Assistant Manager

African Family Safaris & Tours (AFS) is a new tour operator dedicated to family travel in Africa, making it easy and memorable. We specialize in family safaris and promote sustainable, eco-friendly, and responsible vacations. Our goal is to uplift local communities and ensure wildlife knowledge is passed down to future generations.

This safari brand is part of the City Sightseeing group, known for its Hop-on Hop-off bus tours in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Responsibilities

This role is for African Family Safaris, and you will assist the marketing team at City Sightseeing South Africa.

Start up:

1. Set up the product range
2. Contracting for families and luxury safari stays to ensure the best possible rates
3. Set up social platforms with the digital social media coordinator
4. Update the website
5. Add packages to Safaribookings.com
6. Set up itinerary customizable builder software (e.g., Safariportal, WETU, SafariOffice)
7. Set up itineraries suitable for 4- and 5-star family travel
8. Send out press releases for the startup
9. Create guides
10. Check for real-time availability systems
11. Check for other domains

Day-to-day responsibilities:

1. Manage product in line with the Manager, including supplier meetings
2. Online product management
3. Contracting
4. Offers: Honeymoon, Special, Combo deals
5. Oversee familiarization trips
6. Operations
7. Build itineraries
8. Keep websites and online portals updated
9. Assist in preparing reports
10. Support by providing sales data, market trends, forecasts, and supplier account analyses
11. Design monthly newsletters
12. Assist with API links
13. Oversee database
14. Train on new systems
15. Maintain supplier figures/stats and website stats
16. Ensure effective operation of all systems and related applications
17. Collaborate with network staff for smooth operation of software and systems
18. Work with decision makers to define business requirements and resolve systems issues

Role Requirements:

1. High service levels and performance culture
2. Extreme accuracy
3. Tech-savvy
4. Ability to work in a team
5. Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize
6. Flexible and adaptive to change
7. Self-starter and self-motivated
8. Interest in product, contracting, operations, reservations, and customer service
9. Ability to establish relationships within the group
10. Good written and oral communication skills
11. Discretion and awareness of confidentiality
12. Ability to work under pressure
13. Understanding of product requirements and knowledge of African destinations
14. Keeping up to date with tourism product trends
15. Results-oriented with a passion for customer service and travel
16. Good understanding of contracts and terminology
17. Innovation and creativity
18. Database management and attention to detail
19. Must have Southern and East Africa product knowledge
20. Experience in setting up a tour operator or DMC