Meriyem BENKHATI
Ottawa
Summary
Accomplished and goal-oriented Project Manager with a strong background in the travel industry, focusing on the creation of custom luxury and experiential travel packages. Proficient in business development, strategic partnerships, and high-level account management, with a proven track record of driving sales growth and enhancing client experiences. Combines inventive product development with digital marketing expertise to deliver effective, distinctive, and memorable offerings. Known for building meaningful professional relationships, negotiating contracts with impact, and fostering collaborative, high-performing teams.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sales & Special Interest Groups Specialist
World Expeditions Travel Group
11.2024 - Current
- Building and maintaining relationships with clients across North America, providing expert guidance on World Expeditions' destinations.
- Driving sales by promoting and selling trips, focusing on adventure and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
- Researching and connecting with key figures in Canada and the USA to establish private departures and expand market reach.
- Planning and managing personalized travel itineraries to ensure unforgettable experiences for clients.
- Work closely with internal teams to coordinate logistics and ensure seamless execution of travel arrangements
Project Manager
Overseas Network
02.2023 - Current
- Manage and create unique travel packages for clients ( B2B and B2C)
- Plan different experiences and activities for clients.
- Conduct in-depth consultations with clients to understand their preferences, interests, and specific travel requirements.
- Attend industry events and stay connected with the latest offerings in the luxury travel sector.
- Contribute in product development by researching new ideas and experiences, and collaborating with different travel experts.
- Promote the growth of international destinations in collaboration with different suppliers: hotels, transportation providers, guides, and government officials.
- Develop detailed event proposals, including timelines, budgets, and logistics.
- Utilize connections and relationships within the travel industry to secure VIP access, upgrades, and exclusive perks for clients.
- Create and manage event budgets, ensuring all expenses are tracked and stay within the allocated budget.
- Assist in preparing and tracking partner agreements, supplier contracts, and project reports.
Senior Project Manager
Nuitée
06.2019 - 01.2023
- Successfully managing the sales department with a turnover of (6 Million USD in 2022).
- Designing creative packages, products, and itineraries for demanding clients.
- Proactively engaging with customers and stakeholders to understand their challenges and aspirations.
- Creating bespoke and luxury travel packages for different clients, with a focus on destination management of Morocco.
- Managing the planning and execution of projects and events, including timelines, budget management, contracts, logistics, and HR.
- Supervising sales targets and margins, and reporting to top management.
- Closing deals and the acquisition of new customers.
- Contracting and negotiation with various travel industry partners.
- Managing the content strategy of the website and Google ranking.
- Collaborating with the IT development team to prioritize and organize workflow related to travel product design, ensuring alignment with client needs and market demands.
Market Manager
Prestigia
01.2019 - 06.2019
- Managing markets: evaluating local market characteristics, trends, and drivers, and effectively prioritizing and managing the performance of a portfolio of accounts to business value.
- Identifying and articulating partner needs.
- Optimizing revenue in different markets by dealing with more than 400 hotel partners in a competitive environment.
- Analyzing data, ROI, conversion rate, margin.
- Negotiating promotions and added values, making Prestigia the most competitive OTA.
- Providing revenue management advice to hotel partners and marketing opportunities to improve productivity and sales.
Senior Sales Consultant
Intrepid Travel
04.2016 - 12.2018
- Quoting, creating, and selling travel packages through multiple channels.
- Providing high-quality reporting and analysis to top management.
- Working closely with the supply, marketing, and operations team on a daily basis.
- Providing efficient responses to all clients' queries in a timely fashion.
- Managing projects alongside the reservations, contracting, and financial teams.
- Networking with tour operators and attending international travel trade fairs and events.
- Maintaining a great relationship with all partners, including hotels and activity providers.
- Introducing creative products and ideas to the team and helping execute them perfectly.
- Keeping track of all sales performances and sales team KPIs.
- Creating and analyzing clients' databases.
- Working with Salesforce and Data Studio on a daily basis.
Education
Masters in Marketing And Business Communication -
National School of Business Management, El Jadida
12-2017
Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management -
Higher International Institue Of Tourism, Tangier
07.2012
Skills
- Project Management
- Microsoft Office
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Vendor Sourcing
- Schedule Management
- Client Relations
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Sales management
- Partnership Development
- Corporate Travel
- Event planning knowledge
- Expert problem solving
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Native/ Bilingual
Arabic
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
- WES certification Ref#:5110796IMM
Hobbies and Interests
- Travel
- Cinema
- Food adventures
- Volunteering
Timeline
Sales & Special Interest Groups Specialist
World Expeditions Travel Group
11.2024 - Current
Project Manager
Overseas Network
02.2023 - Current
Senior Project Manager
Nuitée
06.2019 - 01.2023
Market Manager
Prestigia
01.2019 - 06.2019
Senior Sales Consultant
Intrepid Travel
04.2016 - 12.2018
Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management -
Higher International Institue Of Tourism, Tangier
Masters in Marketing And Business Communication -
National School of Business Management, El Jadida
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