Destination Specialist - Groups (DMC/Safari/Travel)

Our client continuously excels in arranging all aspects of destination management services in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. Their source markets have grown continuously and now include Europe, Asia, South and North America.

 

Role overview

To successfully quote profitable tour products for existing as well as new clients.

 

Job Type: Full Time/Permanent

Location: Namibia

Work Place: Hybrid

 

Requirements

• Proven experience in the inbound travel or DMC industry, specifically handling groups, tour series, and FIT bookings across Southern or East Africa.
• Strong destination knowledge of Southern and East African countries (e.g. Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, etc.).
• Skilled in quoting, itinerary design, costing, and supplier negotiation.
• Hands-on experience using Tourplan or similar travel booking systems.
• Excellent supplier and agent relationship management skills.
• Strong sales acumen with the ability to secure profitable business.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills.
• Willingness to travel locally and regionally for educational and supplier trips.

 

Responsibilities

Sales

• Secure business and effectively cost products
• Understand the market and margin control
• Build up and maintain agent and supplier relationships
• Source new products
• Develop own sales strategy to secure more business through existing and new agents
• Work closely with the team to achieve goals

Operations

• Quote and design successful creative itineraries and proposals for all market related ADHOC groups, Tour Series and FIT requests
• Capture and confirm bookings in Tourplan
• Negotiate with suppliers for better rates, cancellation policies and FOCs
• Find new suppliers that offer a good service and better rates
• Follow up on quotes that have been sent out
• Successfully run groups, tour series, and FIT booking
• Compile welcome pack documents
• Create co-pilots according to itineraries
• Handling the 24hour emergency phone
• Prepare guide documentation and brief guide before travel date
• Work closely with tour guides whilst on tour

Financial

• Instruct debtors to raise invoices
• Reconcile supplier invoices for processing
• Assist debtors clerk with invoicing / collection queries.
• Reconcile tour guide expense sheets on completion of tours and check guide salary invoices.

Additional responsibilities:

• Participate in supplier training and workshops
• Reduce the transaction turnaround time
• Demonstrate good communication skills and customer care
• Stay current on events and changes of suppliers and products.
• Travel on educational and familiarizations trips

 

Sundry Areas:

It is expected of all employees to perform not only the tasks mentioned in the job description, but also directly allocated or extraordinary tasks that could arise.

 

Benefits

• Medical Aid
• Life Insurance
• Death & Disability insurance
• Funeral Cover
• Hybrid office environment with flexible work hours
• Study Leave available for relevant business-related studies
• Financial assistance for your studies (after min. one year of working with us)
• Long-service award bonus