Senior Travel Consultant-Africa in Cheltenham

Come and join one of the world's leading luxury travel brands. 60 years after Geoffrey Kent founded A&K, we are still setting the standard for adventurous luxury holidays. Whichever role you join, whether customer facing or behind the scenes, everyone has a part to play in creating one‑of‑a‑kind journeys that go beyond our clients’ high expectations. With 55 offices worldwide and an unmatched network of connections across the globe, we offer adventures that cannot be experienced with any other tour provider.

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 create 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 with A&K.

Responsibilities

• At the earliest opportunity, contact enquiries requesting a brochure and nurture this initial enquiry into an active sales lead.
• Proactively ensure familiarity with all product developments in your region, especially those promoted on the A&K website, with brochures, magazines and any other marketing collateral, including special offers.
• Participate in daily morning catch‑ups with your Regional Sales Manager, offering them a clear view of how many enquiries, quotes pre‑ and post‑calls you have for that day.
• It is expected that a comprehensive daily update is provided with complete visibility of your to‑do list.
• Routinely attend product training sessions, including company‑sponsored educational trips.
• Attend and actively participate in all learning opportunities, offering your expertise to the training team where requested to increase knowledge across the business.
• Complete the relevant educational pre‑ and post‑trip paperwork, including the preparation and delivery of a presentation to your team and the office.
• Use effective questioning techniques to establish client requirements and then use your product knowledge to create a bespoke itinerary matching these preferences.
• Ensure that itinerary proposals with quotes are produced and delivered to the client within 24 hrs. If this is not possible, the client must be kept up to date with progress.
• Prepare quotes within the acceptable margin parameters set by the management team.
• Maintain an efficient, professional and friendly relationship with the client throughout the booking process.
• Maintain regular contact with clients (and travel agents) to keep them informed of progress and status of booking, including updates on developments.
• Pre‑travel and post‑travel calls to seek feedback, pre‑empt any problems and maintain a courteous relationship.
• Encourage the client to complete a post‑travel questionnaire.
• Take responsibility for any post‑travel problem solving in a professional, expedient and diplomatic manner, always looking to exceed expectations and deliver total client satisfaction.
• Fully research all itineraries from the information/costings held on our in‑house system or on file Amadeus for flight information, manuals and guides where necessary.
• Consult with our ground handlers before a quotation becomes a booking. Consultant must ensure that the client is advised of the likely timescale for this process.
• Reliably follow all company processes and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency. Additionally, you should look to make recommendations for enhancements.
• Actively participate in and implement learning from all available hard‑ and soft‑skills training.
• Provide cover for absent colleagues so that service delivery to clients is seamless and maintained.
• Represent Abercrombie & Kent at client events and trade exhibitions and be an ambassador for the brand.
• Proactively manage the progress of itineraries from initial quote through to bookings and repeat business—specifically following up all itinerary proposals sent to clients to ensure maximum conversion to bookings and maximise revenue and profit.
• This involves the deliberate application of sales techniques.
• Be aware of individual and team sales targets and always work to ensure these are achieved or exceeded.
• Maximise margin through adherence to the set margin guidelines and eliminate mistakes through the precise use of the reservations system.
• Actively promote A&K DMCs and end‑user product.
• Collect and increase client information to ensure relevant data is retained.
• Elicit and record specific reasons why a proposed trip did not result in a booking to learn directly from the client and use this knowledge in the future.
• Sign off the file post‑travel, securing repeat business and recommendations.

About you

• Experience of travel within this region (essential)
• Passionate about travel
• Travel industry experience (desirable)
• Sales driven and focused
• A positive team player
• Articulate and creative
• Keen to progress and develop a career within the travel industry
• Enthusiastic and fun

What we offer

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

Why work for A&K

What makes A&K a great place to work is the people. It’s our people who foster the supportive environment that will make you proud to work for A&K. There will also be ongoing training and the opportunity to progress your career, not just in the UK but as part of our global business. We are also a company that makes a difference. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) has supported local communities around the world for the past 40 years and we were recognised by Which for looking after our clients during the pandemic.

EEO Statement

Abercrombie & Kent is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.