Travel agents provide a variety of services to clients that
include purchasing airline tickets, making hotel and resort
reservations, creating itineraries for tour or cruise packages
and providing information about specific destinations. These
days, travel agents may work from home or at an office as
most travel arrangements are made online. To start a travel
agent business, it is helpful to have a working knowledge of
travel agent software, customer service experience and
experience in traveling to different parts of the world.
Step 1
Decide whether to become an independent travel consultant for
a travel agency, franchise owner of an established travel
agency or start your own agency. Independent travel
consultants earn commissions for the work they do for a travel
agency. Consultants may work from home or in an agency's
office. Start-up costs are usually minimal because computer
software; IATA number, which is needed to book flights with
airlines; and office space are typically provided by the travel
agency. A client list may also be provided. As a consultant,
you may be limited in the types of travel services you can
provide clients. Purchasing a franchise allows you to build a
business on an already successful brand, but you may still be
limited in the types of services you can provide. Starting your
own agency allows you to sell a wider variety of travel services
while allowing you keep all the proceeds from each sale.
Startup costs tend to be higher if purchasing a franchise or
starting a business because you will have to finance
equipment, such as a phone, computer and software, Internet
service and marketing materials needed to run the business.
You will also be responsible for building a client list.
Step 2
Determine the types of travel services to offer clients. Travel
services include transportation arrangements (air, train, boat,
car), hotel and resort reservations, cruise packages and
specialized tour packages such as eco-tours or city-based
tours. You may also want to specialize exclusively in family
travel, senior travel, corporate travel or academic travel to set
your business apart from other travel agencies.
Related Reading: How to Start Your Own Web Travel Business
for Under $100
Step 3
Lease a space for your travel agency or work from home.
Contact local commercial real estate agents to find available
retail space. Choose a space in a busy retail area with ample
parking. The space should be large enough to meet with clients
while housing computer equipment, furniture and marketing
materials. If working from home, create a space that allows
you to work comfortably at your computer while providing
adequate storage for computer equipment and software,
marketing materials and files.
Step 4
Create a website that includes a description of travel services,
contact information and on-line booking options. Invest in
computer software programs that process client bookings and
payment from your website, track online marketing campaigns
and captures email addresses. Visit websites, such as
Capterra or GetApp, to read reviews about various travel
agency software. Include testimonials of satisfied clients on
your website. Update your website often by providing
interesting content that clients will find useful when planning a
vacation or traveling for business.
Step 5
Purchase general liability or home-based business insurance to
protect your business in the event of a lawsuit or settlement.
Worker's compensation insurance may be necessary if hiring
employees. This insurance helps pay the costs incurred
through an accident or injury at the workplace.
Step 6
Create marketing materials, such as brochures, business cards
and flyers to promote your travel agency. Join the Greater
Houston Partnership to meet business owners and others in
need of your services. Build a client list that includes email
addresses, travel preferences, past travel destinations. Send
email updates of travel specials, events or other information of
interest to clients each business quarter to encourage sales.
Things Needed
IATA number
Travel agent software
Website
Tip
Register your business with the Texas Secretary of State to
form a limited liability company, corporations or
partnership. Register your business as a sole proprietorship
with the Harris County Clerk's Office if opening your
business in Houston.
Warning
You must apply for an IATA number to book flights with
airlines. Visit International Air Transport Association website
for information about applying for an IATA number, fees and
accreditation requirements. If becoming an independent
consultant for a travel agency, you may be able to rent the
agency's IATA number for a monthly fee.

Here Is A Business Plan For Starting Travel Agency In Nigeria

Get a Travel agency business plan in Nigeria to set up your agency......... https://www.ngbusiness.com.ng/travel-agency/

Updated travel agency business plan in Nigeria
https://businessplan.com.ng/travel-agency-business-plan-nigeria-feasibility-study-complete-guide/

If you have noticed of recent, a whole of Nigerians have been venturing into entrepreneurship, and the reasons are not far fetched. We won’t be discussing that for today. But we will be discussing one of the very few and most lucrative business they have been going into and it’s the travel agency business. Are you so surprised to hear this? Well, it might interest you to know that one of the fastest growing business in Nigeria today, is the Travel Agency business and people are now discovering how profitable it can be not just in Nigeria but across the entire world.

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