Senior Travel Specialist (FIT's)

Craven Cottage CC; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 334,800 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury travel consultancy in Randburg seeks a seasoned professional with at least 5 years of experience in inbound tourism. You will conduct in-depth consultations with high-end clients to design personalized itineraries that include luxury accommodations and exclusive experiences. Applicants should have strong supplier relationships, excellent geographical knowledge of South Africa, and the ability to solve problems efficiently. The position offers a dynamic environment requiring both attention to detail and exceptional communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years Inbound Tourism industry experience in a senior role dealing with the high-end, luxury markets.
• Experience in tailor-made FIT itineraries.
• Excellent South African and Regional geographic knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth consultations with high-end clients to understand their travel preferences.
• Create personalized travel itineraries including luxury accommodations.
• Manage logistics for seamless trips including flight details and transfers.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Integrity and honesty

Organizational skills

Education

Matric / Grade 12

Travel & Tourism qualification

Tools

Tourplan

Job description

Duties

• Client Consultation: Conduct in-depth consultations with high-end clients to understand their travel preferences, interests, and specific requirements.
• Customized Itinerary Design: Create highly personalized travel itineraries, including luxury accommodations, private transportation, exclusive experiences and dining reservations, tailored to each client’s needs.
• Supplier Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure exclusive deals and experiences for clients.
• Destination Knowledge: Excellent South Africa and Regional knowledge required.
• Logistics Management: Ensure seamless logistics for each trip, including managing flight details, transfers and other travel arrangements.
• Client Communication: Excellent Communication skills within depth detail.
• Problem Solving: Handle unexpected issues or changes to travel plans with professionalism and efficiency, ensuring minimal disruption to the client’s experience.
• Documentation: Prepare detailed travel itineraries, travel documents and other relevant information for clients.

Quoting & Reservations

• Acknowledge receipt of written requests received from agents and ensure quick turn‑around times.
• Respond to written requests and provide written confirmations.
• Opening of client files according to company standards.
• Loading reservations on Tourplan.
• Ensure confirmation of services with suppliers.
• Stay in constant communication with agents with regards to status of reservations, payment requirements, deadlines and conditions of reservations.
• Arrange Meet and Greets as required.
• Handling and escalating client complaints.
• Manage MOD phone and queries as required.

Payments & Account Queries

• Ensure that clients invoiced for all services and invoices provided to clients timeously.
• Manage payments and Account queries.
• Follow up on payments.
• Liaise with Finance department with regards to queries.
• Ensure payment conditions are strictly adhered to.
• Keep Manager informed of possible problems.
• Arrange pre-payments.

Financial Reporting

• Explanation of variances.
• Margin Management (high & low).
• Reconciling of files.

Administration

• Full understanding and follow-through of all divisional procedures and policies.
• Submit timeous reports as requested and adhere to deadlines.
• Maintain complete confidentiality with all company intellectual capital.
• Ensure that all documentation has been filed and that files are updated.

Client Relationships

• Ensure client expectations are met and the highest delivery of service is driven through the business.
• Build and retain relationships with clients.
• Ensure effective communication with clients at all times.
• Ensure that all correspondence, documentation, proposals, presentations are delivered accurately and timeously.

Supplier Relationships

• Commitment to and building relationships with preferred partners.
• Establishing best product.
• Personal development on destinations and products.
• Actively source new products and creative ideas.

Team Work

• Build and maintain good relationships within the team.
• Pro‑actively get involved.
• Assist in areas of expertise.
• Flexibility to assist colleagues out of normal office hours, when and if required.

Learning & Development

• Continuously develop product knowledge, attend industry events, seminars, conferences, and participate in supplier workshops, educationals and trade shows.
• Keep abreast of industry trends.
• Attend all internal training interventions.

Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12.
• Minimum 5 years Inbound Tourism industry experience in a senior role dealing with the high‑end, luxury markets.
• Experience in tailor‑made FIT itineraries.
• Travel & Tourism qualification would be preferable.
• Tourplan knowledge and execution would be preferable.
• Excellent South African and Regional geographic knowledge.
• 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, organisational, and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• English competency (speaking, reading & writing).
• Integrity and Honesty.
• Excellent Problem‑solving skills.