Country Manager - Southern Africa (DMC)

About the companyMagic Travels is a Destination Management Company specializing in premium and tailor-made travel experiences for international tour operators and travel agencies. As part of our expansion, we are opening a brand-new DMC operation in Southern Africa — starting in South Africa and growing into Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and the wider region — and we are looking for the person who will build and lead it.Who should apply (please read carefully)This role is exclusively for experienced travel-industry professionals. You must have held a senior role in a DMC or inbound tour operator. Applications from candidates without prior experience in a DMC / the inbound travel industry, from junior profiles, or from candidates with a history of frequent short job changes, will not be considered — we are looking for senior, stable operators.About the roleThis is a founder-style leadership role. As Country Manager, you will set up our Southern Africa operation from the ground up — entity, team, supplier network and product — starting in South Africa and then expanding the model across the region. You will run it as a profit center. We are looking for a senior DMC professional who knows the destination inside out and has a deep command of contracting, production, supplier relationships and the premium/luxury and safari travel market.What you'll doBuild the South Africa DMC office from scratch, then replicate it across Southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, etc.)Negotiate and secure contracts with lodges, hotels, safari camps, transport and air providers, guides and other suppliers across multiple countriesDevelop a portfolio of premium, safari and tailor-made travel products and experiencesOwn the commercial relationship with our international source markets (Europe, UK, North America and beyond)Manage cross-border operations, logistics and the regional P&LRecruit, train and lead the local and regional teamsEmbed responsible-tourism and conservation standards into the productWhat we're looking forNon-negotiable: proven senior/leadership experience within a DMC or inbound tour operator, with a minimum of 5 years in the travel/tourism industryA stable career track — long tenures at quality houses, not frequent 1-2 year movesDeep knowledge of Southern Africa as a destination and an established network of suppliers and partners (lodges, camps, transport, air)Strong contracting and production experience in South Africa; experience operating across more than one country in the region (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe) is a strong plus, not a requirement — the regional expansion is something you will help build over timeExpertise in safari, luxury lodges and high-end / tailor-made travelMICE experience (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events) is a big plus — a real differentiator for this roleExperience working with European, UK and/or North American source marketsEntrepreneurial mindset: comfortable building something from the ground up, hands-on and business-drivenAwareness of conservation and responsible-tourism practicesFluent in English (essential). French, Italian, German or other languages are a strong advantageBased in South Africa (Cape Town or Johannesburg) or willing to relocateWhat we offerThe opportunity to launch and own a whole new region for an established DMCFull ownership and autonomy over the Southern Africa operationDirect collaboration with company leadershipA competitive package aligned with your seniority and experienceLocation: South Africa — On-site (Cape Town, or Johannesburg)