Entrepreneurs – Want To Start A Travel Agency?

You have decided that you want to be a travel agent, you know it is a very competitive area so you are not quite sure what you should do in order to start a successful travel agency.  Here are a few ideas.

First of all you cannot be competitive in every area so the key is to specialise:

* In one type of holiday or vacation.

* In one area of a country or one country or a small group of countries.

* In one type of holiday -e.g. skiing or adventure.

* In a particular group of people – e.g. the retired or under 25’s.

Once you have decided how you want to specialise then you need to set up a set of great holidays that will appeal to your chosen customers. 

You now have your key products and an idea of who you want to sell them to.  Now you need to set up your marketing strategy.  In this you will decide how you are going to sell your vacations.

First of all you need to advertise where your people will be.  So if you are selling skiing holidays then you need to advertise in skiing and out door pursuit magazines and newspapers.  If you are advertising to the retired then advertise on magazines during the day when they are likely to be listening.

Yes you will most definitely need a web site in this day and age.  Many people now look for their vacations on the internet.  They may not buy but they are definitely researching.  If you are unable to design a site you can find programmers on sites such as Guru and elance who can help you..  On your site you will need:

* Contact details.

* Booking facilities.

* The ability to take deposits.

* Of course, details of your holiday packages.

You can particularly promote your key packages as these will attract your surfers.

You should take each of your key packages and write a press release on them.  You should release the press releases over a period of time.

Lastly try and get some local radio time to promote your key packages.

Good luck.