Essenza Escapes Ltd Is Hiring A Travel Planner

Join Our Team as a Luxury Travel Planner in Italy & UK 🇮🇹🇬🇧

Are you passionate about crafting bespoke travel experiences in Italy and the UK? We’re looking for an experienced Travel Planner to create exceptional journeys for our discerning clientele. Before you apply, please review the non-negotiable criteria below to ensure a strong fit.

🚫 BEFORE YOU APPLY

Please only apply if you meet ALL of the following essential criteria:

• Residency: You are based in Italy or the United Kingdom. Applications from other countries will not be considered.
• Education: You hold a university degree. While the subject is less critical, a background in travel, tourism, hospitality, or related fields is a plus.
• Language Skills: You are fluent in both English and Italian, written and verbal.
• Travel Experience: You have proven experience in travel planning, ideally within luxury villa rentals, bespoke travel, or high-end DMC operations in Italy.
• Italy-Based Applicants Only: Must already have a VAT account (Partita IVA) or be willing to open one. This is non-negotiable for Italy-based hires.

About Essenza Escapes ✈️

Essenza Escapes is a luxury travel provider specializing in villa rentals and bespoke itineraries across Italy. As we expand, we seek a talented Travel Planner to join our team, designing unique journeys for our mainly US-based clients.

This role is central to the client experience — from initial enquiry to post-trip handover. You will be the creative and commercial force behind each itinerary, collaborating closely with travel agents, property owners, and local suppliers throughout Italy.

🌟 Key Responsibilities

• Design Custom Itineraries: Tailor travel plans to client preferences, interests, and styles.
• Client Communication: Manage interactions from enquiry to departure, building rapport with clients and agents.
• Sourcing & Confirmations: Find, quote, and secure villas, experiences, transfers, and services, negotiating favorable terms.
• Documentation: Produce clear, polished client-facing itineraries and documentation.
• CRM Management: Record every detail meticulously, ensuring information is accessible for the team.
• On-Trip Support: Assist clients during their stay, proactively addressing needs and resolving issues.
• Relationship Building: Foster long-term partnerships with travel agents, property owners, and ground operators across Italy.
• Commercial Balance: Incorporate business considerations into itinerary planning, balancing client satisfaction with healthy margins.

🛑 Low Season Tasks

During quieter months, you'll support the wider team with a variety of tasks including property inspections, updating supplier documentation, researching new destinations, sourcing new partners, and contributing to process improvements. This period allows you to deepen your destination knowledge and visit properties firsthand — one of the most rewarding aspects of the role.

🎯 Skills & Experience Needed

• Travel Planning Expertise: Experience in luxury villa rentals, bespoke travel, or high-end DMC operations in Italy.
• Destination Knowledge: In-depth understanding of Italy — regions, seasonality, hidden gems, and logistics.
• Client Service Skills: Ability to anticipate needs, listen carefully, and tailor recommendations for a luxury clientele.
• Commercial Acumen: Create solutions that satisfy clients and partners while maintaining healthy margins.
• Writing Skills: Craft clear, evocative itineraries aligned with our brand voice.
• Negotiation Skills: Confidently negotiate with suppliers, property owners, and partners.
• Organization & Discipline: Remote work demands high self-motivation and accountability.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work around US client time zones, including evening and occasional weekend emails.
• Tech Savvy: Proficient with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and digital tools.

💼 What We Offer

• Competitive Salary & Bonuses: Package based on experience, plus performance incentives.
• Remote Work: Fully remote role with travel across Italy throughout the year.
• Workshops & Experiences: Bi-annual company events in Italy or the UK, and opportunities to stay overnight at luxury properties.
• Team & Culture: A supportive, ambitious environment within a rapidly growing company.
• Career Progression: Genuine opportunities for long-term development.

Note on Salary 💰

Salary will be determined individually based on your experience, skills, market knowledge, and overall profile. Any figures listed on job portals are estimates and do not reflect our actual offer. Please disregard these estimates.

🚀 How to Apply

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

• Email your CV to [Insert Email] with the subject line: Travel Planner application – (Your Full Name).
• Include brief answers (a few sentences each) to the following questions in your email:
• Where are you currently based, and do you have the right to work there?
• Briefly describe your experience in luxury or bespoke travel, with a focus on Italy.
• If based in Italy: Do you already hold a Partita IVA, or are you willing to open one?

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