Job Title: Holidays Department Manager
Job Purpose
The Holidays Department Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, development, execution, and performance of the Holidays / Tour-Package division. This includes designing attractive holiday packages, negotiating with suppliers, leading the team that handles bookings, operations, and customer service, and ensuring outstanding guest satisfaction and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement the holiday packages strategy (domestic, outbound, inbound) aligned with company goals and market trends.
Identify new destination opportunities, market segments and product extensions (e.g., luxury holidays, family packages, niche-themes).
Lead the planning, costing, pricing and margin management of holiday products.
Negotiate contracts and build relationships with destination management companies (DMCs), hotels, resorts, airlines, ground-operators, tour guides, excursion providers etc.
Oversee the operations of the holidays department: bookings, itinerary creation, voucher issuance, transfers, excursions, guest support, complaints handling.
Collaborate with Sales & Marketing teams to design promotional campaigns, digital marketing, upsell offers and ensure strong package visibility and uptake.
Lead, train and develop the holidays team (product designers, coordinators, operations staff) to deliver high service standards and operational excellence.
Monitor KPIs: package sales, revenue, profit margins, customer satisfaction scores, repeat business rates, cost per booking.
Ensure compliance with travel industry regulations, visa processes, supplier contracts, service level agreements, and internal controls.
Analyze market trends, competitor offerings, guest feedback and adjust the product and operation strategy accordingly.
Handle budgeting, forecasting, cost-control activities for the department.
Report regularly to senior management on performance, risks and opportunities.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hospitality, Business Administration or a related field.
Minimum of 58 years of experience in the travel & tourism industry, with at least 2-3 years in a managerial or supervisory role in holidays/tour-packages.
Strong knowledge of travel destinations, holiday product design, global supply chain (hotels, tours, transport).
Proven experience in negotiating supplier contracts, costing & pricing holiday packages.
Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work cross-functionally.
Strong analytical mindset and proficiency with travel booking and operations systems.
Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment; flexible to travel and work irregular hours as needed.
Languages (English required, Arabic or another language an advantage) depending on your market.
Key Competencies
Strategic thinking and product-innovation mindset
Commercial acumen and cost-control orientation
Outstanding customer-service orientation
Negotiation and supplier-management skills
Team leadership and staff development
Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management skills
Adaptability and resilience
