KHADIJA EDDAIF

Senior Sales Manager Leisure and MICE

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Profile summary

Dynamic and results-driven Senior Sales Manager with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism sector, specializing in Leisure and MICE. Proven track record of driving revenue growth, expanding market presence across global regions, and fostering strategic partnerships. Adept at developing and executing sales strategies, leading high-impact promotional campaigns, and negotiating high-value deals. Passionate about exceeding targets, enhancing guest experience, and contributing to brand success.

Key skills

Skills
Strategic planning and revenue growthMarket analysis and competitive intelligenceB2B and B2C sales strategiesClient acquisition and relationship managementTeam building and performance coachingPersuasive sales pitches and public speakingActive listening and rapport buildingData Analytics & Reporting (Leisure & MICE)CRM Software Proficiency (Salesforce, etc.)Digital Marketing & Social Media StrategyRevenue Management Systems (RMS) ExpertiseNegotiation & Contract Management

Professional experience

Senior Sales Manager Leisure and MICENov 2023 - Present
Al Raha Beach Resort & SPA

Promoted based on consistent overachievement of targets and strategic sales success. Integrated Yas Neighbourhood into sales campaigns, enhancing the resort's positioning in Abu Dhabi. Identify and pursue new business opportunities, expanding the client portfolio. Strengthened B2B partnerships with travel agencies, event organizers, and tourism partners. Negotiate contracts and agreements with clients to secure high-value deals. Analysed market demand and booking trends to optimize occupancy and maximize profitability. Implemented dynamic pricing and revenue management techniques to improve RGI. Successfully increased pick-up rates by 20% vs last year through targeted sales strategies and client engagement.

  • Promoted based on consistent overachievement of targets and strategic sales success
  • Integrated Yas Neighbourhood into sales campaigns, enhancing the resort's positioning in Abu Dhabi
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities, expanding the client portfolio
  • Strengthened B2B partnerships with travel agencies, event organizers, and tourism partners
  • Negotiate contracts and agreements with clients to secure high-value deals
  • Analysed market demand and booking trends to optimize occupancy and maximize profitability
  • Implemented dynamic pricing and revenue management techniques to improve RGI
  • Successfully increased pick-up rates by 20% vs last year through targeted sales strategies and client engagement
Sales Manager Leisure and MICENov 2022 - Nov 2023
Al Raha Beach Resort & SPA

Built and maintained a strong relationship with DCT Abu Dhabi, actively engaging in major roadshows to enhance brand visibility and market presence. Represented the hotel at most major trade shows and industry events annually, including IBTM, WOW Awards Asia, Ahlan Arabia GCC by Dnata, DWP Congress, ATM, and MICE Experts’ Secret Workshop, generating high-value leads. Developed and implemented targeted sales strategies, driving a 15% increase in bookings from MICE/GCC travellers. Expanded market presence across global regions, including China, India, GCC, and key European markets such as Italy, France, the UK, Spain, and Latin America. Identified and secured 1.5 million in new business opportunities within the leisure and MICE travel sectors, increasing the company's market share during Q3 2024. Built and maintained partnerships with 50+ travel agencies, tour operators, and MICE travel partners, fostering long-term collaborations that enhanced revenue streams. Collaborated with the marketing team to design and launch high-impact promotional campaigns targeting GCC and Indian markets.

  • Built and maintained a strong relationship with DCT Abu Dhabi, actively engaging in major roadshows to enhance brand visibility and market presence
  • Represented the hotel at most major trade shows and industry events annually, including IBTM, WOW Awards Asia, Ahlan Arabia GCC by Dnata, DWP Congress, ATM, and MICE Experts’ Secret Workshop, generating high-value leads
  • Developed and implemented targeted sales strategies, driving a 15% increase in bookings from MICE/GCC travellers
  • Expanded market presence across global regions, including China, India, GCC, and key European markets such as Italy, France, the UK, Spain, and Latin America
  • Identified and secured 1.5 million in new business opportunities within the leisure and MICE travel sectors, increasing the company's market share during Q3 2024
  • Built and maintained partnerships with 50+ travel agencies, tour operators, and MICE travel partners, fostering long-term collaborations that enhanced revenue streams
  • Collaborated with the marketing team to design and launch high-impact promotional campaigns targeting GCC and Indian markets
Sales Executive Leisure and MICEDec 2017 - Dec 2021
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas | Abu Dhabi

Managed a portfolio of 200+ Leisure and MICE accounts, ensuring seamless coordination and exceptional client service. Led business development efforts, expanding market reach across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, driving 20% increase in bookings and revenue. Proactively identified and secured new business opportunities, consistently exceeding budgetary targets. Monitored market trends, introducing innovative offerings to stay ahead of industry shifts and customer preferences. Strengthened client relationships, conducting daily meetings and scheduling structured sales calls, site inspections, and entertainment activities. Executed operational tasks efficiently, including generating proposals, drafting contracts, and handling customer correspondence, ensuring 100% compliance with company policies. Represented the resort in local roadshows and industry events, successfully increasing brand visibility and fostering strategic partnerships.

  • Managed a portfolio of 200+ Leisure and MICE accounts, ensuring seamless coordination and exceptional client service
  • Led business development efforts, expanding market reach across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, driving 20% increase in bookings and revenue
  • Proactively identified and secured new business opportunities, consistently exceeding budgetary targets
  • Monitored market trends, introducing innovative offerings to stay ahead of industry shifts and customer preferences
  • Strengthened client relationships, conducting daily meetings and scheduling structured sales calls, site inspections, and entertainment activities
  • Executed operational tasks efficiently, including generating proposals, drafting contracts, and handling customer correspondence, ensuring 100% compliance with company policies
  • Represented the resort in local roadshows and industry events, successfully increasing brand visibility and fostering strategic partnerships
Reservation Team leaderJul 2015 - Jan 2018
Beach Rotana Hotel | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Efficiently streamlined booking processes within the Hotel ensuring customer satisfaction and increased efficiency in operations. Executed group bookings and events with seamless coordination with operations and sales teams. Oversee group reservations, ensuring seamless coordination of contracts, room blocks, and booking procedures. Collaborate with the Revenue Management team to refine pricing models and enhance booking conversions. Lead the reservations team, providing training and support to ensure smooth daily operations.

  • Efficiently streamlined booking processes within the Hotel ensuring customer satisfaction and increased efficiency in operations
  • Executed group bookings and events with seamless coordination with operations and sales teams
  • Oversee group reservations, ensuring seamless coordination of contracts, room blocks, and booking procedures
  • Collaborate with the Revenue Management team to refine pricing models and enhance booking conversions
  • Lead the reservations team, providing training and support to ensure smooth daily operations
Customer Service RepresentativeDec 2013 - Dec 2014
Qatar Airways | Doha, Qatar

Provide exceptional customer service, assisting passengers with inquiries, bookings, flight changes, and travel requirements. Handle passenger concerns professionally, resolving complaints and ensuring a seamless travel experience. Guide customers through airport procedures, including check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and visa requirements. Coordinate with operational teams to ensure efficient service delivery and adherence to airline standards.

  • Provide exceptional customer service, assisting passengers with inquiries, bookings, flight changes, and travel requirements
  • Handle passenger concerns professionally, resolving complaints and ensuring a seamless travel experience
  • Guide customers through airport procedures, including check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and visa requirements
  • Coordinate with operational teams to ensure efficient service delivery and adherence to airline standards

Education

Master's, Hospitality Management
Faculty of Business and Public Management