Manager - Business Development and Sales
Illusions Online Arabia
Total years of experience :30 years, 3 Months
Illusions Online is a travel technology company that offers an unparalleled software for Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies and Travel Agents to manage their entire business operation involving Client Management, B2B/B2C booking engine, Car Hire, CRM, predefined Packaging, Services Contract Management, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Financial/Operational/Managerial Reporting, etc.
My main task is to promote the software through my contacts within the travel trade on a global level. Involves extensive traveling to various parts of the world for meetings with potential clients. Requires for designing of price structures to suit individual client preferences whilst keeping in mind our own company policies and requirements.
Managed all aspects of the airline’s Holidays Department involving marketing planning, preparing the operational, marketing & sales budgets, product negotiation, creation & pricing, developing marketing strategies, advertising & promotions, operations (call centre & back office) and reporting.
Successfully promoted holiday products from the home base, devising products and strategies to stay ahead of the sales targets even during the recession period. Liaised with outstations to develop holiday products for their markets based on preferences, competition and seasonality. Conducted system and product presentations to the trade at various destinations within the airline network and also attended useful exhibitions to promote the products.
Developed the SRS (System Requirement Specification) for the IT Department to tailor make an online reservations system for the Holidays Department. Tested the initial product and advised periodical enhancements to further develop the system and make it more user friendly. Overlooked the product availability on the system and conducted various promotions to propagate the online access to the general public.
Reporting to the Manager - Air Arabia Holidays, I managed a team of staff handling the call center of the holidays department and also the back office functionality. Also assisted the Holidays Manager in the product development, marketing and system development. Submitted periodical reports on the calls, sales, etcetera, along with the require finance reports on a monthly basis.
Attended various exhibitions and conducted workshops for the trade to enhance the holidays products within the network of the airline.
Ensured that the holidays online system was always updates with all the required holidays products catering to the base station as well as various outstations. Kept IT department updated with various system issues & hindrances as well as recommended enhancements.
Working directly under the Senior Manager Marketing, I was solely responsible for the running of the section.
Initially employed in the position of a Tours Assistant with a gradual rise to the position of a Supervisor and upward to Senior Officer.
Have conducted various workshops for the trade and have been involved in numerous promotional activities throughout the airline’s network.
Represented Oman Air Holidays at various international travel & tourism exhibitions such as ITB, WTM, ATM, etcetera.
Achieved profitable results for the department with valuable support towards the increment of the seat factor for the airline.
The airline received the ‘Tourism Promoter of the Year’ award for 2002 as a direct result of my work with SMS in creating the ‘Magic of Muscat’ package and successfully promoting the same after 9/11.
Main responsibility was to generate business from inbound and outbound holidays. Created products, priced, marketed and sold them, attending travel exhibitions and made the monthly reports for the Manager-Travel & Tourism.
This led to the creation of Oman Air Holidays.
Handled the books of accounts, cash flow, preparation of a Profit & Loss Statement and a Balance Sheet.
Also assisted in the day-to-day tour operations as well as preparation of group costing and tour guiding.
Passed with Distinction