Destination Manager (Saudi Arabia)
Full time @Desert Adventures Tourism (A Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Company) posted 4 weeks ago in Tourism , in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Shortlist Email JobJob Detail
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Job ID 22923
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Career Level Others
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Experience 4 Years
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Industry Travel, Tourism & Hospitality > Tourism
Job Description
The Destination Manager is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the development, planning, and delivery of travel experiences and logistics within a specific destination. Working closely with local suppliers, tour guides, and internal teams, the Destination Supervisor ensures high-quality service standards, innovation in destination offerings, and smooth operations for clients ranging from leisure travellers to corporate groups and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) clients.
Responsibilities
Destination Oversight & Strategy
• Design and implement a destination-specific strategy that aligns with the company’s global vision and commercial goals.
• Continuously evaluate market trends, competitor offerings, and client feedback to develop innovative, experience-rich travel products.
• Identify and capitalise on destination-specific opportunities to drive revenue growth, enhance margins, and improve guest satisfaction.
• Identify market trends and client preferences to design innovative and competitive packages.
• Ensure the destination portfolio aligns with the company’s strategic goals and brand positioning.
Supplier & Partner Management
• Build, manage, and optimize a high-performing network of local suppliers, including hotels, venues, guides, transportation providers, and activity operators.
• Negotiate rates of services providers, ensuring cost efficiency, favourable terms, and service quality standards are met.
• Ensure all partners comply with health, safety, legal, and environmental regulations.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with service-level agreements.
Operational Execution
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of programs, from itinerary planning to on-ground execution, ensuring smooth, high-quality experiences.
• Coordinate and oversee all logistics for tours, events, and ground handling services.
• Implement operational systems, checklists, and contingency plans to ensure consistency, reliability, and responsiveness.
• Monitor daily operations, handle service issues, and proactively resolve incidents or emergencies in real time.
• Respond to on-the-ground issues promptly and effectively.
Team Leadership
• Recruit, train, and manage local teams, guides, and freelance staff to uphold company standards and guest expectations, and deliver consistent, high-quality service.
• Develop a performance culture through regular feedback, coaching, and structured evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative, motivated, and guest-focused team environment.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and customer satisfaction.
Quality Control & Reporting
• Implement and maintain quality assurance procedures to ensure seamless customer journeys.
• Conduct regular audits, field visits, and mystery checks to assess service delivery.
• Monitor client satisfaction metrics (e.g., in-resort feedback and post-trip reviews) and implement improvements based on insights.
• Prepare reports on destination performance, client satisfaction, and incident resolution.
Sustainability & Compliance
• Ensure all destination activities comply with legal, safety, insurance, and ethical tourism standards.
• Promote sustainability initiatives within the destination, supporting responsible tourism practices.
• Maintain a robust risk assessment and mitigation framework for all operations.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
• Serve as the key representative of the company within the destination, maintaining strong relationships with local tourism boards, government entities, and community stakeholders.
• Attend trade shows, familiarization trips, and industry events to promote the destination and the company’s brand.
• Collaborate with global sales, marketing, and product teams to support destination promotion and sales enablement.
Ideal Candidate
• Saudi national preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree – preference in Tourism Management, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality > Hospitality, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in destination management, tour operations, MICE or travel product development.
• In-depth knowledge of the region’s tourism assets, logistics, and local culture.
• Proven experience in supplier negotiation, operational logistics, and team coordination.
• Fluent in Arabic and English (additional languages are a plus).
• High degree of discretion, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure, especially in time-sensitive situations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail., LinkedIn, Desert Adventures Tourism (A Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Company)
Required skills
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