About this role
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Sales Manager, Leisure to join our dynamic team in Istanbul, Turkey. In this pivotal role, you will drive leisure revenue growth and brand visibility by attracting affluent travelers, vacationing families, luxury guests, and leisure groups from key international and regional markets. You will identify new business opportunities, build strong commercial relationships, and develop tailored sales strategies to maximize bookings, enhance revenue performance, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This is an excellent opportunity for a visionary sales professional who is passionate about luxury hospitality and committed to achieving ambitious commercial objectives.
Drive leisure revenue growth by targeting affluent travelers, luxury vacationers, families, and leisure groups across key source markets, with a focus on the Istanbul and broader Turkish marketDevelop and execute comprehensive leisure-focused sales strategies that align with luxury positioning while maximizing profitability and guest satisfactionBuild and maintain strong, long-term relationships with travel agencies, tour operators, luxury travel advisors, destination management companies (DMCs), and key leisure partnersDevelop relationships with high-value leisure clients and VIP guests to support repeat business, loyalty, and positive brand advocacyIdentify and leverage revenue opportunities including holiday packages, exclusive offers, seasonal promotions, and strategic partnershipsMonitor and analyze leisure sales performance, including bookings, revenue contribution, market trends, and competitive positioningProvide regular sales updates, insights, and recommendations to support business objectives and identify emerging opportunitiesStay informed on leisure travel trends, emerging source markets, consumer preferences, and evolving luxury travel behaviors specific to the regionCollaborate with Marketing and Brand teams to develop compelling leisure campaigns, content, partnerships, and promotional initiativesWork closely with Operations and Revenue Management teams to ensure seamless guest journeys and optimize commercial opportunitiesDevelop tailored sales initiatives and packages that appeal to different leisure segments while maintaining brand integrityConduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and maintain competitive advantage in the leisure segment **Experience:**
Minimum 5 years of experience in sales and business development, preferably within the luxury hotel industry with a strong focus on the leisure segmentProven track record of driving revenue growth, developing new business, and consistently achieving or exceeding sales targetsStrong understanding of luxury leisure travel, including relevant source markets, travel trends, customer behavior, and distribution channelsExperience working with luxury hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, and luxury travel advisorsDemonstrated success in developing and executing strategic sales plans and leisure-focused initiativesExperience in the Turkish or Middle Eastern leisure market is highly desirable**Skills:**
Strong sales and negotiation skills with the ability to develop compelling proposals and convert opportunities into revenueExcellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to build rapport and influence clients, partners, and internal stakeholdersMarket research and analytical capabilities to identify trends, analyze customer behavior, and develop effective sales strategiesProven ability to establish and maintain strong, long-term relationships with travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel advisors, and direct clientsProactive business development approach with the ability to identify new accounts, partnerships, and revenue opportunitiesLeadership and collaboration skills to work effectively across Marketing, Revenue, Operations, and senior management teamsProficiency with CRM systems and sales platforms for managing accounts, tracking leads, and generating reportsProficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPointExperience with hotel sales systems and commercial reporting tools is an advantage**Education:**
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sales & Marketing, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferredRelevant certifications in sales, hospitality, or commercial management are considered an advantage**Domain Expertise:**
In-depth knowledge of luxury hospitality and leisure travel industryUnderstanding of high-net-worth individual behavior and preferencesExpertise in leisure segment dynamics and market positioning**Personal Attributes:**
Self-motivated, commercially driven, and results-oriented with a genuine passion for luxury hospitality and leisure travelStrong commercial awareness with a proactive approach to identifying and converting new business opportunitiesExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levelsAble to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple departmentsAdaptable, resilient, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, target-driven environmentWell-connected within the luxury travel, hospitality, and leisure industry is highly desirableDetail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skillsTransparent communicator with the ability to provide clear, actionable insights and recommendations**Language Skills:**
Fluency in English is requiredAdditional language skills, particularly Turkish, Arabic, French, German, or Spanish, would be an advantage