SALES & RESERVATIONS SPECIALIST ROLE BASED IN CAPE TOWN

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and highly motivated Sales & Reservations Specialist to join our luxury tourism team. This role demands a genuine passion for travel, exceptional customer service skills, and the ability to effectively convert leads into bookings. You will support the sales team by managing client inquiries, both for direct bookings and through the trade channel, ensuring a seamless reservation process from start to finish. While the role will primarily focus on reservations and booking management, it will also require conducting presentations with clients and travel partners, both online and in person. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the luxury travel industry and the travel trade channel, with a talent for creating unforgettable experiences for high-net-worth clients.

 

THE COMPANY

The pioneer of luxury travel to the Antarctic interior since 2005.

Established by record-breaking polar explorer duo Patrick and Robyn Woodhead in 2005, White Desert was born out of a desire to allow people other than scientists and polar explorers to see the wonders of the interior of Antarctica. The company has been established for 20 years and now employs around 150 people from 18 different nationalities.

Founded with environmentally conscious principles at its core, White Desert was the first operator to build a luxury camp and to pioneer the use of private jet travel in Antarctica. Carbon neutral since 2007, the company has also diversified over the last 5 years, and rather than just taking tourists into Antarctica, we now deliver over 150 scientists to their research bases each season. This allows scientific research to continue using shared and efficient logistics.

 

THE ROLE

• Within the team, answer all enquiries to ensure a less than 24-hour turnaround between email and White Desert response.
• Enquiries include, but are not limited to rates enquiries, availability, potential collaboration, new bookings, marketing collateral, and more.
• Set up calls with clients / agents following a booking enquiry, offering a more detailed overview and presentation of the White Desert experience.
• Inputting guest, agent & company data into the Client Management System (Hubspot) on a daily basis to keep data integrity and ensure accurate reporting.
• Ensure all bookings are up to date in Hubspot and linked to the relevant agent & company.
• Assist in the creation of invoices to be sent to clients through Benson
• Work with the team to ensure smooth transition of booking confirmation to client onboarding.
• Follow up with guests/ agents to ensure all guest information required for a booking is received in time (cancellation, waiver and medical forms are signed and returned, etc).
• Offer further advice and assistance for guests on insurance needs for Antarctica.
• Providing support and following proper escalation procedures when addressing guest or agent concerns.
• Provide exceptional customer service by anticipating and fulfilling client needs, offering recommendations and advice to enhance the overall travel experience
• Sales support for Head of Sales with tradeshows, international sales trips arrangements and other sales-related activities.

 

THE PERSON, REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum 5 years experience in luxury tourism reservations and / or sales
• Proven track record of delivering efficient and accurate reservations services with a strong detail orientation and accuracy
• Excellent ability to build and manage relationships within a team and organisation, as well as industry peers and suppliers.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Team player who shares ideas and learning with others
• Professional presentation with a sense of fun and adventure
• Interest in or experience of database management
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business
• Additional European languages a bonus
• Excited by travel, winter sports and Antarctica
• Excellent ability to build and manage relationships with senior people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures

 

GENERAL

• The above outlines the primary responsibilities for the roles/duties, is not exhaustive and may be changed at any time, dependent upon the operational requirements of White Desert Limited and within the parameters of the position; and
• From time to time, the performance of duties outside the sphere of this job description will be required, as and when necessary, dependent upon the operational requirements of White Desert Limited, this includes but is not limited to actively contributing to the daily maintenance of the White Desert Camps and ensuring a standard duty of care.
• In addition, there is an all-embracing expectation that each team member will work collaboratively within the team framework and that each team member is responsible for maintaining a supportive environment in line with the White Desert ethos.

 

LOCATION

• Cape Town, South Africa

 

Please send your CV, cover letter and include position you will be applying for in subject line to [email protected]