Inbound Travel Specialist (Travel/Tourism)

Black Pen Recruitment; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading integrated tourism group is seeking an experienced Travel Specialist to design and manage tailor-made travel experiences in Southern Africa. This full-time role requires strong inbound destination expertise and excellent supplier relationships. Candidates should have a minimum of 5–7 years’ experience and be proficient in itinerary building, logistics, and costing. Communication skills in English are essential, and Italian is a desirable but not mandatory aspect. This is a hybrid position with initial office days during the first two months.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an inbound travel consultant/specialist.
• Proven expertise in Southern Africa inbound travel.
• Strong knowledge of FIT travel, luxury and/or experiential travel.

Responsibilities

• Design bespoke itineraries across Southern Africa.
• Manage bookings end-to-end, ensuring seamless handover to operations.
• Build and nurture strong supplier relationships, negotiate rates.

Skills

Inbound travel expertise

Itinerary building

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Matric/Grade 12

Tools

Tourplan

Wetu

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Overview

Our client is Southern Africa's leading integrated tourism group, operating businesses which range from travel management companies, hotels, lodges to restaurants. They are driven by a commitment to exceptional quality, service and value; its people-centered business philosophy; the development of mutually rewarding partnerships; constant innovation; and world-class technology.

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Travel Specialist with strong inbound destination expertise in Southern Africa to design, cost, and manage high-quality, tailor-made travel experiences. The role requires deep regional knowledge, excellent supplier relationships, and the ability to handle complex itineraries for international clients from enquiry through to post-travel follow-up.

Job Type: Full-time | Permanent

Work Type: 4 days in office (to start first 2 months 5 days in office)

Location: Bryanston, Johannesburg

Requirements

• Matric/Grade 12
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an inbound travel consultant/specialist
• Proven expertise in Southern Africa inbound travel
• Strong knowledge of FIT travel, luxury and/or experiential travel
• Excellent itinerary-building, logistics and costing skills
• Experience working with international source markets
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Confident communicator with excellent written and spoken English

Systems & Tools

• Experience with Tourplan, Wetu
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / Google Workspace and applications
• Comfortable working with Customer Rates Manuals and booking platforms
• Excellent South African and Regional geographic knowledge
• Strong logistical knowledge

Competency

Personal Attributes

• Destination-driven and detail-oriented
• Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving skills
• Commercially aware with a service-first mindset
• Self-motivated, accountable, and collaborative
• Attention to detail is essential
• A mature approach when dealing with people
• Capacity for dealing with employers and workers at all levels
• Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people
• Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Integrity and Honesty
• Excellent Problem solving skills
• A desirable aspect would be Italian speaking but this is not strongly required.

Responsibilities

Sales & Itinerary Design

• Design bespoke itineraries across Southern Africa (e.g. South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho)
• Handle inbound enquiries from international trade partners
• Provide accurate, creative, and well-presented proposals within agreed turnaround times
• Confidently upsell experiences while maintaining value and guest satisfaction

Operations & Booking Management

• Manage bookings end-to-end: confirmations, amendments, reconfirmations, and final documentation
• Liaise with hotels, lodges, guides, transport providers, and DMC partners
• Ensure seamless handover to operations and support teams where applicable
• Handle high-value and complex FIT bookings with minimal supervision

Supplier & Destination Expertise

• Maintain up-to-date product and destination knowledge across Southern Africa
• Build and nurture strong supplier relationships
• Negotiate rates, allocations, and added value where appropriate
• Contribute to product development and itinerary innovation

Quality Control & Problem Solving

• Ensure accuracy of costing and margins
• Proactively resolve issues and manage changes or emergencies professionally
• Deliver a consistently high level of service aligned with brand standards