Senior Travel Designer (Inbounds)

SUMMARY:
Well known Destination Management Company based in Sandton is looking for a Senior Travel Designer (Inbounds) to generate and grow sales whilst maintaining required profit margin, great agent relationships and high-level customer service by offering world-class itineraries to exceed agent & guests' expectations.
 
As well as secure, cost and present product to the agent / guest accurately, efficiently, timeously by creating inspirational luxury travel.
 
The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge and good geographical understanding of all Southern and East African destinations as well as day-to-day regional logistics.

POSITION INFO:
Duties:

Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent relationship for all bookings.
Build relationships with agents based on trust and support, knowing their business trends and guests needs, ad hoc attending relevant familiarisation trips with agents
Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
Quote accurately and timeously keeping in mind strategic and preferred AP and upsell where possible
Ensuring relevant information is obtained prior to quoting.
Understand the agents / guests needs in each booking
Design itineraries around company guidelines and product knowledge
Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with the agents, consistently understanding the yield implication of provisional space held
Maintain booking file (electronically) including agent correspondence, costings, invoices & credit notes and updated booking file cover / summary and ensure all documents can by uploaded
Measure sales and profit per agent in conjunction with sales
Identifying variations and maintaining good profit margins per booking.

Requirements:

Grade 12
Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism / Hospitality.
At least 4-5 years’ experience as a Senior Travel Designer in Inbound Travel.
Experience in handling customer relationships and developing & promoting product and services in the inbound travel industry.
Computer Literate (Microsoft Office, email, Internet)
Proven English literacy.
Working knowledge of TourPlan and WISH or similar booking / operating system.
Great product knowledge on Southern & East Africa (Tanzania & Kenya)
Personal or educational travel experience required
Excellent attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills both written and oral, in English.
Foreign European language skills advantageous.
A passion for wildlife and a commitment to sustainability and conservation.