TOUR DOCTOR - APPLICATION FORM A BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY Captain s Choice Croydon Travel was established in 1971 by Phil Asker and his family. Ever since the company s inception, Phil was at the forefront of the industry, creating innovative tours, taking Australians to places where few have been before. In 1975 Phil took the first Australian public tour to China, to Bhutan in 1977, Cuba in 1984 and Vietnam in 1988. As the business was clearly outgrowing the small suburban travel agency, Phil and Kaye Asker established The Captain s Choice Tour in 1994. The company quickly developed an international reputation as Australia s leading creator, promoter and operator of luxury tours, innovative charter flights, private train tours and exceptional cruises. In 2000 the business became part of the Australian Pacific Touring Group (APT), joining Australia s best known and most highly regarded touring company. The business is still headed by its founder and Managing Director, Phil Asker Captain s Choice Captain s Choice is the recognised leader in luxury travel to remote and exotic destinations. The philosophy of Captain s Choice is to provide exclusive, all-inclusive, personalised tours to remote and exotic destinations throughout the world. Each tour is handcrafted, and accompanied by a team of Tour Hosts and support staff. Captain s Choice provides unique, hosted tours, unlike tours offered in mainstream travel programs. A unique and ongoing feature of Captain s Choice are the annual chartered Qantas and Private aircraft tours to cities in remote and exotic destinations, both in Australian and around the world. This along with a number of private chartered train tours, exclusive cruising program on Silversea and our seasonal Antarctica Flights, has ensured our status as the industry leader in luxury travel. Captain s Choice has a number of specific features that set it apart from other tour programs. - A very high ratio of Tour Hosts to passengers. On most tours the ratio is approximately 1:10. On larger tours (Eastern Europe by Private Train and Qantas Private Charter flights for example the ratio is approx 1:15, on cruise based tours a ratio of approx 1:25). - All tours are accompanied by a doctor. - The tours are fully inclusive of all meals, many drinks, all tipping and taxes, the very best accommodation and all sightseeing and transfers. - Where possible special customs and immigration arrangements are made in advance. - In some cases we use privately chartered planes, trains and ships.
Our Passengers Captain s Choice passenger are difficult to stereotype. Most are retired or semi-retired, many are financially well set and have been very successful in business or other endeavours. Many however are not as affluent, and for them The Captain s Choice Tour is a once in a lifetime experience. The demographic of our passengers is predominantly Australian; however since opening a UK office we now have a number of passengers from the UK. We also welcome New Zealand travellers. Most of our passengers are reasonably well travelled often having travelled extensively independently for business or pleasure to the world s most popular travel destinations. Captain s Choice has a very high level of repeat business and direct referred business due in no small part to the exceptional service delivered by the on road team. Regardless of our passengers background, you will meet and travel with interesting people who have the right to expect an exceptional level of service, attention to detail and commitment from the Host Team. Tour Host Teams Like our passengers, our Tour Hosts are difficult to stereotype. They are mostly volunteers who come from a broad range of backgrounds. When recruiting we look to match certain criteria to ensure we are selecting the most suitable people to represent Captain s Choice. - Extensive travel experience - Customer service experience - People skills - Problem solving - Conflict resolution skills - Organisational skills - High energy, stamina, enthusiasm and flexibility - Team player - Ability to work long hours and under pressure The role of the doctor can vary greatly from tour to tour, often dependent on the number of passengers. It is important to note the doctor is also a tour host. On smaller tours the role is usually 90% host and 10% doctor. On the larger tours it may be the other way around. As a host you would be involved in all manner of service delivery including luggage handling, escorting passengers on sightseeing tours, hosting tables at dinner etc. As a doctor there are two functions; one is the dayto-day colds, stomach upsets, minor injuries, sprained ankles and the like. The other is more serious injury and / or illness that may require hospital treatment and/or evacuation. Thankfully, serious injury / illness do not occur on a regular basis. Remuneration Financial remuneration is not high with this role. We pay our tour hosts and doctors a nominal daily allowance (currently US$15 per day) to cover your own day-to-day expenses like laundry etc. Naturally you are traveling on the tour at no cost and enjoying the benefits of luxury travel and accommodation, all meals, sightseeing etc. We provide economy air travel and in most cases twin share accommodation.
Please attach photo here or attach a digital image if sending by email 1. PERSONAL DETAILS Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms First Name Surname Address Post Code Phone No (Home) (Mobile) (Work) Fax No Email Address Date of Birth Nationality Which Nationality passports do you hold? Do you speak any languages other than English? (Pls indicate B=Basic, C=Conversational, F=Fluent) Provider Number: State/Country of Registration: Medical Indemnity Insurance Provider Number of years experience in general medicine? Specialty experience? Do you have Travel medicine experience? (eg/working as a Dr overseas/dr s without borders/travel medicine specialty or training etc) Do you have emergency medicine experience? YES/NO (provide details in employment history) Are you presently employed? (Pls indicate status of employment, Full-Time, Retired etc) 2. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (Please list most recent first) Employer Name Position Held Main Responsibilities Dates of employment
3. TRAVEL EXPERIENCE (List all International travel continue on separate sheet if necessary) Country/Region When (year) Duration Purpose & style of travel (work/group tour /independent) 4. ABOUT YOURSELF Please rate your confidence on the following situations below. Please add a brief comment in relation to each. Please respond honestly! (Please circle, 1=not confident 4=very confident) Public Speaking 1 2 3 4 Working long hours 1 2 3 4 Working in a team 1 2 3 4 Flying on light aircraft 1 2 3 4 Dealing with people for whom English is not their first language 1 2 3 4 Dealing with difficult people 1 2 3 4
Respecting local customs 1 2 3 4 Training new staff 1 2 3 4 Lifting heavy bags 1 2 3 4 Conversation skills 1 2 3 4 Logistics/Organisation 1 2 3 4 Writing reports 1 2 3 4 Have you been responsible for other people s money? What circumstances? How Much? Are you comfortable being responsible for other people s money? What do you consider are the 3 most important qualities of being a Tour Doctor/Host/Manager and why? 1. 2. 3. Please consider the following during your application process The rewards of group travel are many. These include the satisfaction of a successful and happy tour, travelling and learning of new and exciting places, new friends, leading a different lifestyle, and responsibilities not found in other occupations. However, the role is mentally and physically very demanding. Think through the following before you apply: Remember that the passengers are on holiday you are not! You may undertake the same trip several times over, you must maintain your enthusiasm and interest for each tour. You will work long hours, often the first up and the last to bed. Do you have the stamina to cope with this for up to a 4 week period? You will be in continual close proximity to people, most you will enjoy, but some you may not. Some people may be difficult, take a dislike to other members of the tour group or team, or to you personally. On your return from overseas you may feel unsettled and restless. Returning to a normal job may be difficult.