How to open a travel agency

Travel business is dependent on many external factors affecting its profitability. At the same time, high competition indicates the extreme attractiveness of this area. To open a travel agency it is necessary to have at least basic knowledge in the field of tourism, to be able to act effectively in stressful situations and use spontaneous opportunities, as well as carry out serious preparatory work.

Instruction manual

1

As with any financial project, the first step should be to draw up a detailed business plan. It reflects a list of all the services that the agency intends to provide, including additional (car rental, visa, guide and translator services), sales technology and the geographical range of the tours offered. The size and location of the planned office, the type and quantity of equipment, and the size of the staff are also indicated. It is necessary to highlight the main competitors and market participants in related types of service. Define a budget, including advertising.

2

The main task of a travel agency is to attract customers (tourists). A large role in this is played by a properly structured advertising and marketing policy. First of all, the company should have a good name, corporate identity and its own web site, reflecting the areas of activity, containing comprehensive user information and enabling online booking of tickets. Take care of the external design of your office: a noticeable and memorable sign, information pillar at the entrance, banners on the windows, etc. Decide which type of advertising will be most effective for you, taking into account the current budget and the category of future customers: printed materials (flyers, booklets, etc.), outdoor advertising in the media (for example, in periodicals of a tourist orientation). Opportunities for promoting services provided by popular tourist portals, for example, www.turizm.ru , www.tours.ru , www.travel.ru , will come in handy .

3

A travel agency can be opened on the basis of franchising under a license agreement with a large tour operator and on his behalf. The latter provides the franchisee (license purchaser) with all the necessary instructions for doing business, technology and corporate identity; legal and other consultations. The franchisor also provides unified corporate advertising support. In turn, the franchisee regularly pays the percentage of its profit specified in the license agreement.

4

An alternative would be to buy a ready-made business. However, this path is often fraught with "pitfalls." Therefore, before deciding to take such a step, it is necessary to study in detail the financial reports and other documents, the client base of the object under consideration for the acquisition. It is best to hire a professional business broker who carefully analyzes all aspects of the business being sold.

Useful advice

Read specialized literature, attend industry exhibitions, master classes of leading tour operators, seek advice from travel industry specialists.

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