Hotel Reservation Expert

ABOUT US

At Kuoni Tumlare, we create truly inspiring travel experiences that go beyond expectations. Proudly part of the JTB Corporation, we curate and deliver group travel, and meetings, incentives, congresses and events.

Job Summary:

As Hotel Reservation Expert, you ensure the successful booking/placing of groups in contracted and non-contracted hotels in your area of responsibility. You leverage your in-depth destination knowledge and strong supplier network to handle complex, exceptional cases. You should contribute to Hotel Reservation’s efficiency and help improving the overall service quality and profitability of the company while ensuring that all actions are in line with the company’s Procurement, Sales, and overall strategy.

Key Activities:

• Focus on/resolve complex cases where a good supplier relationship is required, such as: last-minute bookings, bookings without allotment, long-term bookings without valid contract, resolving of kick-outs and book-outs, avoiding of supplier cancellation charges, etc.

• Maximisation of profit both by negotiation at initial booking stage and by renegotiation to optimise profit closer to arrival.

• Booking space at contracted hotels & management of allotments. Finding alternative hotel options & rate negotiation at noncontracted hotels.

• Coordination for hotel addon services, rooming list etc.

• Sourcing hotel space for MICE groups, meeting space and gala venue at the hotel.

• Prebooking of hotel space for Series groups.

• Coordination between supplier and finance team in case of invoice disputes & prepayments.

• Regular coordination with hotel for room count changes, deadline handling and space reconfirmation.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to secure sufficient capacity at competitive terms in properties that are suitable to our customers throughout different demand cycles.

Other activities:

• Prompt communication within team about updates like closure, renovation, or new facilities at hotels.

• Support customer service team in event of major on-road issue like book outs.

• Building rapport with hotel GSO for access to multiple hotel options.

Internal Communication:

• Build and maintain good internal relationships with a broad range of internal stakeholders including Procurement, Accounting, Sales and Operations.

• Coordination with Finance team for prepayments and query resolutions.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong communication (Written & Spoken) skills in English (Any European language proficiency preferred but not mandatory).

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Data analysis in Excel and reporting in PowerPoint).

• Planning and proactive work approach.

• Hardworking and reliable.

• Self-motivated and a good teamwork player.

• Good negotiation skill.

• Analytical thinking, attention to detail and accuracy.

Experience and Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of experience.

• Good knowledge of destinations & hotels in Europe.

• Experience of handling hotel reservation or service reservations.