South Africa: Destination Specialist – Groups posted by Craven Cottage CC

Duties:
 
Sales:
 
Secure business and effectively cost products
Understand the market and margin control
Build up and maintain agent and supplier relationships
Source new products
Develop own sales strategy to secure more business through existing and new agents
Work closely with the team to achieve goals
 
Operations:
 
Quote and design successful creative itineraries and proposals for all market related ADHOC groups, Tour Series and FIT requests
Capture and confirm bookings in Tourplan
Negotiate with suppliers for better rates, cancellation policies and FOC’s
Find new suppliers that offer a good service and better rates
Follow up on quotes that have been sent out
Successfully run groups, tour series, and FIT booking
Compile welcome pack documents
Create co-pilots according to itineraries
Handling the 24-hour emergency phone
Prepare guide documentation and brief guide before travel date
Work closely with tour guides whilst on tour
 
Financial:
 
Instruct debtors to raise invoices
Reconcile supplier invoices for processing
Assist debtor’s clerk with invoicing / collection queries.
Reconcile tour guide expense sheets on completion of tours and check guide salary invoices.
 
Additional responsibilities:
 
Participate in supplier training and workshops
Reduce the transaction turnaround time
Demonstrate good communication skills and customer care
Stay current on events and changes of suppliers and products.
Travel on educational and familiarizations trips
  
Requirements:
 
High school diploma
A formal qualification
At least 4+ years’ experience in Travel (Groups / MICE experience essential)
Knowledge of travel destinations in South & Southern Africa
Knowledge of Botswana, Mozambique, Kenya & Tanzania an added advantage
Knowledge and experience in MS Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word)
Must be highly organised, energetic, well versed in the world affairs.