Hospitality and TourismFull-TimeMid-level(3-5 yrs)
Job Description
The Travel Designer is responsible for generating and growing sales by securing, costing, and presenting journeys to our Sales agents accurately, efficiently, and timeously. The role requires a strong focus on sales, building relationships with Sales agents, and providing exceptional customer service in a highly competitive environment with tight deadlines. The Travel Designer must have extensive knowledge of Southern and East African destinations, regional logistics, and in-depth supplier knowledge to maximize the mutually beneficial relationship with our AP partners, their lodges/camps, and areas they are located. You will play a vital role in driving sales, building relationships, and ensuring exceptional customer service in a highly competitive travel industry.
Detailed Responsibilities
Develop relationships with the Sales Agents
Generate and grow sales by securing, costing, and presenting journeys to Sales agents in a timely manner.
Foster and build strong relationships with Sales agents to strengthen the bond and partnership, attending relevant familiarisation trips with agents as required.
Deliver a speedy service to Sales agents, ensuring efficient communication and meeting tight deadlines.
Demonstrate a strong focus on sales and be equally invested in the success of each booking.
Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent relationship for all bookings.
Provide continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
The Sale
Manage the new request from the Sales agent, from quote to provisional status. Align the booking to client requirements until ready to confirm.
Quote accurately and timeously, keeping in mind strategic and preferred partners; upsell where possible.
Build strong connections with all supplier reservations teams to help get more benefits.
Maximize the mutually beneficial relationship with partners, lodges, and camps.
Utilize applicable specials and make appropriate notes as per systems and procedures.
For special needs/high-risk guests, flag concerns with incident management teams and follow protocol to ensure safety.
Streamline sales negotiations by reducing dead beds, waitlist chasing, and maximizing camp yield.
Liaise with internal teams if rates, accommodation, or activities are not correctly linked on the system.
Understand the sales agents' needs in each booking, including urgency; use phone calls if email is insufficient.
Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings and daily expiry reports to ensure no bookings are auto-released.
Once clients have paid the deposit, ensure the provisional booking matches documentation before handing over to the Journey Specialist.
Product Knowledge
Possess excellent knowledge and intimate geographical understanding of all Southern and East African destinations.
Stay up-to-date with day-to-day regional logistics and industry trends.
Maintain in-depth supplier knowledge to provide accurate and valuable information.
Keep updated with all internal and 3rd party products and technology updates.
Have a detailed understanding of strategic suppliers, their deals, and packages to negotiate rate reductions without compromising the guest experience.
General
Participate in industry events, trade shows, and familiarization trips as required.
Keep apprised of company policies, procedures, and system updates.
Embrace a culture of continuous learning and implementation of professional growth.
Candidate Profile
Qualification:
Minimum of Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality.
Experience:
4-5 years with Senior experience in handling customer relationships, developing & promoting product and building journeys in the inbound travel industry.
In-depth knowledge of Southern and East Africa.
Personal or educational travel experience is advantageous.
Knowledge of Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles is an added advantage.
Computer Literate (Microsoft Office: Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Word).
Working knowledge of TourPlan and WETU or similar booking/operating system.
Skills:
Dynamic, creative, organised and excellent communication skills.
Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
Strong problem-solving skills and high-quality output.
Detailed product knowledge for speed in presenting alternatives.
Strong financial skills, self-starter with high integrity and ethical conduct.
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