Country Manager - Tourism Services - #2162271

VFS Global is the world's largest and most experienced Outsourcing & Technology Service Specialists for Diplomatic Missions and Governments Worldwide. We are currently seeking a dynamic and commercially driven professional to support a portfolio of international destination development initiatives in a position of a Country Manager in our Tourism Department. The role will focus on promoting global destinations through strategic partnerships, market outreach, and integrated campaigns across tourism and leisure.

VFS Global aims its employees to feel able to be themselves at work and to have an equal opportunity to progress their career, without any prejudices. We want to instill a culture where we respect and embrace everyone’s beliefs and backgrounds and we work for our employees to feel high valued so they can express their full potential and abilities. Diversity & Inclusion is VFS DNA.

Purpose of the Role

• Tourism strategy planning and implementation from Events, Trade & LEISURE perspective, Market Intelligence and management of relations with Trade (LEISURE), media, OTA’s and other stakeholders.
• Work towards the plan to achieve the defined yearly targets and objectives set for the Tourism Board clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of market strategies to promote international tourism destinations.
• Drive awareness and demand for destination
• Identify opportunities in destinations
• Assist in planning and delivering marketing campaigns, roadshows, and promotional events
• Build and maintain relationships with trade partners in the travel industry.
• Prepare the annual Plan (proposed way forward) in alignment to Tourism Boards Strategy with dedicated focus on Trade
• Ensure achievement of monthly / quarterly / annual targets and objectives defined for the Tourism Board
• Analyse business needs to identify new opportunities over and above the present core businesses.
• Oversee the execution of the tourism board’s strategy across all channels and managing the team to ensure successful execution in timely and effective manner.
• Strategize with regards to alliances/partners to increase the brand awareness for the Tourism Board within the Trade & media space.
• Identify alliances/partners keeping in mind the opportunities at hand.

In addition to the above the Team Member will also be responsible for the below:

• Manage and oversee daily departmental operations (trade engagement, invoices, co-ops, events, reports, etc.)
• Actively meet OTA’s, LEISURE agents, other collaborators and clients interested in big Events and movements.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in creating commercial and marketing strategies.
• Cross Selling and Market Penetration
• Track, measure and analyze the performance of commercial activities and KPIs and make sure the budget spend is delivering a return on investment.
• Complete coordination with all departments with the HQ, discuss strategies, budgets, growth chart, connect with Tourism Boards on LEISURE and Corporate movements, incentive programs and monitoring and motivating agents to achieve given targets and deliverables.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Experience in tourism, hospitality, and destination marketing.
• Strong understanding of the UK outbound travel and/or international property market
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Commercial mindset with the ability to drive cross-sector opportunities
• Flexibility to work across tourism promotion verticals and engaging external stakeholders

Education: Minimum: Graduate / Postgraduate or Global equivalent

Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience Experience within the tourism industry, good presentation skills. Very well connected with the Trade and LEISURE industry, government agencies, tourism boards, industry associations, and other key stakeholders in UK.

Why Join Us:

• Opportunity to work on global destination promotion and property initiatives
• Exposure to international markets and cross-sector collaborations
• Dynamic, growth-oriented environment with diverse portfolios