If you love travelling, why not share the love with others by starting your own travel business. You could help people choose the right destination, give advice on attractions, and get to travel even more. You would see the world, both for business purposes and for your own self-indulgence. This move would definitely turn your pleasure into a business, and what is better than doing what you love?
However, before starting off by yourself, especially this kind of a demanding job, you need to know certain things since you wouldn’t be working for a travel agency, where everything is already set up for you. You need to be familiar with the current trends, what is in demand, the market, and other things. Moreover, you need to know how to keep your business alive all by yourself.
With that in mind, here are some of the things you should know and learn before going further with this endeavour.
1. Get certified
If you are only getting started in this industry, perhaps attaining a certificate or a degree wouldn’t be such a bad idea. After all, you will need to be familiar with all the technical things like marketing, booking systems, travel destinations, and all the other ins and outs of the business. A formal education could help you learn everything about hospitality and tourism, as well as how to lead a company or a home-based business. What you are offered is a college degree or a certificate, or a training course in some travel agency. Maybe you could do both, if you have the time and will.
Anyhow, being officially certified gives you good reputation, meaning that you actually know what you are doing. Your customers will understand that you had to pass some kind of test in order to be that good.
2. Find a hosting agency
Since you will be new at this, having a solid foundation wouldn’t be so bad. Sure, you could work on your own, but a hosting agency would offer you so much more. For example, you would save a good amount of money for things that are covered by the agency like marketing, training or a developed network. Be aware that working with a hosting agency means that you will be working for a commission. This could be a turnoff for some, but in the long run, it is the best option for newcomers.
3. Decide what kind of services you will be offering
A travel agent could mean a lot of things. You could deal with many things, like cruises, business trips, vacations for youngsters, and many other options, but the best solution would be to specialise in one or two things. For instance, you could focus on honeymoon travel, or maybe you prefer cruises. Either way, focusing on one type would narrow down your target audience, enabling you to develop a better business plan.
Also, your competition would be reduced, as you won’t have to deal with a big number of other travel agents.
4. Create a website, as well as a marketing plan
You have to get out there if you plan on succeeding with this business. Once you think of a name for your home-based agency, create a website that would represent your business. Make it so that it would offer all the important information about you, your services and offers.
Even better, you could have a blog, too. Through it, you could provide advice on travel saving tips, for example. Additionally, it would bring you more traffic and expand your audience. Of course, this would all be a part of your marketing plan.
Having a well-developed marketing plan is essential for any up-and-coming company. Without it, you wouldn’t know how to proceed. A marketing plan helps you find your customers, become well known, and build a good brand, among other things. Therefore, get down to work and plan it all out. Maybe even find help for this step. Either way, remember that it is important.
5. Get a travel agency software
Other than needing a computer to be able to work, naturally, you will need some kind of program that would help you keep track of everything you do. Since you will be leading a legit business, you need to keep evidence of all your spendings, customers, bookings, and all the rest. You could have someone lead your finances, but you should take care of the other stuff. That is why you should buy a piece of software that was designed especially for this type of job; a program designed to be used by travel agents.
These are great for logging all the bookings, destinations, customers, and prices. You could easily find a piece of software that’s easy to use, and of good quality. Just search for the best travel agency software and get yours, so that you could organise and direct your work with ease.
6. Build a strong network with other travel agents and people from the industry
Like anywhere, in any type of industry, having a good network is of great importance. These people could be your colleagues, associates, clients, or anyone you meet through your work. It would be great for you and your career to keep those relationships afloat, because you never know when you might need someone’s help.
For example, you could join some travel associations and organisations. They could offer you help, training, even more connections and possible job opportunities. Moreover, you could get familiar with any changes or news related to the travel industry through these organisations.
7. Get all the documents in order
You might be working from home, but that doesn’t mean that you are not considered a proper business. Therefore, make sure that you register your small business and have a valid permit to do this job. Also, open an official bank account for the company, which all your transactions would go through. And, lastly, do not forget to have a journal where you would write down all your spendings and expenditures, since you are obliged to pay your taxes as a home-based business. Maybe you could hire a professional to help you with all the red tape.
8. Create a home office
One of the best things you could do for yourself and your business, is to have a separate room from where you could do your job. Since your house could be filled with people at any given time, you should find a quiet room that would serve as your office. Equip it with all the essentials, and you will be ready to start.
Furthermore, if you plan on employing someone else, you should have space for them, as well. Plan this before starting out, so that you could proceed accordingly.
