Travel Specialist (Italian Market)

SUMMARY:
Leading Inbound Destination Management Company based in Bryanston is seeking an experienced Travel Specialist with strong inbound destination expertise in Southern Africa to design, cost and manage high-quality, tailor-made travel experiences.
 
The role requires deep regional knowledge, excellent supplier relationships and the ability to handle complex itineraries for international clients from enquiry through to post-travel follow-up.

POSITION INFO:
Duties:

Sales & Itinerary Design:

Design bespoke itineraries across Southern Africa (e.g. South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho)
Handle inbound enquiries from international trade partners
Provide accurate, creative, and well-presented proposals within agreed turnaround times
Confidently upsell experiences while maintaining value and guest satisfaction

Operations & Booking Management:

Manage bookings end-to-end: confirmations, amendments, reconfirmations, and final documentation
Liaise with hotels, lodges, guides, transport providers and DMC partners
Ensure seamless handover to operations and support teams where applicable
Handle high-value and complex FIT bookings with minimal supervision

Supplier & Destination Expertise:

Maintain up-to-date product and destination knowledge across Southern Africa
Build and nurture strong supplier relationships
Negotiate rates, allocations and added value where appropriate
Contribute to product development and itinerary innovation

Quality Control & Problem Solving

Ensure accuracy of costing and margins
Proactively resolve issues and manage changes or emergencies professionally
Deliver a consistently high level of service aligned with brand standards

Requirements:

Matric / Grade 12
Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an inbound travel consultant/specialist
Proven expertise in Southern Africa inbound travel
Strong knowledge of FIT travel, luxury and / or experiential travel
Excellent itinerary-building, logistics and costing skills
Experience working with international source markets
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Confident communicator with excellent written and spoken English
Experience with Tourplan, Wetu
Proficient in Microsoft Office / Google Workspace and applications
Comfortable working with Customer Rates Manuals and booking platforms
Excellent South African and Regional geographic knowledge
Strong logistical knowledge
Destination-driven and detail-oriented
Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving skills
Commercially aware with a service-first mindset
Self-motivated, accountable, and collaborative
A desirable aspect would be Italian speaking
A mature approach when dealing with people
Capacity for dealing with employers and workers at all levels
Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people
Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Integrity and Honesty
Excellent Problem-solving skills