Travel
Ashish Agri
Travel & Hospitality Industry Leader
New Delhi
Summary
Focused Travel & Hospitality industry professional, committed to motivating others and offering extensive knowledge penetrating new territories and promoting product lines. Highly effective mentor driven to assess individual and group performance to implement improvements and set goals. A determined individual with a background in establishing and nurturing lucrative partnerships. Expert in End to End business management, Start-Up Operations, Luxury Travel (Corporate & Leisure), Supplier/Stakeholder Management, Cross-Functional Leadership, Call-Centre Management, Digital Marketing & Travel Technology.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Sales - Emerging Markets
Trans India Holidays (A multi award-winning DMC for the Indian Subcontinent)
New Delhi
04.2022 - Current
- Established and cultivated solid business relationships with new or existing customers.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive business strategies, and sales and marketing plans that complemented the overall corporate operating plan.
- Attended industry shows, conventions and other meetings with the primary mission of expanding market opportunities.
- Met with clients, delivering presentations and educating them on product and service features and offerings.
- Closed lucrative sales deals using strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
- Researched competitors' activities and products to uncover new trends
- Conducted team meetings to reinforce goals and objectives and set clear expectations about policies and procedures.
- Led account planning strategy sessions aimed at retaining and acquiring customers and increasing business opportunities.
- Targeted and prospected for new business through telemarketing, individual creativity and innovation.
Business Head
Big Breaks (Leading online assisted travel management company)
New Delhi
08.2017 - 03.2022
- Developed and implemented successful strategies for building company sales.
- Established and managed monthly, quarterly and yearly sales plans.
- Streamlined costs through proactive examination and improvement of operations.
- Built and strengthened relationships with industry partners to drive growth.
- Set and monitored annual budgets for departments and the entire business.
- Cultivated long-term relationships through a focused effort on customers' unique needs and finding the best solutions.
- Established clear and competitive goals, growth roadmaps and strategic business plans.
- Managed and organized internal communication to hold staff accountable to priorities.
- Developed strategy to combat increased competitive presence within the territory.
- Earned company exceptional ratings and testimonials from clients and industry organizations.
- Researched, proposed and implemented vendor agreements to decrease costs and improve services.
- Managed senior-level personnel working in marketing and sales capacities.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
General Manager
Catapultt Services Pvt Ltd (Leading DMC for India, Sri Lanka & Bhutan)
New Delhi
08.2015 - 07.2017
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Maximized operational excellence by mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices and company procedures.
- Reduced costs, managed delivery schedules and performed risk analysis to improve overall profitability.
- Introduced new methods, practices and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts and costs.
- Developed effective business plans to align strategic decisions with long-term objectives.
- Assessed reports to evaluate performance, develop targeted improvements and implement changes.
Vice President
Global Routes (Leading DMC for India)
New Delhi
04.2013 - 07.2015
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long-term goals.
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments to achieve business goals for bottom-line profits.
- Resolved issues and recommended actions based on production and compliance reports.
Sr. Manager - Sales & Operations
Tamarind Global Pvt Ltd
Gurgaon
08.2009 - 03.2013
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provide solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced atmosphere.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
Assistance Manager - Sales
ITC Hotels Ltd (Iconic & award winning 5 star luxury hotels)
New Delhi
08.2007 - 08.2009
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, and engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
- Exceeded goals through effective task prioritization and great work ethic.
- Led projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between parties.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Manipal University
Mangalore, India 07.2008 - 08.2010
Skills
P&L Accountability
Forward planning and strategic thinking
Problem solving and decision-making
Commercial awareness
Digital marketing proficiency
CRM and Salesforce proficiency
B2B/B2C/Online Sales
Cost Optimisation/Reduction
Emotional Intelligence
Procurement - Travel/Transportation/Air/Train
Communication Skills
Key Account Management
Call Centre Management
Award-winning sales professional
Technical Skills
MS Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook
Apple Apps Pages, Numbers, Keynote
Digital Marketing SEO, Google AdWords, Social Media
Google Workspace Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Forms Lead/Team Management
SalesForce CRM
Certification
FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL MARKETING (Google)
Projects
- Successfully administered entire logistics, travel and accommodation arrangements for two Formula 1 season in India for teams including Lotus Renault, Mclaren Mercedes, Pirelli, etc. (10/2011 - 10/2012)
- Successfully planned end-to-end arrangements for over 700 international delegates for the 5th ICTCR, held at Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi (02/2014 - 02/2014)
- Successfully executed travel & tourism requirements for a group of 4000 guests to Sri Lanka for a large event (01/2017 - 01/2017)
Accomplishments
- Reached monthly sales of 1 crore + in less than a year at Big Breaks
- Renegotiated the contracts with hotel partners/vendors to make products competitive to sell in an online environment, reduced the website prices by 25%-30% at Big Breaks
- Delivered a 10x growth in monthly sales at Catapultt
- Built the business at Global Routes from scratch to Rs 8 crore annual revenues & a 15-member team within 2 years
- Recognized as “Top Performing Manager” for two consecutive years at Tamarind Global
- Initiated FIT contracts system at ITC hotels for travel partners and delivered a growth of over 35%; was promoted within a year for the initiative
Interests
Gastronomy
Reading
Timeline
Head of Sales - Emerging Markets
Trans India Holidays (A multi award-winning DMC for the Indian Subcontinent)
04.2022 - Current
FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL MARKETING (Google)
08-2020
Sell to Excel Sales Training Workshop
03-2019
Business Head
Big Breaks (Leading online assisted travel management company)
08.2017 - 03.2022
General Manager
Catapultt Services Pvt Ltd (Leading DMC for India, Sri Lanka & Bhutan)
08.2015 - 07.2017
Vice President
Global Routes (Leading DMC for India)
04.2013 - 07.2015
Sales and Negotiation Training (Tamarind Global)
08-2011
Sr. Manager - Sales & Operations
Tamarind Global Pvt Ltd
08.2009 - 03.2013
MBA - Marketing
Manipal University
07.2008 - 08.2010
Assistance Manager - Sales
ITC Hotels Ltd (Iconic & award winning 5 star luxury hotels)
08.2007 - 08.2009