Branch Manager
Al Ghaith and Al Moosa Travel Agency LLC
Total years of experience :25 years, 7 months
Inducted as Supervisor, Corporate Travel, charted an exponential growth path to merit promotion as Branch Manager.
Designation Chronology:
• Jan ‘09 - Present: Branch Manager
• Sept ‘05 - Dec ‘08: Supervisor, Corporate Travel
Key Responsibilities as Branch Manager (Jan ‘09 - Present):
• Planning, organizing, directing and controlling all aspects of branch operations including financial, budgetary and administrative control.
• Maneuvering the existing business forward by identifying new, profitable opportunities and converting them into commercial contracts.
• Steering growth through day-to-day management of significant commercial issues as well as through strategic marketing and business development solutions.
• Analyzing tour packages, capitalizing on evolving market trends and customer demands, strategizing discounted plans to attract customers whilst maintaining optimal profit margins.
• Planning itineraries for travelers, meeting customers personalized travel requirements and scheduling travel plans. Streamlining processes and procedures so that all service levels are met, proactively managing problems.
• Coordinating with clients and determining destination and travel dates and subsequently liaising with travel partners, including airlines and hotels, to manage bookings and schedules.
• Augmenting business/ profits by securing new deals, implementing a focused approach as GSAs (Saudi Airlines, Syrian Airlines, Smart Wings, United Airways etc) in Bur Dubai / Sheikh Zayed Road Area.
• Attending meeting with top Management to discuss strategy and future trends. Expounding operational performance of the team through close monitoring, and updating the management with regular sales reports.
• Consistently demonstrating corporate values, encouraging and assisting team members to achieve their goals/targets. Recruiting, training and maintaining a motivated staff to achieve branch goals.
• Staying attuned to market dynamics and competitor activities, serving existing and prospective clients with reference to changing market trends and service issues.
Highlights and Key Responsibilities as Supervisor, Corporate Travel (Sept ‘05 - Dec ’08)
• Successfully handled more than 90 high-end corporate clients. Effectively used up-selling and cross selling techniques to enhance client experience, increase company revenue and promote travel destinations.
• Received Best Sales Staff Award for the year 2007.
• Designed customized itineraries whilst ensuring that products and services meet the customer needs.
• Conferred with clients to determine destination, mode of transportation, appropriate travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required for domestic/ international travel.
• Promoted/ sold holiday and business travel products to corporate clients. Met and exceeded travel sales and revenue targets and department's call servicing levels while providing exceptional and cost effective customer service.
• Liaised with branches and airlines to obtain updates on latest incentives and special fares scheme.
• Organized client presentations to provide area-specific travel information like geographic features, local customs, restaurants, special events, and points of interest.
• Met budgeted targets, reconciled billings, handled various financial matters as well as refund processing.
• Ensured all necessary documentation is accurately completed as well as adherence to all regulations pertaining to travel products.
Key Responsibilities as Travel & Tour Consultant (Jan ‘03 - May ‘05)
• Explored the best tourism places to attract more customers and kept abreast of latest happenings across the world to promote company’s products and maximize sales.
• Designed itineraries and provided cost estimates utilizing online booking tools such as World Span, Amadeus and GTA.
• Assisted in product development, planned customized tour programs, proficiently provided value-added services to customers, thereby enhanced their satisfaction levels.
• Handled SOTC, world famous tours and managed all aspects of travel operations. Arranged travel bookings, transportation and hotel reservations.
• Assisted clients in fulfilling their travel requirements and requests with suitable travel itineraries and associated travel information.
• Liaised between clients and service providers to deal with sales and any issue that arise - flight changes, accommodation changes, date amendments.
• Imparted domestic/ international travel information to client including passport, visa, inoculation requirements, customs regulations, and currency exchange rates.
Previous Professional Experiences:
August 94 - March 99: Counter Staff, Aspin Travels, Kodungallur, Kerala.
Specialized in Marketing and Sytems.
Other Trainings and Certifications: • Seatrade Middle East Travel Agent Training, October 2011 • Travel Business Leader Training, DTTAG, Dubai, November 2010 • The New Indian Express Daily, Chennai, India, January to March 2005 • World Span Reservation System, World Span Training Center, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia, April 2003 • SOTC Advanced Product Training, Mumbai, March 2003 • STIC Travels Pvt Ltd, Marketing Division, Chennai, June 2000 • Amadeus Reservation System, Amadeus Training Center, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia • Online National Tourism Board Trainings, Visit Brit, Austrian Travel Specialist and Thailand Tourism Board Trainings