Senior Travel Designer- Owned Agencies at Wilderness

PRIMARY PURPOSE

• The Travel Designer is responsible for generating and growing sales by securing, costing, and presenting journeys to our Sales agents accurately, efficiently, and timeously. To be equally invested in the “win” of each booking. The role requires a strong focus on sales, building relationships with Sales agents, and providing exceptional customer service in a highly competitive environment with tight deadlines. The Travel Designer must have extensive knowledge of Southern and East African destinations, regional logistics, and in-depth supplier knowledge to maximize the mutually beneficial relationship with our AP partners, their lodges/camps, and areas they are located.
• The Travel Designer will play a vital role in driving sales, building relationships, and ensuring exceptional customer service in a highly competitive travel industry. Their knowledge, expertise, and strong focus on sales will contribute to the growth and success of our business.
• *This position is based in Johannesburg or Cape Town

Detailed Responsibilities

• Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent relationship for all bookings.
• Build relationships with owned agents based on trust and support, knowing their business trends and guests needs, ad hoc attending relevant familarisation trips with agents (if and when required).
• Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
• Streamline operational negotiations by also reducing dead beds, waitlist chasing and maximizing camp operations role to create those life-changing journeys for guests.
• Quote accurately and timeously keeping in mind our strategic and preferred AP and upsell where possible to benefit both WS and the owned agent ensuring relevant information is obtained from the ARM prior to quoting.
• Understand the owned agents/guests needs in each booking, if email does not help clarify then call the owned agent. Design itineraries around company guidelines and product knowledge e.g. area, variety, product status and service consistency in accommodation standard, distances travelled and time saving aspects.
• Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with the agents, consistently understanding the yield implication of provisional space held.
• Keep the owned agencies updated on the status of the bookings in real time as changes are taking place.
• Maintain booking file (electronically) incl. Owned Agent correspondence, AP correspondence, costings, invoices & credit notes and updated booking file cover/summary and ensure all documents are uploaded to the WW.
• Measure sales and GP% in conjunction with Sales, identifying variations and maintaining good GP’s per booking.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• Matric certificate – with maths (minimum standard grade or above) 
• Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality.

Experience:                    

• 4-5 years’ East Africa experience at a senior level preferable.
• Experience in handling customer relationships and developing & promoting product and services in the inbound travel industry.
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office, email, Internet)
• Proven English literacy.
• Working knowledge of Tourplan and WISH or similar booking/operating system.  General product knowledge on Southern & East Africa.
• Personal or educational travel experience advantageous

Skills:           

• Excellent communication skills both written and oral, in English.
• Foreign language skills advantageous