We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Senior Business Development Manager to lead the development and growth of the GCC and wider Middle East market.
The ideal candidate will have a strong network across GCC/ME source markets, with established relationships across luxury Concierge agents, travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel specialists, retail travel groups, and relevant corporate/government affluent travel segments.
This is a senior commercial role requiring an individual who can develop strategic market plans, generate measurable business, and convert strong industry relationships into tangible revenue.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute the annual GCC & Middle East business development strategy in line with commercial objectives.
- Drive new business acquisition while strengthening relationships with existing key accounts.
- Build and maintain a strong network of travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel advisors, wholesalers, and strategic partners.
- Identify and develop new revenue opportunities within established and emerging GCC source markets.
- Establish strong relationships with key decisionmakers, owners and senior management within major travel companies and strategic corporate accounts.
- Develop joint business opportunities, tactical campaigns, promotions, preferred partnerships, and sales initiatives with key trade partners.
- Manage and grow production from existing accounts, with clear targets for room nights, revenue, bookings, and market share where applicable.
- Conduct regular sales visits, presentations, trade events, workshops, webinars, and roadshows across the region.
- Represent the company and its portfolio at major regional and international travel trade exhibitions and industry events.
- Work closely with hotel sales, marketing, revenue management, and operations teams to ensure commercial opportunities are converted effectively.
- Monitor competitor activity, market trends, consumer demand, and distribution developments.
- Provide regular market intelligence, pipeline updates, account performance reports, and actionable recommendations to senior management.
- Develop a structured pipeline of new accounts and opportunities and ensure consistent follow-up and conversion.
- Support the development of annual budgets, sales targets, and account plans.
- Ensure commercial activities deliver measurable ROI and revenue contribution.
Candidate Profile:
- * 5+ years of relevant experience in hotel sales development.
- Proven experience specifically within the GCC/Middle East leisure market.
- An established and demonstrable network of relationships within GCC/ME with major travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel partners and Corporate/Government segment.
- Proven track record of business generation and revenue growth, rather than purely account servicing.
- Strong understanding of the leisure travel landscape.
- Experience selling luxury Hotels.
- Strong negotiation, commercial and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to identify opportunities, develop a sales strategy and personally drive the conversion process.
- Excellent presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong understanding of distribution channels.
- Ability to work at a senior level with key decisionmakers and develop long-term strategic partnerships.
- Strong commercial acumen, analytical ability and understanding of sales performance metrics.
