Travel Consultant / Planner

HIGH DemandLOW AI RiskGROWING in SL· Rs.90k+ /mo

The most glamorous corner of the travel industry — for sophisticated travel lovers who want to design extraordinary experiences for the world's most discerning travelers.”

About This Role

Designing customized travel itineraries and providing expert advice to travelers.

A Day in the Life

Design premium, bespoke travel experiences for discerning clients — crafting custom itineraries, selecting exceptional accommodation, and curating unique activities for luxury and complex travel.

Conduct in-depth client consultation to understand travel vision, preferences, and budget
Research and design bespoke itineraries for complex destinations (multi-country, luxury lodges)
Select and book premium hotels, boutique lodges, private villas, and experiences
Coordinate private transfers, charter flights, and exclusive experiences
Prepare visually stunning travel proposals with detailed program notes
Manage client communication throughout planning and travel
Source unique and authentic local experiences beyond standard tourist trail
Build and maintain relationships with luxury hotel and experience partners

Work Environment

HYBRIDTeam: SOLOBUSINESS CASUALRemote: HIGH

Boutique travel agency or independent luxury travel consultant environment. Creative, research-intensive work. Client-focused with personal relationship emphasis. Significant travel to experience destinations firsthand. Sri Lankan luxury travel planning is a growing premium segment.

Typical hours: 45h/week · WLB score 8/10 · RARE overtime

Flexible lifestyle with excellent work-life balance for experienced planners. International travel for destination research a career perk.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

Luxury travel product knowledge (hotels, lodges, private experiences)Bespoke itinerary design and destination expertisePremium hotel and experience sourcing and negotiationHigh-net-worth client management and expectationsVisual proposal creation and presentationSpecialist destination knowledge (Africa safaris, European villas, Asia retreats)

Soft Skills

Premium client service and personalizationCreative destination storytellingHigh-touch relationship managementAttention to experience quality detailTrusted advisor positioning

Tools & Software

Tourwriter for luxury itinerary designCanva and InDesign for proposal presentationLuxury hotel booking portals (Preferred Hotels, Leading Hotels)GDS for airline bookingMicrosoft OfficeTrello for complex itinerary management

Salary in Sri Lanka (LKR / month)

Entry LevelRs.50k – Rs.90k/mo

Mid-LevelRs.100k – Rs.250k/mo

SeniorRs.250k – Rs.700k/mo

Entry: Junior Travel Planner / Travel Research CoordinatorMid: Travel Planner / Luxury Travel ConsultantSenior: Senior Luxury Travel Planner / Travel Company Director

Typical progression: 3yr to mid · 8yr to senior

Global Salary (USD / year)

Entry Level$35k – $60k/yr

Mid-Level$60k – $120k/yr

Senior$120k – $250k/yr

Top Markets

International luxury travel companies with remote specialist rolesUK and Australian luxury travel agenciesUS luxury travel agencies (Virtuoso network)Middle East HNW client base

Market Outlook

GROWING

Luxury travel segment growing in SL — both outbound luxury travel consulting and inbound SL luxury planning. HNW Sri Lankan diaspora (UK, Australia, Canada) an underserved premium market.

Hiring: LOW

Connaissance de CeylanJetwing Travels luxury divisionBoutique travel agencies specializing in luxuryIndependent luxury travel consultancy (freelance)International luxury travel companies with SL-based specialists

GROWING

Luxury travel recovering strongly globally. Experienced travel planners specializing in specific regions (Africa, Asia, India) in high demand.

Entry Requirements

Sri Lanka

Min. EducationBACHELORS

ExperienceBachelor's in Tourism or related field. Genuine passion for travel and luxury hospitality. Personal international travel experience highly valued.

Preferred

Destination specialist certificationsIATA certificationPersonal luxury travel experience portfolioForeign language skills (French, German for European luxury market)

Global

Min. EducationBACHELORS

ExperienceTourism degree with luxury travel experience and destination knowledge.

Preferred

Virtuoso or Preferred membershipMulti-destination specialist credentialsLanguage skills for target luxury markets

Helpful Certifications

Virtuoso preferred travel advisor membershipKiwi Collection luxury hotel specialistAfrican Travel specialist certifications (Fathom Africa, Wilderness Safaris)IATA certificationDestination specialist programs (Hawaii, Maldives, Europe)

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Freelance: VERY HIGHRemote: HIGHCapital: LOW

Freelance earnings: $1000–$10000/mo (USD)

Platforms (SL)

Personal luxury travel brand (Instagram, Pinterest)HNW client referral networkDiaspora community luxury travel planning

Business Ideas

Independent luxury travel design boutique
SL inbound luxury travel specialist company
Diaspora wedding and celebration travel planning
Specialist destination travel (Africa safaris, Antarctica, Maldives)

Side Income Ideas

Luxury travel blog and social media monetizationDestination photography and contentLuxury hotel review partnershipsTravel inspiration courses and workshops

Excellent for experienced luxury planners. HNW client referrals grow exponentially with quality. Diaspora market largely unserved by SL-based luxury specialists.

Risks & Challenges

AI / Automation Risk

LOW

UNLIKELY

Burnout Risk

LOW

Job Security (SL)

MEDIUM

Bespoke luxury travel design and high-touch client relationships are immune to automation.

Burnout Causes

Demanding luxury client expectationsConstantly staying current on new luxury products globally

Physical Health Risks

Frequent international travel for destination research

Mental Health Risks

High standards pressure for luxury client delivery

How to Mitigate

Build Virtuoso or equivalent luxury network membership for credibility
Specialize deeply in 2–3 destinations for competitive expertise positioning
Develop referral-based client acquisition model for independent practice

Is This Career For You?

Sophisticated, well-traveled tourism graduate with a love of luxury, strong creative vision, and the patience to build a premium reputation in the selective luxury travel market.

Personality Types

ENFPESFJENTJ

Core Motivations

Crafting extraordinary travel experiences that exceed client expectationsLiving a travel-rich career through destination research and client journeysBuilding a premium business serving discerning HNW travelers

What You'll Love

Creative freedom in designing unique luxury experiences
International travel perks from FAM trips and destination research
High earnings potential in luxury segment

What's Challenging

Extremely high client expectations with no tolerance for failure
Building reputation and client base takes time
External events can derail carefully planned luxury itineraries