Inbound Travel Specialist

Department: Sense of Africa South Africa

Location: Bryanston, Johannesburg

We are seeking an experienced Travel Specialist with strong inbound destination expertise in Southern Africa and a talent for design, cost, and management of 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.

Hybrid with 4 days in office (to start the first 2 months 5 days in office). Working hours aligned to key source market of Italy – generally between 08:30 / 09:00 and 17:00 / 17:30.

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

• Matric / Grade 12

Required Experience & Skills
Essential

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 organisational 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

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

Adesirable aspect would be Italian speaking but this is not strongly required.

• 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, organisational, and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Integrity and Honesty

The salary for this position is competitive and dependent on relevant experience.

ONLY CANDIDATES WITH THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
WHILST WE DO OUR BEST TO REPLY TO EACH APPLICATION, NON‑COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE THE CAUSE FOR OUR NON‑RESPONSE.