Shahzad Ahmed

My key role is to help the company grow and expand its travel network in UK. I am responsible to develop and implement the business plan, induct and manage the human resources & operations, lead the team towards achieving company’s goals and make the company a profitable travel management company. I also manage company’s key functions such as Airline deals for Hajj & Umrah blocks, GDS partnerships and contracts via key industry suppliers and Marketing plans.

Skylord Travel Group Plc UK having branches in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London. We are dealing with 47 airlines and top consolidator for EK, EY, QR, KL, AF, LX, LH, CX, SQ, TG, MH, TK, RJ, 9W etc, .

Taking care existing clients (TMC & Corporate) as well as looking for new business. Maintaining strong relations with clients, and airlines heads to get my work done easily and quickly such as on-time payment recovery, healthy business share from sub agents and corporate clients. Negotiating with airlines for Hajj / Umrah Blocks i.e. EK, EY, GF, LH, RJ, TK. Responsible for updating airlines fare contracts, memos and then updating all reservation / ticketing staff on time accordingly. Also responsible for smooth office operation, discipline etc and reporting direct to branch director. Always achieved above the given target £2Million (Hit £2.3Million+ in 2015)

As Sales & Support Executives was giving personalised attention to major commercial clients and top productive travel agents by attending to their specific needs and enquiries to encourage repeat business. Co-ordinate the ticketing requirements for major events sponsored/supported by Emirates. Provide the most competitive fare quote and other travel related information to Emirates corporate clients, keeping in mind at all times to convert enquiries into firm business to generate additional revenue and to hit the required target on time. Collecting market information from Travel Agents and appraising the Sales Manager with competitor’s activities and fare etc.

Worked for world-renowned GDS Company Galileo Int’l at Peshawar base and was taking care for the entire region (NWFP) & Afghanistan. After my joining I made some major changes in the internal working environment, which helped in increasing the efficiency. Renovated new office, systematized all office network, groomed sales team, hence generated business for the company. My role was to lead team of dedicated IT & Travel professionals, continue to expand the network in NWFP region, strengthen the relationship with major key suppliers in the travel market and establish Galileo as the premier travel technology solution provider in the area. Keeping deep eye on MIDT reports for competitor’s activity and for strategic move plans. Galileo’s higher management always revitalizing my efforts.

Details of some responsibilities are given below.
• Identification of prospects, preparation of comprehensive proposals.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with existing and potential agents of north region.
• Preparation of Annual targets and assignments of the team.
• New Product deployments including Agency Accounting Software (BOSS-4)
• Pursuit key accounts of competitor.
• Airline relationship and vendors issues handling.
• Manage technical and sales support for NWFP region.
• Initiatives & Marketing of new approaches.
• Conducting seminars, workshops. Annual awards ceremony and product training's.
• Market Exploration

Promote Thai Airways in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Liaison with corporate and walk-in clients. Acquiring major corporate accounts and overseeing daily business activities as well as keeping awareness of the ever-changing market situation. Was having monthly schedule visit plan to visit travel agents to promote Thai Airways, reporting directly to Sales Manager. Was responsible for the entire region’s Travel Agents for achieving the target sales revenues. Arranging and actively participating in management meetings with Travel Agents concerning incentive schemes and establishing plans for achieving targets. Achieve sales targets (Revenue; Passenger & Yield) through Commercial houses in order to support the planned growth of the business. Convert the market potential into concrete business through sales visits, presentations and sales promotions. Monitor competitor activities to keep abreast with market conditions, reporting opportunities / threats to Sales Manager so that necessary action could be considered and taken.

Prepared sales plans and forecasts for nominated accounts and travel agents and provided an accurate representation of current sales. Delivered results against company commercial objectives and identified, designed and implemented a sales strategy. Duties also day-to-day visit to travel agents and corporate houses. Pricing, ad hoc fare calculation and proration as well as arranging familiarisation trip for travel agents. Group reservations, promoting Stay-A-While and Hong-Kong Super City tour packages, hotel & layover arrangements and visa processing. Developed a strong and healthy customer relationship and maintained a high level of professional link with Regional Head Office (Bahrain) Staff and management.