PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Travel Designer is responsible for generating and growing sales by securing, costing, and presenting
journeys to our Sales agents accurately, efficiently, and timeously. To be equally invested in the “win” of
each booking. The role requires a strong focus on sales, building relationships with Sales agents, and
providing exceptional customer service in a highly competitive environment with tight deadlines. The Travel
Designer must have extensive knowledge of Southern and East African destinations, regional logistics, and
in-depth supplier knowledge to maximize the mutually beneficial relationship with our AP partners, their
lodges/camps, and areas they are located.
The Travel Designer will play a vital role in driving sales, building relationships, and ensuring exceptional
customer service in a highly competitive travel industry. Their knowledge, expertise, and strong focus on
sales will contribute to the growth and success of our business.

*This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya

• Generate and grow sales by securing, costing, and presenting journeys to Sales agents in a
  timely manner
  
• Foster and build strong relationships with Sales agents to strengthen the bond and
  partnership, attending relevant familiarization trips with agents (if and when required).
  
• Deliver a speedy service to Sales agents, ensuring efficient communication and meeting tight
  deadlines.
  
• Demonstrate a strong focus on sales and be equally invested in the success of each booking.
  
• Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent
  relationship for all bookings.
  
• Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
  

• Manage the new request from the Sales agent, from quote to prov on the WW. Align the
  booking to client requirements until ready to confirm in the fastest possible time whilst
  maintaining the booking integrity on itrvl.
  
• Quote accurately and timeously keeping in mind our strategic and preferred AP and upsell
  where possible to benefit both teams.
  
• Build strong connections with all supplier reservations teams, nurture these relationships in
  order to help get more benefits when engaging regularly with them.
  
• Maximize the mutually beneficial relationship with AP partners, their lodges/camps, and areas
  they are located.
  
• Stipulate and utilize applicable specials in the WW and make appropriate notes as required as
  per AP’s systems and procedures.
• For special needs/high risk guests, flag concerns with the WS24 incident management teams
  and follow protocol to ensure the guests are safe to travel in the planned journey.
• Streamline the sales negotiations by reducing dead beds, waitlist chasing and maximizing
  camp yield during the provisional stage of the booking process, where possible upsell to
  Wilderness camps thus increasing GP per booking.
  
• Liaise with RARA if rates, accommodation, transit points and activities are not loaded or
  correctly linked on the WW.
  
• Where issues are with itrvl, raise concerns with the Wilderness itrvl integration specialist.
  
• Understand the sales agents' needs in each booking – including urgency of replies, if email
  does not help clarify first call the sales agent.
  
• Have an excellent understanding of the sales agencies preferred supplier list and great product
  knowledge to apply speedy turnaround for alternatives at play to help secure the deal
  effectively.
  
• Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with the sales agents, consistently
  understanding the yield implication of provisional space held.
  
• Follow up on daily WISH/WW expiry reports on the WW dashboard with the sales agents
  ensuring no bookings are auto released and bookings are managed effectively.
  
• Maintain the booking prov in the WW with all relevant documents uploaded in the booking file
  together with all information passed on about the guest at this stage of the booking process.
  
• For all provisional, correspond with relevant suppliers to effectively hold space, room types,
  flights and where possible use online facilities to maximize the response times.
  
• Escalate all suppliers with Res managers or product managers should there be any issue in
  the supplier service delivery.
  
• Handle all prov changes efficiently and constantly communicating with the sales agents on
  the status of all the open bookings.
  
• Once clients have paid the deposit in itrvl for the trip held, ensure the prov booking matches
  the excel with all the special offers applied, correct room types, correct flights held to connect a seamless journey before handing over to the Journey Specialist for confirmation.

• Possess excellent knowledge and intimate geographical understanding of all Southern and
  East African destinations.
  
• Stay up to date with day-to-day regional logistics and industry trends.
  
• Maintain in-depth supplier knowledge to provide accurate and valuable information to Sales
  agents and clients.
  
• Keep updated with all Wilderness and 3rd party product (AP), as well as technology update son how it’s booked on the WW.
• Have a detailed understanding of the strategic and preferred suppliers, have intimate
  knowledge of their deals, specials and packages – know how to negotiate and incorporate
  these benefits into rate reductions for the client but not compromising the elevated guest
  experience.
  
• Continuously update and enhance product knowledge through training and research.
  

• Participate in industry events, trade shows, and familiarization trips as required.
  
• Keep apprised of company policies, procedures and system updates.
  
• Embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement, actively seeking feedback and implementing suggestions for personal and professional growth.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• At least a Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality or related course.

Experience:                    

• 4-5 years with Senior experience in handling customer relationships developing &
  promoting product and building journeys in the inbound travel industry.
• In depth knowledge of Southern and East Africa.
• Personal or educational travel experience is advantageous.
• Knowledge of Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles, an added advantage.
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office: Outlook, Teams, Excel and Word).
• Working knowledge of Tour Plan and WETU or similar booking/operating system.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Skills:           

• Dynamic, creative, organized and excellent communication skills.
• Thrives under pressure in the fast-paced environment with tight deadlines without
  compromising accuracy and prioritizing demands.
• Ability to problem solve and maintaining high quality output.
• Highly detailed product knowledge – vital for speed in presenting alternatives.
• Strong financial skills, self-starter with high integrity level and ethical conduct.

Interests:                        

A passion for wildlife and a commitment to sustainability and conservation.

Apply for this position with us on WhatsApp. Simply send the word ‘Hi’ to +260761166303