AJ FERNANDO

**** *********** ****** **, **********, DC 20015

T- 202-***-****, E- adnd9l@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE:

Seeking a full-time or freelance position to utilize my extensive sales experience in the corporate travel industry with advanced proficiency of using GDS Worldspan, Sabre, Amadeus platforms and ComBtas Business Travel software.

EXPERIENCE:

2019- 2020 ABT Global Sunnyvale, CA

Corporate Travel Consultant

● Managed volume account Utilizing advanced knowledge of GDS using Worldspan, Amadeus, GTP and ComBitas software to execute travel arrangements.

● Managed group travel to provide air and hotel reservations 2014-2019 Talma Travel & Tours North Bethesda, MD

Senior Corporate Travel Consultant

● Utilized advanced knowledge of GDS using Worldspan, Sabre and Amadeus to execute travel arrangements.

● Successfully handled a portfolio of over 75 high profile customers from company VP to CEO level making air, hotel, car reservations and organized and booked conference arrangements with hotels for large corporations. 2000-2012 VOYAGEPLAN INC. New York, NY

Sales Manager

● Successfully built a travel agency specializing in Sri Lanka and South Asia. Developed consolidator contracts with every airline that services the region. Voted ‘Top Sales Agent’ by airlines since 2002.

● Built up client database of 14,000. Increased sales and developed new business through a series of e-mailings to client base. Averaged $1.6 million in revenues from this marketing strategy.

● Booked/issued air tickets, hotel and cars for high profile corporate customers

● Developed tour packages to Sri Lanka, Maldives Island and Thailand that garnered additional revenues for the company. Obtained contracts from major resort operators and inbound agents in the region. Negotiated hotel rates and contracted hotel rooms with more than 25 hotels in Sri Lanka and the Maldive islands. Responsible for reservation forecasts and quality control.

● Initiated strategy to develop new markets. Established exclusive contract with second largest inbound tour operator in Egypt to wholesale tour packages, Nile cruises and beach stays. Developed additional product offerings to the Caribbean and Italian markets. Promoted conferences and seminars to increase traffic to contracted resorts and destinations.

1995-2000 FREEWORLD TRAVEL INC. New York, NY

Sales Manager

● Responsible for sales at a mid-sized travel agency with a staff of 10. Oversaw the inbound and outbound travel divisions of the company.

● Developed new ethnic markets for the company. Obtained consolidator contracts and developed South Asian markets that became a significant revenue generator for the company within two years.

● Developed an outbound product line and promoted them to New York’s South Asian community. Increased sales that enabled the company to become a significant player in the ethnic travel market.

● Sales and marketing of inbound and outbound divisions. Created product line in Sri Lanka. Negotiated hotel rates and contract hotel rooms with more than 25 hotels in Sri Lanka. Responsible for reservation forecasts and quality control of resorts.

● Successfully completed basic, intermediate and advanced level Sabre GDS system courses at the American Airlines training center in Dallas, TX.

● Completed basic, intermediate and advanced level Worldspan GDS system courses in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

1987-1993 HOTEL IL NIDO Rome, Italy

Front Office Manager

● Responsible for front desk duties, reservations and bookings for a 50 roomed 3-star hotel in Rome’s business district.

● Helped establish an outside sales team and setting up of operations and administrative systems. Assisted Management in recruitment and training of personnel.

1986-1987 SPARKLINK TRAVELS (PVT.) LTD. Colombo, Sri Lanka Sales Executive

● Helped sales manager in making hotel reservations and ticketing.

● Followed a course in Sabre CRS system to make airline reservations.

● Assisted management in promoting sales through series of promotional events.

● Attended travel industry trade fairs and seminars in Colombo, Sri Lanka. EDUCATION:

2013-2013 SUNY Levin Institute New York, NY

● Certificate, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies 1993-1995 PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE Saranac Lake, NY

● Associate Degree in Travel & Tourism

1985 POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Colombo, Sri Lanka

● Successfully completed a 6-month course in Airline Ticketing and Reservation Systems.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

● Native in English and Sinhalese. Good in Italian.

● Proficient in ComBtas Business Travel software

● Excellent computer skills.

● Proficient in Microsoft NT in networking.

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