Senior Travel Advisor

Kendrick Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary negotiable

Full-time

Live-out

Job summary

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking a Senior Travel Advisor for a luxury lodge in Cape Town. The role focuses on designing personalised itineraries, nurturing client relationships, and delivering exceptional service to high-end clients.

The successful candidate will manage multi-destination Africa itineraries, coordinate with lodge teams, and help grow bookings and ancillary revenue while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and professional representation of the lodge.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in luxury travel, safari sales, or high-end DMC operations.
• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proactive, detailed-focused and able to handle high-pressure requests.
• Strong understanding of Africa regional itineraries and luxury hospitality.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with guests, luxury travel advisors, and DMC partners.
• Design highly personalised, multi-destination itineraries across Africa.
• Drive bookings and ancillary revenue through upselling extensions and experiences.
• Coordinate with lodge teams to ensure seamless client journeys.
• Represent the lodge at luxury travel events and training sessions.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Itinerary design

Sales & revenue

Client service

Time management

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Travel Advisor – Luxury Lodge | Cape Town

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced and professional Senior Travel Advisor to join a luxury lodge in Cape Town. This role is ideal for a skilled travel professional who excels in designing personalised itineraries, nurturing client relationships, and delivering exceptional service to high-end clientele.

Key Responsibilities:

Relationship Building & Trade Engagement

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with guests, luxury travel advisors, and DMC partners across key global markets

• Represent the lodge with professionalism and warmth, becoming a trusted extension of partner relationships

• Interpret client and advisor preferences intuitively, adapting communication style as needed

• Manage sensitive requests and high-pressure situations with maturity and composure

Tailored Itinerary Design

• Design highly personalised, multi-destination itineraries across Africa, incorporating private transfers, regional flights, boutique hotels, guided experiences, and hidden gems

• Ensure every journey is executed with precision, creativity, and attention to detail

• Anticipate challenges proactively and implement solutions to maintain service excellence

Sales & Revenue

• Convert enquiries into confirmed bookings through expert guidance and responsiveness

• Drive ancillary revenue through thoughtful upselling of extensions, flights, and bespoke experiences

• Manage margins, allocations, and inventory in collaboration with reservations and revenue teams

• Understand that exceptional service is a driver of profitability

Coordination & Execution

• Oversee the entire client journey, from enquiry to return home

• Liaise with internal lodge teams, operations, logistics, and guest services to ensure seamless delivery

• Remain flexible and responsive across multiple time zones and during travel

• Ensure all itinerary elements are documented, confirmed, and executed accurately

Product Mastery & Brand Representation

• Maintain expert knowledge of the lodge and partner products

• Conduct site inspections and provide insights to support product and sales strategies

• Represent the lodge at luxury travel events, training sessions, and webinars

• Share knowledge within the team, modelling values of empathy, excellence, and professionalism

Requirements:

• 5+ years’ experience in luxury travel, safari sales, or high-end DMC operations

• Warm, engaging, and authentic communicator with the ability to build trust

• Mature, flexible, and calm approach to working hours and service demands

• Exceptional attention to detail in itinerary design and execution

• Commercially astute, recognising that care drives conversion

• In-depth knowledge of South Africa’s safari regions, Cape Town, and the Winelands

• Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Proficient in travel and CRM systems, as well as Microsoft Office

• Passionate about Africa, conservation, and meaningful hospitality

• Love for nature, people, and creating memorable experiences

Package:

• Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience

• Full-time, live-out position

This role is ideal for a seasoned travel professional who thrives in a luxury hospitality environment and is dedicated to creating personalised, world-class experiences for discerning clients.