How To Start a Travel Agency in 3 Steps
Due to the consolidation of the travel industry and the closing of weaker travel agencies that could not keep up with the times, there is more opportunity for those with previous marketing and business experience to learn how to start a travel agency.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the number of available cruise cabins continues to rise as cruise lines add newer, bigger ships. In 2006, there was one travel agency for every seven cabins booked. In 2010, there was one travel agency for every 12 cabins. By 2014, it is projected that there will be one agency for every 15 cabins. With travel agents making commission on every cabin booked, this is an exciting business opportunity.
It may sound impossible to start any business in three steps, but here are three guidelines to keep in mind if you want to learn how to start a travel agency.
Search for the Right Business
Start the search for the right travel agency franchise from the comfort of your own desk. Go to franchise information sites such as ones hosted by Entrepreneur magazine. You don't need to choose the one that is ranked highest, because some rankings are based purely on size. But you can get an initial list of prospective travel agencies. Then, go to individual company Web sites to research what they offer. A reputable franchisor will also provide you with names of current franchisees who can share their successes and challenges with you. You can also do a background check by reading media stories about the franchisor.
Get the Training You Need
Cruise Holidays has been selling cruise travel franchises since the mid-1980s. Many of their newer travel agency owners had no background in selling travel. "We look for people who have found success in previous business or marketing careers and teach them how to start a travel agency from the ground up," stated Mark Schiffner, vice president of Cruise Holidays. After being trained on all aspects of the cruise industry, the new business owners then leverage their other skills to find success with their cruise business.
Look for a company that will provide online training as well as live training, such as a few days visiting the company headquarters to meet top personnel and learn about topics that are more difficult to grasp via an online class.
Don't Give Up
"Cruise Holidays has crafted a ‘Success Strategy' for new franchise owners so they leave our initial training session with an action plan," said Schiffner. "We encourage people to follow the model we have developed because over nearly three decades, we have seen what works and what doesn't," said Schiffner.
Ask if there are ongoing online lessons to help you stay abreast of current industry trends. The franchisor should also have e-mail and phone support personnel available and networking opportunities with other franchisees.
If at any point during your start-up process, especially in the first few weeks or months, you start to feel like you are going down the wrong path, keep in touch with the headquarters staff. "Don't be afraid to ask questions, because chances are someone else has already asked it and we have the answer for you," said Schiffner.
Read more articles about travel franchises at www.joincruiseholidays.com or www.canadajoincruiseholidays.com.
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