How to Open a Travel Agency

Travel agents help clients plan vacations and business trips.

If you love to travel and would enjoy helping others plan vacations or business travel, consider opening your own travel agency. Travel agencies provide a variety of services, like helping clients buy airline tickets or plan a cruise. Sound interesting? Find out what's involved in getting this type of business started.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Travel agent certificate

1. Learn the ins and outs of the business by working with a travel agency agency. Hands-on experience in the field can be invaluable.

2. Seek formal training in the industry by taking relevant courses and earning a travel agent certificate.

3. Learn one or more foreign languages, such as Spanish, French or Chinese.

4. Develop a thorough business plan. It should include details about the type of travel agency you want to start, an analysis of competitors, marketing strategies and budget details.

5. Apply for a small business loan if you need funding. If you approach a business lender, you'll need to submit your business plan and provide information about your credit history. Alternately, you can use personal savings, seek a personal or home-equity loan or ask family members or friends for investment capital.

6. Find out what types of licenses and permits you will need to get started and take care of the requirements. This step may involve getting a business license, filing incorporation paperwork or getting a federal employer identification number (FEIN).

7. Choose a location that's visible from roadways, perhaps in a major shopping center.

8. Advertise your travel agency. To maintain steady business, you'll need new customers and repeat customers. Start by building a website, and consider other forms of advertising, such as classified ads or direct mail.

Resources

• American Society of Travel Agents
• Entrepreneur.com: How to Start a Travel Service