Head of Group & Affinity Travel Sales

Adventure Travel Trade Association, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Classic Escapes, a family-owned tour operator, seeks a seasoned travel industry professional to expand our group and affinity travel business worldwide. You will identify organizations, develop relationships with decision-makers, and craft proposals that translate into long-term partnerships and travel experiences.

With strong international destination knowledge—especially Africa and safari travel—you will engage educational, cultural and special-interest groups, moving opportunities through a

Qualifications

• Professional travel or tour operator experience.
• Experience developing new business and bringing in clients.
• Experience with group, affinity, educational, safari, luxury or special-interest travel preferred.
• Strong international destination knowledge.
• Ability to build relationships with organizations rather than relying on consumer leads.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop new group and affinity accounts, including universities, alumni organizations, zoos, museums, associations and other special-interest organizations.
• Identify new organizations and markets that are a natural fit for Classic Escapes.
• Research prospects and develop thoughtful, personalized ways to approach them.
• Build relationships with decision-makers and move those relationships toward actual travel opportunities.
• Grow existing accounts and reconnect with past or inactive clients where there is potential for new business.
• Work with our team to develop trip ideas and proposals that fit each organization and its travelers.
• Present destinations, itineraries and travel concepts to prospective and existing clients.
• Maintain an organized pipeline showing active prospects, opportunities, status and next steps.
• Attend industry conferences, client meetings and other sales events as appropriate.
• Follow up after conferences and meetings and turn introductions into ongoing relationships.
• Look for creative ways to reach prospective clients beyond traditional cold calling.
• Work with our marketing team on destination content, presentations, webinars and other ways to introduce Classic Escapes and our expertise to prospective clients.

Skills

Travel industry experience

New business development

Relationship building

Sales presentations

Industry events attendance

Safari knowledge

Job description

Classic Escapes, a family-owned tour operator, seeks a seasoned travel industry professional to expand our group and affinity travel business worldwide. You will identify organizations, develop relationships with decision-makers, and craft proposals that translate into long-term partnerships and travel experiences.

With strong international destination knowledge—especially Africa and safari travel—you will engage educational, cultural and special-interest groups, moving opportunities through a