Essenza Escapes Ltd Is Hiring A Travel Planner

Join Our Luxury Travel Team as a Travel Planner ✈️

Are you passionate about Italy, luxury travel, and creating unforgettable journeys? We’re looking for an experienced Travel Planner to help craft bespoke experiences for our discerning clientele. Before applying, please ensure you meet our essential criteria listed below.

🚫 Before You Apply

Please apply only if you satisfy ALL of the following mandatory conditions:

• 🌍 Residency: You are based in Italy or the United Kingdom. Applications from other countries will not be considered.
• 🎓 Education: You possess a university degree. A background in travel, tourism, hospitality, or related fields is a plus.
• 🗣️ Languages: Fluent in both English and Italian, written and verbal.
• ✈️ Experience: Proven travel planning experience, preferably in luxury villa rentals, bespoke travel, or high-end DMC operations in Italy.
• 💶 Legal Requirements for Italy: If based in Italy, you must already hold a VAT account (Partita IVA) or be willing to open one. Please do not apply if you are not prepared to register as self-employed.

🌟 About Essenza Escapes

Essenza Escapes is a luxury travel provider specializing in villa rentals and bespoke itineraries across Italy. As we grow, we’re seeking an experienced Travel Planner to join our team and curate exceptional journeys for our US-based clientele.

This role is at the core of the client experience: from the initial inquiry to post-trip follow-up, you'll be the creative force shaping each itinerary, collaborating closely with travel agents, property owners, and local suppliers throughout Italy.

📝 Key Responsibilities

• 🎯 Design bespoke itineraries tailored to each client's preferences, interests, and travel style.
• 💬 Lead client communication from enquiry to departure, building rapport and trust with clients and partners.
• 🔍 Source, quote, and confirm villas, experiences, transfers, and other services; negotiate terms with suppliers and property owners.
• 📝 Produce accurate, polished, and timely client-facing documentation.
• 📂 Maintain meticulous records in our CRM system, ensuring all itinerary details are accessible to the team.
• 🚑 Support clients during their stay, anticipating needs and resolving issues swiftly.
• 🤝 Build and nurture long-term relationships with travel agents, property owners, and ground partners across Italy.
• 💼 Contribute commercial insights to balance client satisfaction with business margins.

🌙 Low Season Tasks

During quieter months, you'll support the team with various tasks such as property inspections, reviewing supplier documentation, researching new destinations, sourcing suppliers, and contributing to process improvement projects. This period also offers a chance to deepen your destination knowledge and visit properties firsthand — one of the most rewarding aspects of the role.

🎯 Skills & Experience

• ✅ Proven travel planning experience in luxury villa rentals, bespoke travel, or high-end DMC operations in Italy.
• 🌍 Extensive knowledge of Italy's regions, seasonal trends, hidden gems, and guest logistics.
• ✨ Exceptional client service skills: ability to listen, anticipate needs, and recommend tailored experiences.
• 💡 Strong commercial judgment to create win-win solutions for clients, owners, and the company.
• ✍️ Excellent writing skills for clear, evocative itinerary documentation aligned with brand voice.
• 🤝 Confident negotiation skills with suppliers, property owners, and partners.
• 📅 Strong organizational skills and personal discipline, essential for remote work.
• 🕒 Flexibility with US client time zones, including evening and occasional weekend work.
• 💻 Tech-savvy: comfortable with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and digital tools.

🎁 What We Offer

• 💰 A competitive salary package based on experience, plus performance bonuses.
• 🏠 Fully remote working arrangement, with travel within Italy throughout the year.
• 🛠️ Bi-annual company workshops in Italy or the UK.
• 🏡 Opportunities to stay in our luxury properties and experience our services firsthand.
• 🤗 A friendly, ambitious, and supportive team within a rapidly growing company.
• 🚀 Genuine long-term career growth opportunities.

💸 Salary Note

Salary will be tailored on a case-by-case basis, considering your experience and skills. Please ignore auto-generated estimates on external portals, as they do not reflect the actual package offered.

📩 How to Apply

This role is exclusively advertised on LinkedIn. We do not post on other job boards.

To apply, please email your CV to careers@essenzaescapes.com with the subject line: Travel Planner application – (Your Full Name).

In your email, kindly answer these three questions briefly:

• 🗺️ Where are you currently based, and do you have the right to work there?
• 📝 Briefly describe your experience in luxury or bespoke travel, particularly in Italy.
• 🇮🇹 If based in Italy, do you already hold a Partita IVA, or are you willing to open one?

Applications missing these answers will not be reviewed. We look forward to hearing from you! 😊