FATEMA GITTHAM
Tustin,USA
Summary
Dynamic Senior Travel Consultant with over 15 years of expertise in leisure, escorted group travel, and customized international itineraries. Extensive firsthand destination knowledge acquired through familiarization trips, escorted group tours, and personal travel experiences. Proven ability to manage complex group logistics and supplier coordination while consistently delivering exceptional client experiences. Eager to leverage skills and industry insights in a challenging travel agent role that promotes mutual growth for both the employer and the consultant.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Travel Consultant
Escapes Unlimited
01.2016 - Current
- Design and manage international leisure FIT and group itineraries
- Specialize in small group tours coordinating flights, hotels, transportation, and sightseeing tours ensuring seamless travel experience
- Create custom travel itineraries for FIT's and provide timely quotes based on client needs.
- Work closely with airline consolidators, DMCs, and local agencies
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and vendors driving repeat business and loyalty
- Book flights, issue tickets and manage queues using Travelport+, Galileo, and Sabre GDS
- Manage high volumes of complex bookings, iitneraries to unique destinations with strong attention to detail
- Respond promptly to client calls and emails for new & existing bookings
- Provide expert travel guidance to ensure high client satisfaction
- Escort select group tours and manage on-site logistics to ensure smooth operations
- Handle administrative and office management tasks within the agency
- File and submit weekly ARC reports
- Coordinate bookings for small cruise ships directly with cruise lines, ensuring personalized and tailored experiences
Airline Customer Service Agent
Pacific Aviation
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Delivered exceptional customer service by assisting passengers with check-in, travel documentation, boarding passes, baggage, and itinerary changes.
- Managed reservations, standbys, cabin availability
- Issued travel and hotel vouchers during irregular operations.
- Communicated flight updates and gate changes over the PA system while supporting team members to ensure safe, efficient operations.
- Promoted from Ground Check-In Agent to Flight Controller within one year.
Reservation and Ticketing Agent
Sheen Travels
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Managed airline, hotel and cruise bookings using the Sabre reservation system, handling fare quotes and ticketing,
- Issued, validated, and revalidated physical tickets on ticket stock in accordance with airline and fare rules.
- Delivered prompt, courteous service while managing high call volumes, processing payments, maintaining accurate records, and preparing sales reports. Coordinated with airlines and travel partners to ensure seamless customer experiences.
Travel Agent
Sahara Travels & Tours
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Handled heavy number of phone calls.
- Provided information on package tours and destinations.
- Discussed client requirements, advised on suitable options and made necessary arrangements for the tour.
- Confirmed bookings and notified clients of luggage limits, insurance, medical, passport, Visa and currency requirements.
Tour Operator
India Travelite
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Organized inbound tours for Americana & European tourists.
- Build itineraries for FIT clients and made all necessary necessary arrangements, including airline reservations, hotel bookings, transportation and tours working directly with the local vendors.
- Worked closely with the team and managed a team of 5 people.
- Worked my way up from a trainee to a senior staff in less than a year.
Reservation & Ticketing Agent (Internship)
Columbus Travels & Services Pvt. Ltd.
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Domestic counter staff in an IATA recognized travel agency.
- Managed domestic ticketing. Issued tickets manually and automatically.
- Dealt with customer service concerns and complaints by phone and in person.
- Worked on Amadeus computer reservation system.
Education
IATA/UFTAA Foundation course - airline industry & ticketing, electronic booking tool, major CRS systems
IHCTM
01.2006
Diploma in Travel & Tourism - travel and hotel industries, practical work
SNDT University
01.2002
Skills
Advanced knowledge of GDS systems (Sabre, Galileo, Amadeus, Travelport)
- Expertise in FIT, group, and luxury travel itineraries
- Knowledge of travel documentation (passport, visa, insurance, medical requirements)
- Familiarity with ARC/IATA reporting and agency compliance
- Travel budgeting and cost optimization for clients
- Destination expertise
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Exceptional customer service and relationship building
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution under pressure
- Ability to manage high volumes of bookings with attention to detail
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity for international clients
- Leadership and mentoring of junior consultants
- Creativity and innovation
- Multilingual proficiency
Accomplishments
- Exceeded Revenue Goals: Sold high-value packages, surpassing sales targets significantly.
- Increased Bookings: Boosted bookings in specific areas
- Drove Profitability: Promoted high-margin products, increasing annual revenue.
- Crafted Unique Trips: Designed detailed, personalized itineraries for complex and unusual trips
Countries Visited
- Austria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands
- France
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Mexico
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Switzerland
- UAE
- UK
- Qatar
Employment Objective
Seeking a challenging position within the travel industry as a travel agent where I may apply my skills and knowledge to benefit my employer and myself.
Languages
Gujarati
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Urdu
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Travel Consultant
Escapes Unlimited
01.2016 - Current
Airline Customer Service Agent
Pacific Aviation
01.2008 - 01.2011
Reservation and Ticketing Agent
Sheen Travels
01.2007 - 01.2008
Travel Agent
Sahara Travels & Tours
01.2005 - 01.2006
Tour Operator
India Travelite
01.2002 - 01.2003
Reservation & Ticketing Agent (Internship)
Columbus Travels & Services Pvt. Ltd.
01.2002 - 12.2002
Diploma in Travel & Tourism - travel and hotel industries, practical work
SNDT University
IATA/UFTAA Foundation course - airline industry & ticketing, electronic booking tool, major CRS systems
IHCTM