Inbound Travel Specialist

Our client is Southern Africa's leading integrated tourism group, operating businesses which range from travel management companies, hotels, lodges to restaurants. They are driven by a commitment to exceptional quality, service and value; its people-centered business philosophy; the development of mutually rewarding partnerships; constant innovation; and world-class technology.

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Travel Specialist with strong inbound destination expertise in Southern Africa to design, cost, and manage high-quality, tailor-made travel experiences. The role requires deep regional knowledge, excellent supplier relationships, and the ability to handle complex itineraries for international clients from enquiry through to post-travel follow-up.

Job Type: Full-time | Permanent

Work Type: 4 days in office (to start first 2 months 5 days in office)

Location: Bryanston, Johannesburg

Requirements

• Matric/Grade 12
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an inbound travel consultant/specialist
• Proven expertise in Southern Africa inbound travel
• Strong knowledge of FIT travel, luxury and/or experiential travel
• Excellent itinerary-building, logistics and costing skills
• Experience working with international source markets
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Confident communicator with excellent written and spoken English

Systems & Tools

• Experience with Tourplan, Wetu
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / Google Workspace and applications
• Comfortable working with Customer Rates Manuals and booking platforms
• Excellent South African and Regional geographic knowledge

• Strong logistical knowledge

Competency

Personal Attributes

• Destination-driven and detail-oriented
• Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving skills
• Commercially aware with a service-first mindset
• Self-motivated, accountable, and collaborative

• 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, organizational, and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Integrity and Honesty
• Excellent Problem solving skills

• A desirable aspect would be Italian speaking but this is not strongly required.

Responsibilities

Sales & Itinerary Design

• Design bespoke itineraries across Southern Africa (e.g. South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho)
• Handle inbound enquiries from international trade partners
• Provide accurate, creative, and well-presented proposals within agreed turnaround times
• Confidently upsell experiences while maintaining value and guest satisfaction

Operations & Booking Management

• Manage bookings end-to-end: confirmations, amendments, reconfirmations, and final documentation
• Liaise with hotels, lodges, guides, transport providers, and DMC partners
• Ensure seamless handover to operations and support teams where applicable
• Handle high-value and complex FIT bookings with minimal supervision

Supplier & Destination Expertise

• Maintain up-to-date product and destination knowledge across Southern Africa
• Build and nurture strong supplier relationships
• Negotiate rates, allocations, and added value where appropriate
• Contribute to product development and itinerary innovation

Quality Control & Problem Solving

• Ensure accuracy of costing and margins
• Proactively resolve issues and manage changes or emergencies professionally
• Deliver a consistently high level of service aligned with brand standards