Travel Designer - Owned Agencies - Senior (Johannesburg Or Cape Town Based) at Wilderness

Primary Purpose

To generate and grow sales whilst maintaining required GP%, great agent relationships and high-level customer service by offering world-class itineraries to exceed agent & guests' expectations.

To secure, cost and present product to the agent/guest accurately, efficiently, timeously by creating inspirational luxury travel. Have an excellent knowledge and good geographical understanding of all Southern and East African destinations as well as day-to-day regional logistics.

Responsibilities:

• Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
• Build relationships with owned agents based on trust and support, knowing their business trends and guests needs, ad hoc attending relevant familiarisation trips with agents (if and when required).
• Keep updated with all Wilderness Safaris (WS) and 3rd party product (AP), as well as technology updates.
• Attend all WS and AP training on a weekly basis; this knowledge facilitates exceeding expectations and accuracy in the booking process.
• Quote accurately and timeously keeping in mind our strategic and preferred AP and upsell where possible to benefit both WS and the agent.
• Measure sales and GP% in conjunction with Sales, identifying variations and maintaining good GP’s per booking.
• Process any additional changes/updates after confirmation to the itinerary.
• All required travel information to be obtained from the Agent and sent to the Operations Specialist e.g. bed configuration, dietaries, ages of children, group dynamics and any other additional information from the agent

Candidate profile

 Qualification:              

• Matric certificate – with maths 
• 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.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Skills:                          

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

Personal Abilities:         

• Able to work in a changing environment, Creative, organised and good communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising accuracy.
• Ability to pace oneself and prioritise demands.
• Team worker and ability to interface with various departments and systems.
• Good follow up skills.
• Consistent approach to quality of output, service and result orientated.
• Good administrator and professional in all dealings. Dedicated to customer satisfaction and wanting to “go the extra mile”.
• Self-starter with high energy levels.