Travel Expert

**TRAVEL Expert**
**JOB SPECIFICATION**

**Location**:Cape Town
**Start date**:Immediate

Mahlatini Luxury Travel is an award winning Africa & Indian Ocean specialist with a global, high-end customer base. Reflecting exceptional service levels, a reputation for expertise and a growing legion of loyal clients. Mahlatini Luxury Travel is searching for an experienced, self-motivated and ambitious Senior Travel Expert to join its South African office; an extension of its successful, established UK operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned travel professional to join a leading luxury tour operator at its next pivotal stage of development. The successful individual will have a demonstrable passion for travel, with at least 5 years proven track record selling luxury, tailor-made African holidays to an international clientele. Using their in-depth knowledge, the successful individual will design tailor-made luxury itineraries for our discerning clients. They will be responsible for converting warm leads into sales in a target driven environment. In addition the ability to deliver excellence and highly personalised customer service is paramount. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are also essential.

WHY WORK AT MAHLATINI?
- Attractive salaries and bonuses
- Continuous professional development
- Flexible, hybrid working
- Committed to responsible tourism
- Indulge your passion for travel
- Strong 'one team' ethos

RESPONSIBILITIES
- The creation of high quality, tailor-made itineraries for a wide range of client segments, from honeymooners to families.
- Responsibility for the end-to-end sales process including planning, costing, implementing and confirming itineraries; through to post-travel communications
- High quality presentation of travel itineraries customised to the client’s unique requirements, along with supply of relevant supporting information and advice
- Delivery of gold standard client service at all stages of the sales process to engender repeat and referral business
- Proactive expansion of product knowledge keeping abreast of all latest industry news and developments to ensure expertise and specialism in all destinations is maintained
- Maintain up-to-date commercial knowledge and in-depth knowledge of properties, flight routings and logistics
- Engender good working relationship with colleagues and trade partners; and exhibit a strong team ethic.

An in-depth understanding is required of the destinations within Mahlatini’ s travel portfolio and first-hand knowledge is essential. As such, from time to time, you will be required to visit these destinations on research trips.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL
- 5 years Travel Consultant experience in a tailor-made travel environment
- First-hand knowledge of our core destinations specifically within sub-Saharan Africa
- 3 years experience working with complex Southern Africa and East African itineraries (cross country Safari)
- Demonstrable sales acumen in a target-driven environment
- Excellent communicator
- Excellent customer service skills
- Advanced levels of IT literacy
- Highly organised with strong time management skills
- Strong attention-to-detail
- Results-orientated

DESIRED
- In depth knowledge/experience of Sub Saharan Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands or UAE
- GDS / flight operating systems

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Passionate about travel especially commitment to Africa with ability to draw on your own experiences to provide specialist advice
- Highly energetic and motivated by sales targets
- Enjoy working in a fast paced and collaborative environment
- Strong team ethic

Mahlatini Luxury Travel is a trading division of Luxury Travel Ltd and provides 100% financial protection through its membership of both the Travel Trust Association (U7098) and the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL T7316).

PACKAGE
- A competitive salary (related to skills and experience)
- Opportunities to grow and develop within a dynamic, expanding team

OTHER
- Working hours:

- Monday to Friday 40 hours per week
- Office located 3 Min walk from Rondebosch train station
- Hybrid working available after completion of probation period

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: R25,000.00 - R35,000.00 per month