PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Senior Travel Designer is responsible for generating and growing sales by securing, costing, and presenting journeys to our Sales agents accurately, efficiently, and timorously. To be equally invested in the “win” of each booking. 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.
The Travel Designer will play a vital role in driving sales, building relationships, and ensuring exceptional customer service in a highly competitive travel industry. Their knowledge, expertise, and strong focus on sales will contribute to the growth and success of our business.
This position can be based in either Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa.
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, attending relevant familiarization trips with agents (if and when 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.
- Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
The Sale
- Manage new requests from the Sales agent, from quote to confirmation, aligning the booking to ensure it is client-ready in the fastest possible time while maintaining booking integrity.
- Quote accurately and timely, keeping in mind our strategic and preferred AP and upsell where possible to benefit both teams.
- Build strong connections with all supplier reservations teams, nurturing these relationships to gain more benefits.
- Maximize the mutually beneficial relationship with AP partners, their lodges/camps, and areas they are located.
- Utilize applicable specials in the booking process and make appropriate notes as required.
- For special needs/high-risk guests, flag concerns with the incident management teams and follow protocol to ensure guest safety.
- Streamline sales negotiations by reducing dead beds and maximizing camp yield during the provisional stage of the booking process.
- Liaise with RARA if rates, accommodation, transit points, and activities are not loaded or correctly linked.
- Raise issues with the integration specialist if there are concerns with the booking system.
- Understand the sales agent's needs in each booking, including urgency of replies.
- Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with sales agents, understanding the yield implications.
- Monitor daily expiry reports to ensure no bookings are auto-released.
- Maintain the booking with all relevant documents uploaded and information passed on about the guest.
- Correspond with relevant suppliers to effectively hold space, room types, and flights.
- Escalate any issues with supplier service delivery as needed.
- Handle all provisional changes efficiently and communicate with sales agents on the status.
- Ensure the provisional booking matches the offers and details before handing over to the Journey Specialist for confirmation.
Product Knowledge
- Possess excellent knowledge and geographical understanding of all Southern and East African destinations.
- Stay updated with regional logistics and industry trends.
- Maintain in-depth supplier knowledge to provide accurate information to Sales agents and clients.
- Keep updated with all product and technology updates.
- Have a detailed understanding of strategic and preferred suppliers and their deals.
- Continuously enhance product knowledge through training and research.
General
- Participate in industry events, trade shows, and familiarization trips as required.
- Keep apprised of company policies and system updates.
- Embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Candidate Profile
Qualification:
- Matric certificate with maths (minimum standard grade or above).
- Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality is advantageous.
Experience:
- 4-5 years of senior experience in handling customer relationships and developing products 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 systems.
- Excellent attention to detail.
Skills & Abilities :
- Dynamic, creative, organized, and excellent communication skills.
- Thrives under pressure in a fast-paced environment without compromising accuracy.
- Ability to problem-solve while maintaining high-quality output.
- Strong financial skills, self-starter with integrity and ethical conduct.
Interests:
A passion for wildlife and a commitment to sustainability and conservation.
Apply for this position with us on WhatsApp. Simply send the word ‘Hi’ to +260761166303
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