MANAGER Leisure Operations
Kanoo Travel
Total years of experience :32 years, 4 Months
Work closely with other managers in Travel Services to design, implement, and maintain agency enhancements that ensure complete integration with those services (i.e. online booking tool, hotel and car rental programs).
Participate in activities to assess and select appropriate tools aimed at improving operational process efficiencies as well as capturing data that will lead to improved ability to identify and target strategic operational initiatives.
Finalizing the budgets, quarterly targets and staff incentives for the department
Contracting with major suppliers around the globe in all major destinations like Europe, USA and Far East etc negotiating on the best rates and booking procedures.
Communicate across the organization with respect to implementation of new service programs as well as changes to existing programs.
Interact as required with leadership, staff, and client-service professionals to manage risks associated with ensuring the effective implementation of new operational processes.
Lead role in strategic sourcing data analysis, the competitive bidding process \[RFI, RFP\], evaluating competing suppliers and supply markets, developing appropriate procurement strategy for various travel suppliers, negotiating contracts, assisting in the development of implementation and communication plans.
Interact with client service partners when clients are either current suppliers or being considered as potential suppliers to the organization.
Lead the development of supplier relationship management plans that include performance tracking and reporting.
Assisting all outlets and branches of Kanoo Travel in increasing Holiday sales.
Creating destination brochures, flyers, seasonal promotions, others.
Increasing overall retentions and introduction of new products.
Online training and briefs on new destinations, work modules and market information.
Pitch for incentive groups and special tours for corporate companies including cold calls and presentations wherever required.
Ensuring top service levels and regular follow up with clients
Representing Kanoo Travel on global platforms, exhibition, conferences, events, others
2011 - Present Manager- Leisure Operations, Kanoo Holidays,
• Work closely with other managers in Travel Services to design, implement, and maintain agency enhancements that ensure complete integration with those services (i.e. online booking tool, hotel and car rental programs)
• Participate in activities to assess and select appropriate tools aimed at improving operational process efficiencies as well as capturing data that will lead to improved ability to identify and target strategic operational initiatives.
• Finalizing the budgets, quarterly targets and staff incentives for the department
• Contracting with major suppliers around the globe in all major destinations like Europe, USA and Far East etc negotiating on the best rates and booking procedures.
• Communicate across the organization with respect to implementation of new service programs as well as changes to existing programs.
• Interact as required with leadership, staff, and client-service professionals to manage risks associated with ensuring the effective implementation of new operational processes.
• Lead role in strategic sourcing data analysis, the competitive bidding process \[RFI, RFP\], evaluating competing suppliers and supply markets, developing appropriate procurement strategy for various travel suppliers, negotiating contracts, assisting in the development of implementation and communication plans.
• Interact with client service partners when clients are either current suppliers or being considered as potential suppliers to the organization.
• Lead the development of supplier relationship management plans that include performance tracking and reporting.
• Assisting all outlets and branches of Kanoo Travel in increasing Holiday sales.
• Creating destination brochures, flyers, seasonal promotions, others.
• Increasing overall retentions and introduction of new products.
• Online training and briefs on new destinations, work modules and market information.
• Pitch for incentive groups and special tours for corporate companies including cold calls and presentations wherever required.
• Ensuring top service levels and regular follow up with clients
• Representing Kanoo Travel on global platforms, exhibition, conferences, events, others
2009 - 2011 Manager Sharjah and Northern Emirates, Kanoo American Express Travel
2007 - 2009 Branch Manager Sharjah, Kanoo American Express Travel
• Manage the day-to-day relationship with the key stakeholders, staffing, service levels, technology, and issue resolution.
• Planned, organized and pursued new initiatives to increase Kanoo Travel northern emirates business through the various distribution channels.
• Identified emerging trends in the Travel business in order to develop and execute plans to adopt to new technology to respond to client needs.
• Managed the annual budget and increased profitability for the Branch and the territory.
• Evaluated and made recommendations on future expansion and increased the level of participation with preferred partners.
• Focused on strategic account management with key clients and industry suppliers.
• Assisted the sales department with establishing key regional, corporate business opportunities in order to improve revenue and sales
• Enhanced existing programs and created new automated promotions.
• Conducted various sale promotion and programs for new business.
2003 - 2007 Branch Supervisor - Deira City Center, Kanoo American Express Travel
• Assisted Branch Manager & Management to supervise and increase branch business.
• Prospected, built relationships and sold tickets to the retail and other businesses in the business premise (Deira City center mall)
• Performed warm and cold calling to prospective customers based on leads from web sites, events and mailings.
• Contacted, scheduled, and conducted phone and in-person presentations with prospective customers.
• Promoted and evangelized the Kanoo Travel's experience to prospective and current clients.
• Prepared analysis and reports for improving business and P&L
• Develop plans and trainings for improved business performance.
1997 - 2003 Team Leader, Kanoo American Express Travel
• Supervised team of 5, ensuring increasing service and quality standards.
• Prepared itinerary proposals, quotes, and reservations.
• Communicated with customers to ensure consistency between products offered in relation to client expectations.
• Processed reservations and monitored confirmations for all group files as assigned by Travel Manager.
• Prepared team reports and documents and ensured that they were clear, concise, and accurate.
EARLY CAREER:
1995 - 1997 Manager - Radiant Travels & Tours, Mumbai- India
1994 - 1995 Supervisor - Madhu Travels - Mumbai- India
1992 - 1994 Sales Agent - Saad Travel & Tourism Co. Alkhobar- Saudi Arabia,
IATA Standard Course. Certificate in Marketing Management, K C College of Management Studies. Prime minister of Ireland, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD honored Hemant Baheti, leisure manager at Kanoo Travel, as UAE’s first qualified ‘Ireland Specialist’.
• Bachelor of Commerce, Bombay University.
• Certificate in Marketing Management, K C College of Management Studies.