Tamaryn Gilmore
Cape Town,WC
Summary
Courteous, target-driven professional with exceptional organisational and customer-relations skills. Proven record of meeting goals through proactive prospecting, consultative selling, and cross-functional collaboration. Excellent multitasker who thrives independently and in teams, with creative problem-solving and data-informed decision-making. Seeking to drive new business growth as New Business Sales Manager at New Frontiers Tours.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Inbound Reservations Consultant
New Frontiers Tours
Remote
03.2024 - Current
- Managed agent enquiries and provided tailored travel solutions to enhance client satisfaction.
- Influenced critical decisions by offering well-reasoned insights on choices and drove informed decision-making through comprehensive elaboration of recommendations. Championed effective suggestions by providing thorough justifications and context.
- Coordinated travel arrangements by utilising booking systems such as Tourplan, Oasis and Trip Clip for seamless reservations processing.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with stakeholder's, ensuring repeat business through personalised service.
- Managed high-volumes of enquiry while maintaining professionalism under pressure during peak periods of demand.
- Trained junior staff on reservation procedures and software systems to improve overall team efficiency.
- Mentored new consultants on industry standards and company policies, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Provided exceptional customer service at every interaction point, resulting in positive reviews from clients and a strong reputation within the industry.
- Resolved any discrepancies or issues in reservations quickly and effectively to maintain guest satisfaction levels.
- Contributed to the overall success of the company by consistently meeting or exceeding performance targets and goals in a highly competitive market.
Senior Travel coordinator
Games Global
Umhlanga
08.2022 - 02.2024
- Coordinated all facets of business travel logistics to ensure seamless travel experiences, including flight arrangements, lodging, and transportation services along with optimising expenses while adhering to corporate travel guidelines.
- Managed vendor relationships to secure competitive rates for travel services, enhancing cost-effectiveness.
- Developed and implemented travel policies to improve compliance and streamline booking processes.
- Directed booking operations for flights and hotels, ensuring smooth reservation management. Managed comprehensive travel logistics, including flight and hotel reservations, to enhance operational efficiency.
- Provide assistance to employees during travel, including managing itinerary changes, cancellations, or emergencies.
- Generate reports and analyse travel data to identify trends, savings opportunities, and travel patterns.
- Delivered comprehensive findings and actionable recommendations to management for informed decision-making.
- Leveraged travel management software and tools to streamline booking processes and enhance tracking efficiency.
- Stay updated on industry trends and new technology to improve travel management.
- Coordinated complex travel itineraries for executives and staff, ensuring seamless logistics and accommodations.
- Resolved travel-related issues promptly, maintaining high satisfaction levels among employees and stakeholders.
- Maintained accurate records of all bookings, cancellations, alterations, and associated costs for efficient reporting purposes.
- Assisted staff with passport and visa applications.
Inbound Reservations Consultant
New Frontiers Tours
10.2018 - 07.2022
- Consult and advise New Frontiers wholesale tour operating clients on product and services in Southern Africa.
- Executed travel planning and booking processes within specified time frames to optimize operational efficiency.
- Make reservations for arrangements accurately for each allocated key account.
- Manage travel files accurately, adhering to reservation, invoice and cancellation conditions prescribed by
suppliers. Invoice clients timeously. - Coordinated preparation and distribution of travel vouchers and itineraries to ensure seamless travel experiences.
- Performed comprehensive checks on travel files, confirming all details were correct.
- Create and quote brochure packages.
- Provided expert advice to clients on ideal travel itineraries to enhance their travel experience.
- Provided feedback on options and clarified recommendations. Supported decision-making processes by elaborating on proposed ideas. Assisted in articulating suggestions with clear justifications.
- Engaged in continuous learning about new products and experiences to enhance service delivery.
- Analysed client preferences and market trends to create bespoke travel itineraries that meet individual needs.
Senior Travel Advisor
Thompson's Holidays
12.2015 - 10.2018
- Drove sales growth while ensuring adherence to gross profit percentage through strong agent relationships and exceptional customer service.
- Secure, cost and present product to the customer accurately, efficiently, timeously and with zero errors.
- Designed customised itineraries tailored to client preferences for holiday packages.
- Managed comprehensive portfolio encompassing USA, Europe, Middle East, and cruising sectors.
- Accuracy, Professionalism, Personalisation & exceptional service throughout quoting & booking process.
- Develop relationships with agents, by continuous communication with them and attending trade shows when
required. - Administer confirmed bookings in a logical manner, in accordance with company policy.
- Facilitated bookings with third-party suppliers to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Received Novice of the Year Award in 2016 for outstanding performance and dedication.
Corporate Inbound Consultant
SATC Travel Dimensions
06.2015 - 11.2015
- Evaluate, recommend, and organise travel plans for families and corporate business partner.
- Cultivated strong, enduring relationships through effective communication strategies.
- Strong knowledge of travel software and computer reservation systems.
- Capable of maintaining productivity in fast paced environment, juggling multiple projects simultaneously including marketing and focusing on company growth.
- Expertise in customer service sales with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Secure airline tickets, bus transportation, rental cars, boat cruises, private tour, and hotel accommodations.
- Work with hotel concierge services to ensure that customers get the most benefit from the hotel.
- Investigated and rectified discrepancies discovered within travel arrangements to maintain efficiency.
International Travel Expert
Flight Centre Pty Ltd.
05.2011 - 05.2015
- Researching travel options & presenting the best deals in terms of requirements.
- Ensure all bookings & reservations are processed accurately.
- Responding to all phone, e-mail, web and walk in enquiries promptly, courteously and in a friendly manner.
- Filing, photocopying and general administrative duties. Building strong relationships with clients.
- Ability to achieve branch, team sales and profitability objectives.
- Up selling relevant add-ons, like, insurance, excursions, currency etc.
- Monitoring bookings throughout the working day.
- Negotiating corporate and best rates with hotels.
- Advising on and organizing visas & passports.
- Booking rail, hotel, domestic and international air travel.
- Monitoring competitor activity to maintain the most competitive rates.
- Ensuring travel brochures & promotional literature are displayed prominently.
- Complying with all relevant laws and travel business legislation.
- Handling high numbers of incoming calls from direct customers and travel trade.
- Offering holidays to a wide variety of long-haul luxury destinations, including the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, Egypt & Africa, Far East, Europe, and United States.
Hostess Fine Dining & Cultural Guide
Disney Animal Kingdom® Lodge
10.2009 - 11.2010
- Supervised and co-ordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide fast and courteous service to patrons.
- Scheduled dining reservations and arranged parties or special services for diners.
- Before dinner service, preparatory work is required. Phone reservations are scheduled, and seating arrangements planned.
- Addressed and resolved guest situations to enhance overall customer satisfaction.
- Assisted in conducting server audits and completing cash ups. Supported team members in verifying server transactions and reconciling cash. Participated in daily cash handling and server audit processes.
- Delivered informative sessions to enhance guest understanding of conservation efforts.
- Assisted in conducting art tours and informational sessions about South African culture. Supported participants in exploring and understanding South African cultural heritage.
Manageress In Service
The Richards Hotel
01.2006 - 08.2009
- Co-ordination, delegation, and training of Service Staff.
- Trained within every functioning department of the hotel organization and gained much key skill and experience.
- Conference and Banqueting Duties.
- Guest Liaison and assistance.
- Front Office and Reservations.
- Accounts, Debtors, HR duties.
- Assisted customers, ensuring service delivery and satisfaction.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and organised workspace.
- Adapted quickly to new tools and technologies for improved service processes.
Education
Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management - Hospitality Management in Service
International Hotel School
Westville, South Africa08-2009
Johan Jurgens Higher Education
12-2005
Advanced Diploma in Business Management - Business
Management College of South Africa
Cape Town12-2025
Skills
- Highly dependable
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in travel logistics & resource allocation
- Comprehensive understanding in promoting travel services/ destinations
- Skilled in utilising travel booking software,GDS systems & System knowledge and proficiency
- Attention to detail while ensuring commitment to quality under pressure
- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedural systems: word processing, files & records management, transcription & drafting documents
- Comprehensive destination research
- Ability to negotiate & close deals
- VISA application & Customs assistance
- Enquiry management & Client needs assessment
- Comprehensive knowledge on Global travel regulations & capability to manage travel expenses
- Pro-active problem solving & Critical thinking
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that demands quick turnaround time
- Industry awareness
Personal Information
Timeline
Senior Inbound Reservations Consultant
New Frontiers Tours
03.2024 - Current
Senior Travel coordinator
Games Global
08.2022 - 02.2024
Inbound Reservations Consultant
New Frontiers Tours
10.2018 - 07.2022
Senior Travel Advisor
Thompson's Holidays
12.2015 - 10.2018
Corporate Inbound Consultant
SATC Travel Dimensions
06.2015 - 11.2015
International Travel Expert
Flight Centre Pty Ltd.
05.2011 - 05.2015
Hostess Fine Dining & Cultural Guide
Disney Animal Kingdom® Lodge
10.2009 - 11.2010
Manageress In Service
The Richards Hotel
01.2006 - 08.2009
Johan Jurgens Higher Education
Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management - Hospitality Management in Service
International Hotel School
Advanced Diploma in Business Management - Business
Management College of South Africa