Product Manager, Africa

The Travel Corporation; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Travel Corporation is seeking a Product Manager to design, source, and manage African travel products (FIT, group tours, and luxury safaris). This role blends strategic planning, supplier partnerships, and destination expertise to deliver market-ready itineraries across Africa.

You will focus on North American travelers, craft custom itineraries, work with lodges, airlines, and DMCs, and collaborate with travel advisors to ensure exceptional luxury experiences while maintaining profitability.

Qualifications

• 3-6+ years in African travel product development, contracting, or tour operations.
• First-hand travel experience in Africa (highly preferred)
• Deep knowledge of African destinations and safari logistics
• Strong negotiation and contracting skills
• Commercial and analytical mindset (pricing, margins, forecasting)
• Ability to manage complex, multi-country itineraries
• Excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a portfolio of African itineraries (luxury, premium, and experiential).
• Create packages across destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
• Design specialized experiences (Big Five safaris, honeymoons, family travel, rail journeys, cultural tours).
• Continuously refresh products based on trends and customer demand.
• Contract and negotiate with lodges, camps, airlines, and local DMCs.
• Maintain strong relationships with key African partners and tourism boards.
• Conduct FAM trips to inspect properties and experiences.
• Ensure product quality aligns with brand standards (luxury, service, sustainability).
• Partner with marketing to develop brochures, digital content, and campaigns.
• Support sales teams with training on destinations and itineraries.

Skills

Negotiation

Contracting

Analytical mindset

Multi-country itineraries

Cross-cultural collaboration

African travel expertise

Education

Degree in Tourism / Hospitality / Business

Job description

ABOUT US

At TTC, we areEnriching lives by connecting people and places.

For over 100 years,we'vebeen bringing the world closer together by crafting journeys that create lasting memories, lifelongfriendshipsand meaningful cultural connections. Across more than 70 countries and our award-winning brands, we design and deliver travel experiences that go beyond sightseeing - they change perspectives.

Behind every unforgettable journey is a passionate team making it happen. That's where you come in.

OUR VALUES

Everything we do is guided by our five shared commitments:

• Value Every Voice - We put people first.
• Act with Integrity - We dowhat'sright.
• Explore Beyond Boundaries -We'redriven by curiosity.
• Own the Outcome - We take responsibility for our decisions.
• Succeed Together -We'vegot each other's backs.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Product Manager is responsible for designing, sourcing, and managing African travel products (FIT, group tours, and luxury safaris). This role blends strategic planning, supplier partnerships, and destination expertise to deliver high-quality, market-ready itineraries across Africa.

What Makes This Role Unique:

For African Travel Inc.

• Strong focus on custom FIT itineraries for North American travelers
• Emphasis on luxury and tailor-made experiences, small group itineraries, both locally hosted and guided
• Close alignment with travel advisors and agency networks

For Lion World Travel

• Mix of group tours and FIT products
• Strong emphasis on value-driven premium travel

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain a portfolio of African itineraries (luxury, premium, and experiential)
• Create packages across destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe
• Design specialized experiences (Big Five safaris, honeymoons, family travel, rail journeys, cultural tours)
• Continuously refresh products based on trends and customer demand
• Contract and negotiate with lodges, camps, airlines, and local DMCs
• Maintain strong relationships with key African partners and tourism boards
• Conduct FAM trips to inspect properties and experiences
• Ensure product quality aligns with brand standards (luxury, service, sustainability)

Pricing & Commercial Strategy

• Build and manage pricing structures (net rates, commissions, markups)
• Account for seasonality, park fees, and currency fluctuations
• Ensure profitability targets while maintaining competitive positioning in the North American market

Product Performance & Optimization

• Monitor booking trends, conversion rates, and customer feedback
• Analyze product performance and identify gaps or underperforming itineraries
• Optimize offerings to improve margins and customer satisfaction
• Partner with marketing teams to develop brochures, digital content, and campaigns
• Support sales teams with training on destinations and itineraries
• Ensure product content is accurate, compelling, and aligned with brand storytelling

Operational Coordination

• Work closely with operations teams to ensure seamless delivery of trips
• Manage updates, cancellations, and supplier changes
• Ensure compliance with travel regulations, insurance requirements, and safety standards

ROLE SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Product profitability and margin performance
• Growth in African travel sales
• Supplier performance and contract efficiency
• Speed to market for new itineraries

KEY COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

Description

Linked Value/s

Communication&

Influence

Clearly communicates ideas, builds rapport, and influences others to achieve effective outcomes.

Value Every Voice, Succeed Together

Customer Focus

Understandscustomer needs anddeliverssolutions that create a high-quality, consistent experience.

Value Every Voice, Own the Outcome

Responds effectively to change,adjustingpriorities and approach to meet evolving needs.

Explore Beyond Boundaries

Quality & Attention to Detail

Ensures accuracy, consistency, and high standards in all work, minimizing risk and rework

Act with Integrity

Courage & Decision Making

Makes confident,timelydecisions and challenges the status quo to improve outcomes.

Own the Outcome, Explore Beyond Boundaries

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

TechnicalSkillset

• Strong negotiation and contracting skills
• Commercial and analytical mindset (pricing, margins, forecasting)
• Ability to manage complex, multi-country itineraries
• Excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration
• 3-6+ years in African travel product development, contracting, or tour operations
• Experience working with African DMCs and safari suppliers
• Deep knowledge of African destinations and safari logistics
• First-hand travel experience in Africa (highly preferred )
• Degree in Tourism, Hospitality, Business, or related field (highly preferred)

TRAVEL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Travel: Up to 4 international trips and 4 domestic trips per year

The Travel Corporation is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note that artificial intelligence (AI) may be used as part of our recruitment process to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position.