EGL Tours is predicting a rebound in outbound business from Hong Kong, thanks to growing demand for premium travel packages and options to visit new destinations.

As a result, the company plans to hire more frontline and back-office staff for its travel consultancy, call centre and accounting departments.

There will also be opportunities to join as tour escorts. For these positions, applicants are required to have a tour escort pass issued by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, an appropriate licence to sell travel insurance and at least six months' relevant experience.

Candidates hoping to lead tours to long-haul destinations will be expected to have a minimum of three years' experience conducting groups to the United States and Europe.

Understandably, the company wants people who are presentable, have excellent service skills, a high level of IQ and EQ, and are willing to work during public holidays.

All recruits will undertake a 10-day orientation programme, which outlines the company's background and culture, service standards, product knowledge and use of the computer system.

"We are looking for people who have a real interest in the travel sector," says Steve Huen, executive director of EGL Tours. "We provide comprehensive training, one example of which is that we sponsor guides selected to lead Japan package tours to spend time studying there."

Huen adds that there is a steady demand for recruits in the industry, which means job security is good.