, updates or learnings with each other.

-        Then I'll turn on my phones to read through some emails and action anything urgent. 

-        The rest of the day is a combination of new bookings, existing bookings and chatting all things holidays!

-        Some days can be a little more pressing than others but, the good defiantly out ways the not so good.

-        Training is a really crucial part of the travel industry as everything is constantly evolving, updating and changing - once or twice a week there will be either a webinar or training, maybe a rep visit then on the odd occasion a ship inspection.

-        I'll either make another coffee or take a lap around the car park to see the sun and sort of refresh my head space, having some lunch or perusing our nearby shops. Well often have lollies or chocolate somewhere in the office but they never last long!

-        5pm hits, we shut the doors and reflect on the day. Sometimes its complete mania others its gentle and things all fall into place perfectly. I have an idea of what I have on my list for the days ahead.

-        We have a couple of office “traditions” you could say! Rua Huis, doughnut Friday, freddo frogs, the yes button, casual Friday, James pond, birthdays, 3:30s!

What advice would you give someone just starting their career or is interested in your role? 

-        No 2 days is really the same because each client that comes through the doors, over the phone or across my emails, has a different purpose to travel. It may be that they are just in a dreaming stage, and they really just what to chat about what possibilities are out there. Others have had trips planned to a tee that they just would love us to assist and manage the booking, helping with anything they're not too sure on. Some trips are a hop across the ditch, others are big, bucket list adventures. I wouldn’t say it was an easy job because if it was everyone would do it! You need to multi task, problem solve and offer what is best for your customer. There are a lot of moving parts but once it all ties together, a family gets to go on their first holiday. Travel is constantly evolving, growing and changing and were here to help future travels have their version of the best holiday, big or small! 

Is there anything people don’t understand about your job that you wish they did?

-        We can be budget friendly!

-        We do lots of work behind the scenes – staying on top of changes and the latest deals/trends.

-        We help with more than just booking – we have a world of knowledge tips and tricks.

-        We give clients piece of mind – suggestions – tips tricks etc. – a backstop insurance.

-        We can personalize every trip to the travelers preference.

-        We can help when things go wrong – industry contacts.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy helping people plan trips that fit their needs, preferences, and budgets. It’s rewarding to build relationships with clients and offer personalized advice based on their interests, whether they're looking for a relaxing beach vacation, an adventurous getaway, or a family-friendly experience. I like knowing that I’m providing peace of mind by handling all the details, from booking flights to arranging accommodations and activities. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn more about destinations, travel trends, and how to make every trip a little better for my clients. Ultimately, it’s satisfying to know I’m helping people create lasting memories and experiences that they will take with them through their lives.

How would you explain to your friends and family what working here is like?

Working at House of Travel has been a great! It’s a forever evolving role, you're constantly learning more - more about new destinations, more about travel trends, more about travel requirements all whilst creating memorable experiences for clients and myself. I’ve worked hard and the rewards definitely pay off, don’t get me wrong it’s not easy. You need to be able to multitask and have your head in a few different spaces at once. I have been given some great opportunities too, my first Famil (a familiarisation trip to learn more about locations we sell) was Disneyland’s 100th Anniversary - it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, featuring special attractions, shows, and exclusive experiences to mark a century of Disney magic. As a travel agent, it was the perfect opportunity to experience things first hand and have the knowledge to pass over to my clients. Between our 4 offices we share our knowledge with one another giving clients more than just their one consultant! Being a travel agent is a rewarding job that combines personal growth with the chance to make travel easier, more enjoyable and more memorable for others.

What is it about House of Travel that keeps you coming back?

It’s a place where I can continuously grow professionally while doing something that truly interests me. Things are constantly changing and evolving for the better. The environment is supportive and collaborative, I love being part of a team that’s so knowledgeable and passionate about helping people create memorable experiences.

What are you looking forward to currently, in your role and personally?

I’m looking forward to continuing to grow in my role, learning more about the travel industry, and exploring new destinations. I’m looking forward to hopefully hosting events for the younger demographic and shedding some light on some misconceptions about the travel industry and travel agents themselves. I’m excited to share my passion for travel with a new generation. Building lasting relationships with clients and colleagues is something I truly enjoy, and I’m excited to see where this career takes me next! In my personal life, I’m looking forward to continuing to explore new places even if its just going camping over the New Year, spending some quality time with my friends and family. Just really relaxing and enjoying all the little things in life. I’m excited to hopefully step onto the property ladder and start making some big “adult” moves. 

Any last comments you’d like to make?

House of travel is amazing, but my career is just a part of me. Yes I am a Travel Consultant but I value personal growth, enjoy exploring the world, and cherish the relationships I have. I’m creative and am constantly challenging things, to see how they can be done better. I love that my work isn’t something I take home (or away) with me, it has its place and I do a lot to make sure I stay atop of my work. My team is incredible, and we have a beautiful team that looks out for one another beyond a work environment. We are all just people and we love giving other people the opportunity to experience the world in their way.