Groups & Incentives Consultant

SUMMARY:
Outbound Travel Company with offices based in Rosebank, Gauteng is looking for an experienced Groups Travel Consultant to provide a world class service, effectively manage and coordinate the selling and booking of GROUPS AND INCENTIVES packages to the customer & agents, in order to achieve personal and company sales targets, in line with the company strategy and departmental and company goals.

POSITION INFO:
Duties:
 
Offer professional travel advice and provide accurate and creative group quotations to customers & agents
Discussing client requirements either via call center or over e mail and advising on suitable options in line with customer requests and striving to exceed expectations
Successful achievement of personal Sales Targets by actively closing the sale and converting quotations into bookings
Effective management of booking administration processes including planning and preparation of cost itineraries, making flight, accommodation and related bookings, actioning amendments and cancellations and adhering to payment processes
Maintain high levels of quality and productivity by managing workload and meeting deadlines
Ensure processes are followed to reduce errors and losses and take pride in your quality of
Offer word class service and develop a culture and strive to exceed expectations
Effective positive and respectful internal and external communication and relationship management
Embrace change and continually pursue personal development and improvements, look for new opportunities and standards of excellence
Supply advice and recommendations on product and price and recommend alternatives sell and switch sell to secure bookings
Handle quotations professionally and accurately with all outgoing quotes/ e-mails checked with scrutiny of figures, spelling, and grammar prior to releasing. 
Development and maintenance of client / customer relationship with travel agents
Keep abreast with product updates and business processes and systems
Maintenance of all relevant documentation through sales, monitoring of deposits and payments before deadlines and follow up on payment, collection of signed booking forms, airline ticket time limits to be monitored and met any other task / administration duties.
 
Requirements:
 
Travel and Tourism Certificate
Amadeus or GDS and Fares and Ticketing an advantage
At least 3 years Intermediate & 5 years Senior Groups and Incentive travel industry experience in a retail or tour operator environment essential with proven record of reaching sales targets relevant to applicable level of experience
Practical experience in working on a GDS Airline Reservations System – Amadeus preferred
Practical Experience with compiling group travel packages and creating costings, groups proposals and travel packages
Experience with working towards and meeting targets
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and Outlook
Have geographical knowledge of the countries and resorts relating to the product being loaded – internationally
Good understanding of room types and categories of hotel rooms
Thorough working knowledge of Reservations process from input to output
Experience with reading and interpreting contracts
A good knowledge of the elements that make up a travel package and the ability to identify anomalies
Understand air fare rules
Understanding of nett, gross mark ups, commissions structures, VAT, Terms and Conditions and holiday package costings
Flair with English Language and Grammar
Excellent numeracy and literacy skills