Tour Host and Partnerships Officer

Reports to: Marketing Director (Nairobi)

Start date: As soon as Possible

Job Purpose

• The Tour Host and Partnerships Officer is responsible for the delivery of the studio's guided sessions and for the development and management of a referral network across the Watamu and Malindi hospitality sector. The officer serves as the studio's representative to hotels, resorts, accredited guides and tour operators, and is accountable for guest volume generated through these channels.

Key Result Areas

Session Delivery

• Plan for the guided sessions in Italian and English for groups and participants.
• Present each collection with accurate reference to the maker, place of origin, material and production technique, in accordance with the studio's approved interpretive content.
• Work in line with the studio's operating procedures.
• Ensure all sessions commence at the scheduled time.
• Maintain the presentation, cleanliness and security of the collection and studio premises.

Partnership Development and Management

• Identify, engage and secure referral partnerships with hotels, resorts, private villas, accredited guides, marine excursion operators and tour organisers within Watamu and Malindi.
• Conduct scheduled weekly visits to front office, concierge and guest relations departments of partner properties.
• Administer the partner booking code system, including issuance, tracking and verification of referrals.
• Prepare referral payment schedules for approval by the Marketing Director.
• Communicate session schedules, group rates and seasonal offers to all partners.
• Maintain an up-to-date partner register, including contact details, visit records and referral performance.

Guest Experience and Reputation Management

• Manage guest arrivals, bookings and enquiries
• Request post-session reviews on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and Airbnb Experiences.
• Record and escalate guest feedback to the Marketing Director.
• Collect guest contact information for marketing purposes, subject to guest consent and the Data Protection Act, 2019.

Reporting and Administration

• Record daily attendance, bookings and referral sources in the studio's shared tracking system on the day of each session.
• Submit a daily session report and a weekly partnership report to the Marketing Director.
• Participate in a weekly review meeting with the Nairobi team by video call.
• Provide photographic and written session content to the marketing team.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be assessed monthly against the following indicators:

• Number of guests hosted per week
• Number and value of bookings generated through partner codes
• Number of active partner properties and guides
• Volume of new reviews and average platform rating
• Session punctuality rate
• Timeliness and accuracy of reports

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Diploma or degree in Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Travel Operations or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of one (2) year of experience in tourism, hospitality, guiding, guest relations or sales.
• Professional fluency in spoken English.
• Residence in Watamu or Malindi, or willingness to relocate before the start date.
• Proficiency in WhatsApp Business, Google Sheets and online booking platforms.

Desirable but optional

• Working knowledge of the Italian language.
• Established professional contacts within the Kenyan coastal hospitality sector.
• Accreditation as a tour guide with a recognised Kenyan body.
• Knowledge of African material culture, craft or design.

Core Competencies

• Public presentation and group facilitation
• Relationship management and negotiation
• Punctuality and operational discipline
• Accurate record-keeping and reporting
• Independent work with remote supervision
• Cross-cultural communication

Airi Handmade Studio is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified persons.