Sand: working at an overseas holiday resort

06 September 2002 by
Sand: working at an overseas holiday resort

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I've seen one of those television programmes about working at a resort and it looks right up my street. How can I do it?

There are lots of companies setting up or expanding holiday resorts right now, particularly in Europe. They're not all for 18-year-old party animals, and companies are now focusing on activity holidays. So you could spend time learning how to water-ski on your time off from working behind the bar. Catering for families is another big expansion area. Bear in mind you will probably have to be older than 19 for some jobs because of the insurance required of the company.

How big is the market?

There are three or four major players in the market. Club Med and Mark Warner are two you may have heard of, or even been on holiday with. Several companies do summer sun and winter skiing, such as Mark Warner, Crystal and Scott Dunn.

Where am I likely to end up?

There's a fair amount of choice. Greece, Turkey, Spain, Sardinia, Portugal, Corsica and the Balearic and Canary Islands are all popular holiday resort destinations in Europe. Further afield there's the Caribbean and islands such as the Maldives or the Seychelles.

Sounds like they operate in the summer months then

If you're staying in Europe, expect to work from April-May to September-November depending on your location. The season in Greece and Turkey is longer than in the rest of Europe. If you're so inclined you'll be just in time to take a couple of weeks off and then do a winter stint in a ski resort. But you don't have to wait for the British summer: the major players operate all year round with resorts dotted around the world to provide winter sun for travellers.

How's the pay?

Not great. A bartender will earn £50-£70 a week with anything from £10 to £80 as a retainer. A hotel receptionist will earn £80 a week plus a £60 retainer. It's cheaper to live in most Mediterranean countries than in the winter ski resorts, so wages are lower.

The retainer is only paid to you if you stay the length of your contract, so there's financial incentive not to chuck your job in halfway through the season and take the next month off. That said, many companies offer students contracts from June to September.

What benefits does the job offer?

Generally you won't be paying tax. If local taxes apply, check to see if the company pays them for you. You'll get flights to and from the contract, your uniform, accommodation, food, training in water sports, if that's relevant and a reduction on the cost of drinks. Some companies offer half-price car hire, scuba diving lessons and discounts on health and beauty treatments at their own resorts.

What's the upside?

Think of the suntan you'll get while you're working in Greece for the summer. It's a different country and you'll work with a couple of different nationalities. If it's your first time abroad, it could be a good introduction without too much culture shock.

Another positive is that because so many companies in this field also operate ski resorts, you could apply to work for them in the winter, too. At manager and head chef level, some of the companies offer permanent contracts to people to ensure they'll stay with them throughout the year. So if you really fall in love with the life, you can make it a career option.

There's a catch in here somewhere

You'll be working six days a week and long hours - usually about 14. You're away from your family and friends and since you're working in a destination you may previously have experienced from the holiday perspective, you may get a little despondent at having to work rather than lounging by the pool.

There are also more people around, so you may find it's not the same clubby atmosphere as in the winter resort.

For chefs, it's hot in the kitchens when its 40°C outside. But look outside to the water and know you can cool off after a hard day's cooking.

You'll also be sharing a room with up to three other people, so pack the earplugs if snoring bothers you!

One more thing…

You'll need to hold a current EU passport and have a British national insurance number in order to work for most of the companies that operate in the summer resorts.

Job descriptions

Customer service officers/reps:You'll need to be fluent in the local language so you can liaise with locals and help guests. You're in charge of organising rooms and transfers, and if it goes horribly wrong, you'll be the one guests complain to.

Representatives:Meeting the guests at the airport and offering an introductory talk on resort and locality will be part of your role. During the week you'll provide entertainment and activities for the guests.

Restaurant manager:Usually will oversee the entire food offering as well as the housekeeping in some cases.

Restaurant supervisor:They will focus on the restaurant and ensure it is running smoothly.

Head bar person:Will be in charge of ordering and stocktaking.

Bar person:Makes cocktails and will enjoy being with people. Often for jobs like this - and for waiters - companies are looking for people who have an outgoing personality.

Club chalet staff:These are the entry-level positions you're likely to get. On a basic level they're the housekeeper and the waiter rolled into one. Expect to serve breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner as well as cleaning bathrooms and tidying rooms in a shift rota system.

Commis chef:Will assist with food preparation and cleaning in the kitchen.

Chef de partie:Will have own section of the kitchen - eg, fish, meat, sauce.

Pastry chef:For all those yummy croissants.

Sous chef:Will oversee the kitchen as a whole.

Head chef:Unfortunately there's lots of paperwork here. While you'll be hired as a hands-on operator, you're still in charge of all the ordering and preparing of menus.

Main players

  • Crystal: [www.crystalholidays.co.uk](http://www.crystalholidays.co.uk) tel: 0870 888 0028
  • Thomson: [www.thomsonholidays.co.uk](http://www.thomsonholidays.co.uk)
  • Scott Dunn: [www.scottdunn.co.uk](http://www.scottdunn.co.uk) tel 020 8682 5087
  • Club Med: [www.clubmed.com e-mail:
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