Relief Travel Specialist

About the position

Our Client is looking for a  Relief Travel Specialist to join their team
Location: Sandton, Johannesburg
Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the desks of consultants who are on leave (sick, annual, or educational), managing full portfolios including re-quotes, ongoing proposals, and client communication.
• Assist with brochure quotes and hosted or agent educational bookings, collaborating with the Sales team to ensure smooth trip execution.
• Participate in the implementation and testing of systems and operational procedures.
• Proactively chase provisional bookings for relevant team members.
• Follow up on inactive or "dead" leads during quieter periods.
• Support consultants by loading bookings during high-volume peak periods.
• Creatively plan and design tailored travel itineraries.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with agents, sales teams, preferred suppliers, and colleagues.
• Participate in emergency duty rotations as outlined by the Retail Emergency BOP.
• Rotate between early and late shifts weekly, ensuring team coverage.
• Maintain a calm, professional, and solutions-oriented approach when servicing agents and guests.
• Demonstrate an independent, curious, and proactive attitude.

Knowledge Required

• Deep passion for service excellence and guest satisfaction.
• Proficiency in Tourplan and Microsoft Office Suite is advantageous.
• Strong working knowledge of Southern and East Africa is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to continuously learn and support others.

Skills Required

• Thorough understanding of terms and conditions, product knowledge, and destination portfolios (both internal and third-party).
• Familiarity with travel industry channels and global market trends.
• Strong computer literacy, including:
• Tourplan (preferred)
• MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• WETU
• Ability to formulate commercial strategies and make informed business decisions.
• Knowledge of sales methodologies and processes.
• Effective problem-solving and collaborative skills.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on guest delight.
• Strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, and commitment to deadlines.
• High levels of self-motivation and adaptability.
• Administrative focus with an eagerness to share knowledge and inspire peers.
• Motivated by purpose and outcomes rather than targets.

Experience Required

• A minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in inbound tour consulting.
• Successful candidates should demonstrate:
• An enquiring, methodical, and detail-oriented approach.
• Creativity, perseverance, and patience.
• Ability to handle pressure and repetitive tasks with energy and professionalism.

Decisiveness, adaptability, and a solution-driven mindset

Desired Skills:

• Relief Travel Specialist
• Travel Relief Coordinator
• Travel Support Specialist