Travel Designer

 Primary Purpose

To generate and grow sales whilst maintaining required GP%, great agent relationships and high-level customer service by offering world-class itineraries to exceed agent & guests' expectations.

 To secure, cost and present product to the agent/guest accurately, efficiently, timeously by creating inspirational luxury travel. Have an excellent knowledge and good geographical understanding of all Southern and East African destinations as well as day-to-day regional logistics.

 Detailed Responsibilities

1. Develop relationships with Agents
   • Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent relationship for all
   • Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times with turnaround times of responding to quotes within 24
   • Build relationships with agents based on trust and support, knowing their business trends and guests needs, ad hoc attending relevant familiarization trips with agents (if and when required).

2. General
   • Keep Agents’ booking information updated in the ARM (likes/dislikes – booking habits )
   • Actual Agent Contact information will be updated by Sales/Reservations Operations
   • Keep updated with all Wilderness Safaris (WS) and 3rd party product (AP), as well as technology
   • Streamline operational negotiations by also reducing dead beds, waitlist chasing and maximizing camp operations role to create those life changing journeys for guests.
   • Liaise with RARA if rates, accommodation, transit points and activities are not loaded or correctly linked on the
   • Attend all WS and AP training on a weekly basis, this knowledge facilitates exceeding expectations and accuracy in the booking (East Africa specific)
   • Keep apprised of company policies, procedures and system

3. Quoting bookings – Design, develop and plan guests’ journeys
   • Quote accurately and timeously keeping in mind our strategic and preferred AP and upsell where possible to benefit both WS and the agent ensuring relevant information is obtained from the ARM prior to quoting.
   • Stipulate and utilize applicable specials in the WW and make appropriate notes as required asper AP’s systems and
   • For special needs/high risk guests, follow the customer care protocol to ensure the guests are safe to travel in the planned
   • Work with the Yield team on maximizing out bed nights and margin per
   • Understand the agents/guests needs in each booking, if email does not help clarify then call the Design itineraries around company guidelines and product knowledge e.g. area, variety, product status and service consistency in accommodation standard, distances travelled and time saving aspects.
   • Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with the agents, consistently understanding the yield implication of provisional space
   • Follow up on daily WISH/WW expiry reports with Agents ensuring no bookings are auto released and bookings are managed