Asma Mahomed
Johannesburg
Summary
Highly motivated professional with several years of entrepreneurial and management experience. Skillfully creates and maintains professional and loyal relationships with co-workers, staff and clients while managing administrative and sales employees. Comfortable working independently as manager and leader and as collaborative team member. Applies business acumen and experience and exercises decisive judgment to meet and exceed organizational goals.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
Work History
Business Owner
travelshopdot.com
Johannesburg
01.2019 - Current
- The business started out as a hobby and then become a skill / operated as part of my Office Manager position
- An in-house travel agent cuts out the need for a travel management company and can cut a company's spend drastically
- Travel arrangements are completed on site and are finalised seamlessly in a few hours, an excellent skill to add to any CV
- The hobby grew into a fully-fledged earner and I decided to take the risk and invest in myself
- The risk paid off and I have been able to plan trips for a niche market and grow my client base solely by word of mouth
- Unfortunately, the business was brought to a grinding halt due to a cyber attack and is still under investigation
- Exceptional time planning, intense research, the desire to succeed and deliver a product that exceeds the customers' expectation
- Developed the ability to take calculated risks, deal with demanding clients who rarely take no for an answer, plan a trip with little to no concrete information, be available 24/7 and deal with last minute bookings in a matter of minutes
- Trained myself to be calm, methodical, respectful, organised and multi-task effortlessly with great accuracy
Travel Centre Manager
Shoprite
Johannesburg
07.2023 - 03.2025
- Develop, and implement the Travel Centre business plan and align deliverables against the budget, and performance measures
- Ensure all the Centre processes are properly managed and ensure continuous improvement across the business
- Publicise the centre's services and implement marketing strategies to raise the profile of the services, increase sales, and generate more income
- Control and monitor the centre's budget to make sure targets are met most cost-effectively
- Gather information on, and work with, airlines, bus companies, and accommodation establishments to grow the business
- Ensure that staff are kept informed of changes in airlines and bus companies, policies, destinations, and operations
- Prepare reports for senior management and attend management meetings providing input on the efficient running of the business
- Source products and services to meet consumer demands for customised travel and sustainable services
- Manage key accounts with customers who make use of the service offering
- Ensure that staff and other stakeholders are properly organised and equipped to answer all customer enquiries and needs
- Drive continuous improvement by partnering and liaising with travel partners, including airlines and bus companies, to manage bookings and schedules, in advance
- Deal with customer inquiries and aim to meet their expectations by implementing alternative and innovative ideas for achieving new business
- Establish a relationship and network with the business leaders in stores through understanding of the traveling industry and best practice sharing
- Ensure the travel centre compliance with organisational and legislative governance frameworks and standards
Office Manager
With Secure
Johannesburg
11.2017 - 11.2022
- Assisted the administration team with any required duties
- Brought forth the ability to effectively multitask and prioritise
- Handled correspondence, filing systems, and calendar plans
- Served as a dedicated Office Manager in a fast-paced office
- Created invoices as well as billing to submit to clients
- Dealt with general Ad-hoc office duties
- Answered and screened incoming calls
- Led finance duties including payments
- Brought forth a strong attention to detail and precision
- Answered questions and concerns relating to travel and airport procedures
- Coordinated travel plans from start to finish including flights, transfers, accommodation, visas & vaccinations are in order as well as issuing of tickets in house
- Effectively supported various company initiatives with a range of timelines, currently including Server room standards and Go Green projects for offices globally
- Responded to problems with excellent troubleshooting abilities
- Functioned collaboratively with various partners
- Organised and prioritised work to complete assignments in a timely, efficient manner
- Allocation of building maintenance work to contractors to ensure that the building and facilities are conducive for all staff and students
- Assisting with operational requirements of the office
- Liaising with procurement regarding quotations approval for building maintenance work
- Completion and support of current and new projects including office planning, renovations and moving
- OHS compliance
- Security including access control, CCTV and maintenance contracts in place
- Server room - maintenance of aircons, access control as well as ensuring basic ISO requirements are met
- Completion of maintenance reports and monitoring of suppliers
- Company vehicle maintenance and license registration
- Ensure compliance of OHS regulations are met and currently appointed as OHS compliance officer
- Ensuring all supplier compliance is adhered to, including record of SLA contracts, BEE certification and NQF are in order
- Onboarding of new staff
- Managing cleaning team and office assistant as well as ensuring progress on staff is monitored through 1 on 1s and regular training is attended
- Excellent time keeping and planning, Attention to details, ability to multitask a variety of tasks, able to manage Facilities, Office duties, Travel requests etc in a timely manner, able to capture expenses, load payments, able to work quickly and precisely and ensure the smooth running of a busy office
Travel Agent
Tourvest Travel
Johannesburg
06.2013 - 10.2015
- Dealing with all aspects of retail travel including packages, cruising, visas, international bookings as well as regional and domestic
- Liaising with Operators, Airlines, Visa couriers and Travel Insurance reps regularly
- Working within strict deadlines in a commission, target driven environment
- Able to work under pressure, Attention to detail, Excellent GDS use Amadeus and Galileo, Excellent time keeping and planning
Cabin Attendant
Qatar Airways
Doha
10.2007 - 12.2012
- Trained in general first aid and safety procedures for the Airbus and Boeing range of aircraft
- Handling a variety of problems from demanding passengers from all walks of life
- This begins from embarkation, the full phase of the flight right until dis-embarkation
- Primary focus is on total customer satisfaction which is directly in line with Qatar Airways' five-star standards
- Precise, meticulous time management, impeccable accuracy, Excellent multi-tasking, quick reflexes and ability to think on one's feet, 100% Customer focus, Outstanding excellence in the delivery of premium products, Attentive, Able to work alone or as part of a diverse team, able to work with little supervision, able to carry out safety protocols and evacuate an aircraft in 2 minutes, able to carry out basic First Aid procedures including Shock, heart attack, Asthma, Hypoxia, Assist in childbirth, choking, fractures, burns and various other incidents
Travel Agent
Flight Centre
Johannesburg
06.2012 - 12.2012
- Prepared customized itineraries based on customer needs and preferences.
- Analyzed customer feedback to improve service offerings and client satisfaction.
- Communicated security issues and protocols to clients traveling to unstable countries or locations.
- Maintained relationships with travel partners and vendors.
- Conversed with customers to determine destination, mode of transportation and accommodations.
Travel Agent
Tourvest Travel
Johannesburg
07.2005 - 08.2005
- Handled travel arrangements for groups, couples, executives, and special needs clients.
- Handled customer complaints in a professional manner to ensure satisfaction with the service provided.
- Communicated security issues and protocols to clients traveling to unstable countries or locations.
Travel Agent
Rennies Travel
Harare
01.2002 - 05.2003
- Handled travel arrangements for groups, couples, executives, and special needs clients.
- Handled customer complaints in a professional manner to ensure satisfaction with the service provided.
- Managed travel documentation, ensuring all necessary passports and visas were obtained in a timely manner.
Supervisor
STA Travel
London
06.1999 - 06.2001
- Supervising and training a small team of seven including recruiting, disciplinary and motivational aspects
- Reconciliation and balancing of all carrier accounts and reporting to Group Head office
- Liaising with department management and branches nationwide to resolve problems
- Analysing and responding to Airline Billing discrepancies
- Ongoing analysis of the in-house costing system with recommendations for improvement
- Monthly line reporting to supervisor reviewing the current status of the sales ledger, intercompany accounts and any improvements that could be made
Travel Agent
Carefree Travel
Harare
09.1997 - 03.1999
- Collected payment for transportation and accommodations from customers.
- Stayed up to date on travel industry, policies and restrictions.
- Developed personalized travel itineraries based on clients' preferences and budget.
- Responded immediately to clients' questions, issues, and complaints, and found effective solutions when required.
- Processed payments from clients via cash or credit cards.
Education
GCSE O Levels - English, English Literature, Science, Biology, Accounts
Girls High School
Harare, Zimbabwe11-1995
Skills
- Time Management
- Decision Making
- Adaptability
- Fast Learner
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Effective Time Management
- Communication Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Administrative Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Ability to Multitask
- Computer Skills
- Ability to Work in a Team
- QuickBooks
- Office 365
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- G-Suite
- One Drive
- Amadeus, Galileo and Sabre GDS Booking Tools
- Travefy Itinerary Builder
- Workday HR Software
- QuickBooks and QuickTrav Accounting Software
Certification
- Amadeus, Galileo Sabre GDS
- Premium Service Excellence, Qatar Airways
- Aviation Dangerous Goods, Qatar Airways
- Responsible Service of Alcohol, Qatar Airways
- Air Restraint, Qatar Airways
- Aviation Security, Qatar Airways
- Aviation Practical Evacuation, Emirates Aviation
- Safety Procedures, Qatar Airways
- First Aid Introduction, Cargo Learning
- Ticketing Functionality, Amadeus
- Ticketing Functionality, Galileo
- Elementary Layers in Ticketing, Air Zimbabwe
- IATA/UFTAA Travel Diploma, Speciss College
Extracurricular Activities
Go Green Initiative, with Secure, Johannesburg, South Africa, 01/01/22, 04/30/22, Actively contributed to a global Go green initiative which was sent out to offices worldwide.
Hobbies and Interests
- Gardening
- Reading
- Traveling
- Kumihimo beading
- Meditation
- Currently Learning French
Languages
- English
- French
Affiliations
- Travel
- Volunteer at SPCA
- Kumihimo beading
- Yoga & Meditation
- Learning Basic Coding
Languages
English
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Beginner
A1
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Travel Centre Manager
Shoprite
07.2023 - 03.2025
Business Owner
travelshopdot.com
01.2019 - Current
Office Manager
With Secure
11.2017 - 11.2022
Travel Agent
Tourvest Travel
06.2013 - 10.2015
Travel Agent
Flight Centre
06.2012 - 12.2012
Cabin Attendant
Qatar Airways
10.2007 - 12.2012
Travel Agent
Tourvest Travel
07.2005 - 08.2005
Travel Agent
Rennies Travel
01.2002 - 05.2003
Supervisor
STA Travel
06.1999 - 06.2001
Travel Agent
Carefree Travel
09.1997 - 03.1999
GCSE O Levels - English, English Literature, Science, Biology, Accounts
Girls High School
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