Johannesburg: Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer posted by Wilderness Safaris

March 26, 2026 Jobs in Central Johannesburg

Wilderness Safaris

Gauteng

Travel / tourism

Job Description

Location: Johannesburg or Cape Town Reports to: Reservations Manager Company: Wilderness Are you passionate about luxury travel, conservation, and designing exceptional group journeys? Wilderness is seeking a Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer with a strong MICE and specialist group focus to curate extraordinary incentive and group travel experiences across Southern and East Africa. About the Role As a Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer, you will play a key role in designing, coordinating, and delivering high-end MICE, incentive, and specialist group travel within the Wilderness portfolio. You will work closely with trade partners, DMCs, and internal sales and operations teams to create seamless, bespoke group journeys that align with Wilderness luxury standards, conservation ethos, and commercial objectives. This role requires a consultative mindset, strong logistical capability, and the ability to manage complex group movements while maintaining exceptional service levels and margin integrity. MICE & Group Travel Design Design and deliver bespoke group, incentive, and MICE itineraries, tailored to client objectives, budgets, and guest profiles. Translate client briefs into creative, well-structured programs that showcase Wilderness camps, experiences, and conservation initiatives. Identify and implement value-adds and upselling opportunities that enhance group experiences while protecting margins. Service Excellence & Stakeholder Management Provide prompt, professional, and solutions-driven service to trade partners, incentive houses, and internal stakeholders. Communicate clearly and proactively, managing expectations across multiple touchpoints. Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key agents and MICE partners. Operational & Logistical Coordination Manage complex group logistics including rooming lists, movements, activities, and special requirements. Collaborate closely with Operations Specialists to ensure flawless on-the-ground execution. Maintain accurate and detailed booking files to ensure seamless delivery from confirmation through travel. Commercial & Performance Focus Quote accurately and timeously, ensuring pricing integrity and commercial viability. Monitor margins and performance metrics, contributing to overall departmental targets. Support Sales and Reservations leadership with insights into group trends and opportunities. Product & Systems Expertise Maintain in-depth knowledge of Wilderness camps, regions, and experiences across Southern and East Africa. Confidently position the Wilderness brand within the MICE and incentives space. Leverage systems such as Wilderness Window, WETU, Smartbox, Tourplan, and Microsoft Office to streamline workflows and enhance service delivery. Qualifications and Experience Matric with Mathematics (Standard Grade or higher). Tertiary qualification in Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, or a related field (advantageous). 610 years experience in a s enior Groups, Incentives, or MICE travel design / reservations role. Proven experience managing group logistics, complex itineraries, and high-value clients. Strong working knowledge of Tourplan and Microsoft Office. Skills & Competencies Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills (English essential; European languages advantageous). Confident in consultative selling, personalisation, and upselling within a luxury context. Ability to manage pressure, deadlines, and multiple group files simultaneously. Personal Attributes Creative, proactive, and solutions-oriented. Service-driven with a strong client-centric mindset. Passionate about wildlife, conservation, and sustainable tourism. Why Wilderness? Work with a passionate team dedicated to conservation and luxury travel. Deepen your destination expertise through ongoing training and familiarisation trips. Be part of a company that values creativity, initiative, and going the extra mile. 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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About Travel / tourism Jobs in Gauteng

The travel and tourism industry in Gauteng, South Africa is experiencing a steady demand for skilled professionals, driven by the growth of domestic and international tourism. Typically, job seekers in this field can expect to find opportunities across various sectors, including hospitality, events management, marketing, and destination development. Generally, these roles require a strong understanding of the local culture, market trends, and industry best practices.

Salary expectations for travel and tourism professionals in Gauteng are often broad, with typical ranges varying depending on factors such as experience, company size, and industry sector. Broadly speaking, salaries can range from R200 000 to R500 000 per annum, although this is subject to variation. Factors such as holding a degree or diploma in a relevant field, having relevant work experience, and demonstrating expertise in areas like hospitality management, marketing, or destination development can significantly impact salary ranges.

Common skills required for travel and tourism roles include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work effectively in a team environment, and a solid understanding of business operations and management principles. Typically, professionals in this field also possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Other key skills often include proficiency in languages such as Afrikaans or isiZulu, knowledge of local customs and traditions, and experience with tourism industry software and systems.

The travel and tourism industry in Gauteng commonly employs professionals from various sectors, including hospitality (hotels, restaurants), events management (conferences, weddings), marketing and destination development (branding, promotional activities). Often, job seekers can find opportunities in these areas at companies across the province, from small to large enterprises.

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Career progression paths for travel and tourism professionals are often driven by experience, hard work, and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. Typically, roles may progress from entry-level positions in hospitality or events management to more senior positions such as operations manager, marketing manager, or destination development specialist. With continued growth and innovation in the industry, there are also opportunities for professionals to transition into leadership roles, start their own businesses, or pursue careers in related fields like travel writing, photography, or tourism consulting.

This information provides general career guidance. Actual salaries and requirements vary by employer.

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