Job Summary
The Leisure Sales Manager is responsible for driving room revenue and market share within the leisure travel segment. This includes managing relationships with Wholesale Tour Operators, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Retail Travel Agents, Consortia (e.g., Virtuoso, Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts), and Tourism Boards. The ideal candidate will develop and implement strategic sales plans to maximize occupancy and revenue, particularly during off-peak periods.
Key Responsibilities
- Account Management & Development: Maintain and grow relationships with existing leisure accounts while aggressively prospecting new business opportunities globally and regionally.
- Contracting & Negotiation: Negotiate annual wholesale and FIT (Free Independent Traveler) contracts, ensuring competitive pricing that aligns with the hotel’s revenue management strategies.
- Market Intelligence: Monitor competitor strategies, market trends, and leisure travel patterns to identify new niches and adjust sales tactics accordingly.
- Trade Shows & Sales Missions: Represent the hotel at major international and domestic travel trade shows (e.g., ITB, WTM, ILTM) and conduct targeted sales missions.
- Collaboration: Work closely with the Revenue Management and Marketing teams to create enticing leisure packages, promotions, and tactical campaigns.
- Site Inspections & Familiarization (FAM) Trips: Organize and host FAM trips for travel agents, wholesalers, and media to showcase the property’s unique selling points.
- Reporting: Track production of all leisure accounts, analyze ROI on marketing actions, and provide regular forecast reports to the Director of Sales & Marketing.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Experience in Qatar Market is a must
Experience: 3–5 years of experience in hotel sales, with a proven track record specifically within the leisure segment.
- Network: An established, active network of contacts among luxury travel advisors, consortia, and international tour operators.
- Tech Savvy: Proficiency with Property Management Systems (PMS) like Opera, Central Reservation Systems (CRS), and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Delphi).
- Communication: Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Multi-lingual capabilities are a major plus depending on the target market.
- Flexibility: Willingness to travel extensively for client meetings, trade shows, and industry events.