Safari Travel Designer (Americas)

SUMMARY:
A Luxury Travel Operator is looking for a SENIOR TRAVEL DESIGNER (AMERICAS)

POSITION INFO:
The Senior Travel Designer’s main focus on the booking is that the logistics and travel plans have been carefully curated from start to finish and that all the intricate details are seamless, resulting in elevated and enhanced guest experience

Responsibilities:

• Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent relationship for all bookings
• Ensuring all relevant systems are updated i.e.: WISH, TourPlan and any other internal systems
• Handle Accommodation, flights transfer & touring bookings
• Handle queries from agents on various matters
• Process any additional changes/updates after confirmation to the itinerary
• Maintain booking file (electronically)
• Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times
• Build relationships with agents based on trust and support, knowing their business trends and guests needs
• Keep Agents’ booking information updated in the ARM (likes/dislikes – booking habits etc.)
• Quote accurately and timorously
• Design itineraries around company guidelines and product knowledge
• Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with the agents
• Measure sales and GP% per agent in conjunction with Sales
• Process any additional changes/updates after confirmation to the itinerary
• Attend relevant familiarization trips

• Matric certificate – with maths (minimum standard grade or above)
• Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality is advantageous
• 4-6 years with Senior experience in handling customer relationships and developing & promoting product and building journeys in the inbound travel industry
• In depth knowledge of South Africa, specifically Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari Destinations and Southern Africa, specifically Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia and East Africa, specifically Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
• Knowledge of Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles, an added advantage
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office: Outlook, Teams, Excel and Word)
• Proven English literacy
• Working knowledge of TourPlan and WETU or similar booking/operating system
• Excellent attention to detail
• Dynamic, detail orientated, organised and excellent communication skills
• Remain steady in busy environment and consistent with output, task driven
• Ability to problem solve without compromising accuracy and prioritise changes
• Driven to offer high quality service levels, strong time management
• Strong financial skills, self-starter with high integrity level and ethical conduct