Senior Travel Consultant-Africa

Come and join one of the world’s leading luxury travel brands. 60 years after Geoffrey Kent founded A&K, we’re still setting the standard for adventurous, luxury holidays. Whichever role you join us in, whether customer facing or behind the scenes, everyone has their part to play in creating one‑of‑a‑kind journeys that go beyond our clients’ high expectations.

Purpose

The role of a Senior Travel Consultant is to take responsibility for existing Abercrombie & Kent clients and build upon our rapidly growing client base. You will be creating memorable journeys, looking after the client from initial contact through to building itineraries, confirming travel arrangements, making contact upon their return, and setting up their next exciting experience of Abercrombie & Kent.

Responsibilities

• At the earliest opportunity, contact enquiries requesting a brochure with a view to nurturing this initial enquiry into an active sales lead.
• Ensure familiarity with all regional product developments – especially those promoted on the A&K website, in brochures, magazines and other marketing collateral, including special offers.
• Participate in daily morning catch‑ups with your Regional Sales Manager, providing a clear view of your enquiries, quotes, pre‑ and post‑calls for the day.
• Daily updates with a complete to‑do list are required.
• Attend product training sessions and company‑sponsored educational trips.
• Attend and actively participate in all learning opportunities, offering expertise to the training team to increase knowledge across the business.
• Complete relevant educational pre‑ and post‑trip paperwork, including preparing and delivering a presentation to your team and the office.
• Use effective questioning techniques to establish client requirements and then use product knowledge to create bespoke itineraries that match these preferences.
• Ensure itinerary proposals, including quotes, are delivered within 24 hrs. If this is not possible, keep the client updated on progress.
• Prepare quotes within the acceptable margin parameters set by management.
• Maintain a professional, friendly relationship with the client throughout the booking process, keeping them informed of progress and booking status.
• Call the client pre‑travel and post‑travel to seek feedback, pre‑empt problems and maintain a courteous relationship.
• Encourage the client to complete a post‑travel questionnaire.
• Resolve post‑travel issues professionally, expediently and diplomatically, always aiming to exceed expectations.
• Fully research itineraries using the in‑house system, Amadeus for flight information, manuals and guides as needed.
• Consult ground handlers before a quotation becomes a booking and advise the client of likely timescales.

General

• Follow all company processes and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and recommend enhancements when appropriate.
• Actively participate in and implement learning from all available hard and soft‑skills training.
• Cover for absent colleagues to maintain seamless client service.
• Represent Abercrombie & Kent at client events and trade exhibitions as a brand ambassador.

Revenue & Profitability

• Manage itineraries from initial quote to bookings and repeat business, ensuring maximum conversion to bookings.
• Stay aware of individual and team sales targets and work to achieve or exceed them.
• Maximise margin by adhering to margin guidelines and eliminating mistakes through precise use of the reservation system.

Sales Performance

• Promote A&K DMCs and end‑user products.
• Collect and increase client information to maintain relevance.
• Elicit and record reasons for non‑booking to learn and improve future proposals.
• Sign off the file post‑travel to secure repeat business and recommendations.

About You (Qualifications)

• Experience of travel within Africa (essential)
• Passion for travel
• Travel industry experience (desirable)
• Sales‑driven and focused
• Positive team player
• Articulate and creative
• Keen to progress and develop a career in travel
• Enthusiastic and fun

What We Offer

• Competitive salary plus commission
• Company pension plan from start of employment with increasing employer contributions after 5 and 10 years of service
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell 5 days
• Discounted trips through the A&K Travel Group Travel Benefit Program (includes friends and family)
• Discounted gym membership – up to £35/month at Virgin Active (London) or through GymFlex
• Life assurance (2× base salary paid as a tax‑free sum)
• Enhanced paid parental leave – 18 weeks full pay regardless of gender
• Employee assistance program with wellbeing resources and counselling
• £1,000 recruitment referral bonus
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Regular social events

To learn more about the position, please email hr@abercrombiekent.co.uk.

Why work for A&K

What makes A&K a great place to work is the people. They foster a supportive environment that makes you proud to work for A&K, with ongoing training and opportunities to progress your career not just in the UK but globally. We also make a difference: Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) has supported local communities around the world for 40 years and was recognised by Which? for caring for our clients during the pandemic. Abercrombie & Kent is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.