French-speaking Travel Specialist
Description
Connecting international travellers with bespoke Southern African journeys, this role focuses on designing tailor-made travel itineraries for an exclusively French-speaking clientele. The position translates client expectations, budgetary parameters, and multi-country logistics into seamless travel experiences across Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
Operating on a full-time basis, the position oversees end-to-end itinerary design, client file management, supplier liaison, and destination quality assurance. The role is based at either the Sandton (Johannesburg) office or the V&A Waterfront (Cape Town) office, with immediate commencement.
Key Responsibilities
Consult with clients to understand travel preferences and deliver specialist advice on custom, bespoke itineraries across Southern Africa.
Design tailor-made travel programmes aligned with traveller expectations, budgets, and operational logistics, with primary focus on Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
Manage the complete booking and administrative cycle, including itinerary proposals, quotations, client contracts, invoicing, payment tracking, and resolution of client queries.
Monitor active itineraries on the ground to ensure smooth operations and high-touch customer care.
Establish and cultivate professional working relationships with accommodation establishments, transfer operators, and regional tourism partners.
Undertake site and lodge inspections to assess operational standards, quality, and routing viability.
Represent the organisation at travel trade shows and professional tourism events.
Track regional travel trends, new lodge openings, and hospitality products to ensure expert destination knowledge.
Assist with content contribution for company social media channels.
Requirements
Native-level French language proficiency (written and spoken) alongside fluent English communication skills.
Proven track record as a travel consultant or bespoke travel designer.
Demonstrated expertise in designing and selling travel itineraries for Namibia and Botswana.
In-depth destination knowledge of Southern Africa, covering routes, accommodation, lodges, excursions, and logistical constraints.
Strong commercial acumen and confidence working with pricing, costing, and financial figures.
Excellent organisational skills, rigorous file tracking, and prioritisation capabilities.
Demonstrated problem-solving ability, adaptability, and resilience under operational pressure.
Desirable Requirements
Prior experience managing European and French-speaking client markets.
Practical design experience using Canva.
Required Software Skills
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office Suite