travel portal business plan

Travel Agency Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Travel Agency Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Travel Agency business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their travel agencies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Travel Agency business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

My Itinerary Travel Agency is a new travel agency located in Boca Raton, Florida. The company is founded by Sandra Rodriguez, an experienced travel agent who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a travel agency during the past ten years while working at Fun Destinations Travel Agency. Now that Sandra has experienced managing a travel agency, she is ready to start her own company, My Itinerary Travel Agency. Sandra is confident that her organizational and communication skills, combined with her understanding of business management, will enable her to run a profitable travel agency of her own. Sandra is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a travel agency – sales and marketing, vendor relationships, customer relationship management, budgeting, and financial reporting.

My Itinerary Travel Agency will provide a full suite of travel planning services for individuals nationwide through its sophisticated online platform and accompanying customer app. My Itinerary Travel Agency will be the go-to travel agency for personalized service, convenience, and expertise of its travel agents. The company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while offering the best travel accommodations available.

Product Offering

The following are the services that My Itinerary Travel Agency will provide:

• Airline travel bookings
• Tour and travel package sales
• Accommodation reservations and bookings
• Cruise bookings
• Car rental reservations
• Travel ticket sales and reservations
• Tour ticket sales and reservations

Customer Focus

My Itinerary Travel Agency will target individuals nationwide who are looking for personalized and convenient travel planning services. The company will target vacationers, tourists, and business travelers who are seeking the best deals on premium accommodations. No matter the customer, My Itinerary Travel Agency will deliver the best communication, service, and the best prices.

Management Team

My Itinerary Travel Agency will be owned and operated by Sandra Rodriguez. Sandra is a graduate of Florida University with a degree in business. She has over ten years of experience working as a travel agent for another local agency. Sandra will be the company’s chief executive officer. She will oversee the travel agency staff, manage customer relationships, and build vendor relationships.

Sandra has recruited sales and marketing expert, Sara Anderson, to be the company’s chief marketing officer and help oversee travel agency’s sales and marketing activities. Sara will handle all branding, marketing, advertising, and outreach for the company. She will also create and maintain the company’s online and social media presence. Sara has a Master’s degree in Marketing and has nearly ten years of experience working as a marketing director for a leading travel industry corporation.

Success Factors

My Itinerary Travel Agency will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Skilled team of travel agents combined with the latest technology in the industry will allow the company to provide its clients with personalized service and modern convenience to make planning their trip easy and efficient.
• The members of the leadership team have long standing relationships with a large pool of vendors, allowing them to provide clients with the best deals possible on premium accommodations.
• The company offers a variety of modes of communication to better serve more clients’ preferences. Customers can speak with a travel agent in person, via telephone, video call, email, or chat through the website or app. Support is available 24/7 to ensure all clients’ questions and concerns are promptly attended to.

Financial Highlights

My Itinerary Travel Agency is seeking $290,000 in debt financing to launch its travel agency. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space, and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office build-out: $110,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $70,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $90,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for My Itinerary Travel Agency.

Company Overview

Who is my itinerary travel agency.

My Itinerary Travel Agency is a newly established travel agency in Boca Raton, Florida. My Itinerary Travel Agency will be the first choice for anyone seeking a personalized approach, 24/7 support, and streamlined technology to make trip planning easy. The company will serve customers nationwide from their headquarters in Florida.

My Itinerary Travel Agency will be able to guarantee the best deals possible thanks to the leadership team members’ long standing relationships with a large network of vendors in the hospitality, transportation, and entertainment markets. The company’s team of highly qualified travel agents will provide personalized service to each client, removing the uncertainty and hassles associated with finding and booking the right accommodations.

My Itinerary Travel Agency History

My Itinerary Travel Agency is owned and operated by Sandra Rodriguez, an experienced travel agent who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a travel agency during the past ten years while working at Fun Destinations Travel Agency. Now that Sandra has experienced managing a travel agency, she is ready to start her own company, My Itinerary Travel Agency. Sandra is confident that her organizational and communication skills, combined with her understanding of business management, will enable her to run a profitable travel agency of her own. Sandra is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a travel agency – sales and marketing, vendor relationships, customer relationship management, budgeting, and financial reporting.

Since incorporation, My Itinerary Travel Agency has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered My Itinerary Travel Agency, LLC to transact business in the state of Florida
• Has identified the ideal location for the company’s office and is in the process of securing a lease
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include transportation, hospitality, and entertainment companies to begin securing vendor contracts
• Began recruiting a staff of accountants, travel agents, and other office personnel to work at My Itinerary Travel Agency

My Itinerary Travel Agency Services

• Airline travel comparisons and bookings

Industry Analysis

The U.S. travel agency industry is valued at $48.5B with more than 90,600 businesses in operation and over 318,600 employees nationwide. Factors currently driving industry growth include an increase in domestic tourism and travel for overnight trips, vacations, and business purposes. More domestic travel typically results in more consumers using travel agencies to book their trips. The travel agency industry can be segmented by brick-and-mortar establishments or online businesses. The global market size for the online travel agency segment reached $432B last year and is expected to rise as more people use the internet to book their trips. The travel agency industry relies heavily on the use of technology. Industry operators must stay up-to-date on the latest travel technology in order to remain competitive in the market.

One of the most significant hurdles for travel agency operators is attracting customers in the age of do-it-yourself booking. Now that customers are able to book many of their travel accommodations themselves, travel agents must be able to demonstrate why booking with them is a better option. Some ways industry operators can add value are by providing personalized services, promotional discounts, and helpful information about accommodation options.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

My Itinerary Travel Agency will target individuals nationwide who are looking for personalized and convenient travel planning services. The company will target vacationers, tourists, and business travelers who are seeking the best deals on premium accommodations. No matter the customer, My Itinerary Travel Agency will deliver professional communication, service, and the best prices.

The precise demographics for Boca Raton, Florida are:

Customer Segmentation

My Itinerary Travel Agency will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals and families planning a vacation
• Business travelers
• Individuals and families in need of accommodations for events such as weddings, reunions, or conventions

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

My Itinerary Travel Agency will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Fun Destinations Travel Agency

Fun Destinations Travel Agency is one of the largest and oldest travel agencies in Florida. The company was founded in 1958 in Boca Raton with one small office location. Now, the company has over 50 locations throughout multiple states. Fun Destinations specializes in booking accommodations for family vacationers. The company books accommodations near key family destinations such as theme parks, resorts, and tourist attractions. Fun Destinations is family owned and operated so the founders are familiar with the hassles associated with planning a family vacation. For this reason, Fun Destinations focuses on booking the best family-friendly accommodations so its clients can relax and enjoy the family fun.

Best Fit Vacations Travel Agency

Best Fit Vacations Travel Agency is a small travel agency catering to Boca Raton locals from its central office and nationwide clients via its online booking platform. The company was established in 1995 with the mission of providing vacation accommodations that will be “the best fit” for every client. Best Fit Vacations is owned and operated by industry professionals that have extensive experience working with vendors to negotiate the best deals for clients. The company strives to get the lowest prices for every booking and regularly finds additional savings and discounts other agencies might not know about.

Trustworthy Travel Agency

Trustworthy Travel Agency is a Boca Raton, Florida-based travel agency that provides superior service to its consumers. The company is able to provide a wide variety of travel accommodation bookings for customers in the area. Trustworthy Travel Agency has three locations throughout the state and operates an online booking platform for nationwide travelers. Customers can book online or over the phone at their convenience. The company uses an algorithm that finds the lowest prices on travel, lodging, and other accommodations across the country.

Competitive Advantage

My Itinerary Travel Agency will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

My Itinerary Travel Agency will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• My Itinerary Travel Agency offers the best deals through its extensive vendor network.
• The company offers personalized customer service, a variety of communication modes, and 24/7 support.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for My Itinerary Travel Agency is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The company’s chief marketing officer will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. She will ensure My Itinerary Travel Agency maintains an active social media presence with regular updates and fun content to get customers excited about traveling.

Professional Associations and Networking

My Itinerary Travel Agency will become a member of professional associations such as the Travel Agency Association, American Travel Agents Society, and the Florida Travel Industry Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the company’s vendor network.

Print Advertising

My Itinerary Travel Agency will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The company will also invest in professional ads to place in travel magazines and local publications.

Website/SEO Marketing

My Itinerary Travel Agency’s chief marketing officer will design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that My Itinerary Travel Agency is able to provide. The website will also list testimonials from happy customers.

The chief marketing officer will also manage My Itinerary Travel Agency’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “best travel agency” or “travel agency near me”, My Itinerary Travel Agency will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of My Itinerary Travel Agency will be on par with (and often lower than) competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for My Itinerary Travel Agency.

Operation Functions:

• Sandra Rodriguez will be the chief executive officer for the company. She will oversee the travel agents, vendor relationships, and customer relations. Sandra has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Sara Anderson – chief marketing officer who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach
• Tom Brown – accountant who will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting for the company
• Christopher Jones – lead customer support manager who will directly oversee all customer support activities

Milestones:

My Itinerary Travel Agency will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

12/1/2022 – Finalize contract to lease the office

12/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the My Itinerary Travel Agency management team

1/1/2023 – Begin build-out/renovation of the office, and purchase office equipment and supplies

1/15/2023 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan

2/15/2023 – Finalize contracts for initial vendors

3/15/2023 – My Itinerary Travel Agency officially opens for business

Financial Plan Business Plan FAQs

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for My Itinerary Travel Agency are the commissions earned as a percentage of bookings from vendors and fees charged to customers for consultations and services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a travel agency firm. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, greenhouse equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Average accommodations booked per month: 9,000
• Average commissions per month: $15,000
• Overhead costs per year: $640,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

What Is a Travel Agency Business Plan?

A travel agency business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your travel agency business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your travel agency business plan using our travel agency Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Travel Agencies?

There are a number of different kinds of travel agencies , some examples include: independent agency, host agency or franchise.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Travel Agent Business Plan?

Travel agencies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.  This is true for a travel agent business plan and a tour and travel business plan.

What are the Steps To Start a Travel Agency Business?

Starting a travel agency business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Travel Agent Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed business plan for your travel agency  that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your travel agency business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your travel agency business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Travel Agency Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your travel agency business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your travel agency business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Travel Agency Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your travel agency business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your travel agency business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful travel agency business:

• How to Start a Travel Agency Business

A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start an Online Travel Agency (OTA)

Building a new online travel agency (OTA) can be an exciting and rewarding business venture. While starting an OTA can be an attractive opportunity, it also involves significant challenges and competition.

To succeed in this industry, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research, develop a strong business plan, and focus on providing exceptional customer experiences and unique value propositions. In this article, you will find all the information you need to start an online travel agency.

Boost your travel business with the right technology

You will learn:, state of travel industry in 2024, key travel trends and technologies, customer experience with ai and ar, automation and efficiency in travel business, strategic technology investments, what is an online travel agency (ota), business benefits of starting an online travel agency, key steps to start your online travel agency, difference between an online travel agency, a channel manager and a property management system, what is a travel search engine, a travel booking engine and a metasearch engine, the role of a global distribution network (gds).

• Key statistics on online travel agencies
• Fees and commissions between an online travel agency, a channel manager and a hotel

Latest innovations in the online travel agency industry

How to personalize the booking experience for travelers when running an ota.

An online travel agency (OTA) is an online platform, developed by a travel software development company , that allows users to search , compare, and book travel services such as flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. OTAs act as intermediaries between travelers and travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotel chains, and car rental companies.

OTAs offer customers the convenience of planning and booking their trips online, often providing competitive pricing and a wide range of options to choose from. Some well-known examples of OTAs include Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda.

These platforms typically make money by charging commissions on each booking made through their websites or apps. OTAs have become increasingly popular in the travel industry, as they simplify the booking process for consumers and help travel suppliers reach a broader audience.

The market of online travel agencies offers several advantages and opportunities:

Growing market

The travel industry has been expanding rapidly in recent years, driven by increasing disposable incomes, globalization, and technological advancements. A new OTA can tap into this growth and cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers.

Niche opportunities

While there are already several large OTAs in the market, there is still ample room for new players focusing on niche markets or offering unique products and services. By targeting specific customer segments or travel experiences, a new OTA can differentiate itself from the competition and build a loyal customer base.

Convenience for customers

OTAs provide a one-stop-shop for travelers, allowing them to search, compare, and book various travel services in a single platform. By starting an OTA, you can offer customers the convenience of planning and booking their trips online, potentially attracting a significant share of the market.

Global audience

Operating an OTA allows you to reach a worldwide audience, expanding your potential customer base and increasing your opportunities for growth.

Flexibility and scalability

An OTA is a largely digital business, making it easier to adapt and scale as the market evolves. You can quickly add new products, services, or partnerships, and expand into new markets or customer segments as needed.

Low overheads

Compared to traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies, an OTA often has lower overheads, as it doesn’t require physical office space or a large staff. This can result in higher profit margins and increased financial flexibility.

Leverage technology

By starting an OTA, you can take advantage of the latest technology advancements in the travel industry, such as artificial intelligence , machine learning, and big data analytics, to enhance your product offerings, optimize your marketing efforts, and improve customer experience.

Collaboration opportunities

Starting an OTA offers the opportunity to forge strategic partnerships with various travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators. These collaborations can lead to exclusive deals, improved inventory access, and competitive pricing.

[Build Your Own OTA With Us]

Starting an online travel agency (OTA) can be a rewarding business venture, but it requires careful planning, research, and execution.

Here’s a practical guide to help you establish your own OTA:

1. Market research

Conduct thorough market research to understand the current travel trends , competition, and customer preferences in the travel industry. Identify your target audience, their needs, and the niche you want travel company to focus on (e.g., luxury travel, budget travel, adventure travel, etc.).

2. Create a business plan

Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, target market, competitive analysis, marketing strategy, operational plan, and financial projections. This document will serve as a roadmap for your business and help you secure funding if needed.

3. Legal requirements

Register your travel business, obtain the necessary licenses and permits, and comply with any specific regulations in your region. This may include registering as a travel agent or agency, obtaining insurance, and adhering to consumer protection laws.

4. Establish relationships with suppliers

Build relationships with travel suppliers and businesses such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tour operators, and other service providers. You may need to negotiate contracts, commission rates, and access to inventory.

5. Choose a technology platform

Select a suitable technology platform to power your OTA. This may involve purchasing or developing various travel agency software such as a booking engine , custom search engine , hotel inventory management system, travel management solution , integrating with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) or other supplier APIs, and setting up a user-friendly website and mobile app.

6. Design and develop your website and mobile app

Create a visually appealing, easy-to-navigate website and mobile app that showcases your travel agency business plan, products and services. Ensure the platform is mobile-friendly, responsive, and optimized for search engines (SEO).

7. Payment processing

Set up a secure payment processing system to handle online transactions. This may involve partnering with a payment gateway or merchant account provider, and ensuring compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).

8. Marketing and promotion

Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote your OTA and attract customers. This may include search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and public relations efforts.

9. Customer support

Provide excellent customer support to assist travelers with their booking needs, handle inquiries, and resolve any issues. This may involve setting up a dedicated support team, offering multi-channel support (e.g., email, phone, live chat), and providing self-help resources.

10. Monitor and analyze performance

Regularly track and analyze your OTA’s performance using analytics tools and key performance indicators (KPIs). Use this data to identify trends, optimize your marketing efforts, and improve your product offerings.

11. Continuous improvement

Continuously update your travel products, improve your travel website, and mobile app, and refine your marketing strategies based on customer feedback and industry trends.

By following these steps and remaining adaptable to the ever-changing online travel industry here, you can successfully establish and grow your online travel agency.

These travel industry related terms can be confusing. so when discussing how to set up your own OTA, it’s worth looking closely at these terms to understand the differences.

An online travel agency (OTA), channel manager, and property management system (PMS) are distinct components within the online travel business and hospitality industry, each serving a specific purpose:

Online Travel Agency (OTA)

An OTA is a web-based platform that allows customers to search, compare, and book various travel services such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. OTAs act as intermediaries between travelers and travel suppliers, providing a convenient way for consumers to plan and book their trips. Examples of popular OTAs include Expedia, Booking.com , and Agoda.

Channel Manager

A hotel channel manager is a software solution that enables hotels and accommodation providers to manage their room inventory, rates, and availability across multiple distribution channels (including OTAs, metasearch engines , and direct booking platforms) from a single, centralized interface. The primary function of a channel manager is to simplify and streamline the process of updating room information across various channels, reducing the risk of overbooking or double-booking, and ensuring accurate, real-time data synchronization.

Property Management System (PMS)

A PMS is a software application designed to help hoteliers manage the day-to-day operations of their properties. It typically includes functionalities such as reservation management, yield management , guest check-in and check-out, billing and invoicing, housekeeping management, and reporting. A PMS can also integrate with other systems, such as channel managers and point-of-sale (POS) systems, to enable seamless communication between various aspects of hotel operations.

To sum up, an OTA is a platform for travelers to search and book travel services, a channel manager is a tool for managing room inventory and rates across multiple distribution channels, and a PMS is a system for managing daily hotel operations.

These components often work together to provide a comprehensive solution for managing and optimizing a hotel’s online presence, distribution strategy, and operational efficiency.

[Read also: How to Start Real Estate Busines ]

Travel search engine, travel booking engine, and metasearch engine are distinct terms used in the travel industry, each referring to a different type of online platform or tool:

Travel Search Engine

A travel search engine is an online platform that allows users to search for travel-related information, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. These search engines typically crawl and index travel websites, aggregating relevant data for users to browse and compare. However, they may not offer the ability to make bookings directly on their platform. Instead, they often direct users to the respective travel suppliers’ websites or other booking platforms to complete the reservation process. Examples of travel search engines include Kayak and Skyscanner.

Travel Booking Engine

A travel booking engine is an online platform or software application that enables users to search, compare, and book travel services directly on the platform. It is typically integrated with various travel suppliers’ inventory systems or Global Distribution Systems (GDS) to provide real-time availability and pricing information. Travel booking engines can be found on travel suppliers’ websites (e.g., airline or hotel websites) or on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia and Booking.com .

Metasearch Engine

A metasearch engine is a specialized type of search engine that aggregates information from multiple travel booking platforms or OTAs, enabling users to compare prices and availability for flights, hotels, and other travel services in one place. Unlike a regular travel search engine, a metasearch engine focuses on collating information specifically from booking platforms and often allows users to book directly through their site or redirects them to the appropriate booking platform to complete their reservation. Examples of travel metasearch engines include Google Flights, Trivago, and TripAdvisor.

Again, let’s recap mentioned terms. A travel search engine helps users find travel-related information by crawling various sources, a travel booking engine facilitates the booking process on a platform, and a metasearch engine aggregates data from multiple booking platforms to enable users to compare prices and availability more easily.

A Global Distribution System (GDS) plays a crucial role in the travel industry as a centralized network that connects travel service providers, such as airlines, hotels, and car rental companies, with travel agencies and consumers. It facilitates real-time inventory management, pricing, and booking of travel services, making the process more efficient and streamlined for all parties involved.

The key roles of a Global Distribution System include:

Inventory management

GDSs store and manage inventory data from various travel service providers, including seat availability on flights, room availability in hotels, and available rental cars. This centralized inventory management enables service providers to update their availability and pricing information in real time, ensuring accurate data for their travel agents, agencies and customers.

Distribution

GDSs act as intermediaries between travel service providers and travel agencies (both online and offline), allowing the agencies to access and book inventory from multiple providers through a single, consolidated platform. This broadens the reach of service providers and simplifies the booking process for travel agencies.

Booking and reservation

GDSs enable travel agencies and consumers to search, compare, and book travel services seamlessly. They provide real-time information on pricing, availability, and booking conditions, allowing users to make informed decisions and complete reservations efficiently.

Marketing and sales

GDSs offer marketing and sales opportunities for travel service providers, as they can promote their services to a vast network of travel agencies and consumers. They can also implement targeted marketing campaigns and offer special deals or promotions to increase their visibility and sales.

Reporting and data analysis

GDSs provide valuable data and insights on booking trends, customer preferences, and market dynamics. This information helps travel service providers and agencies make data-driven decisions to optimize their offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing efforts.

Some of the major Global Distribution Systems in the market include Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport (Galileo and Worldspan). By connecting travel service providers with travel agencies and consumers, GDSs play an essential role in streamlining the booking process, enhancing the visibility of the host agencies and travel services, and improving the overall efficiency of the travel industry.

Key statistics on Online Travel Agencies

Some key statistics that illustrate the scale and impact of OTAs in the travel industry:

Market size

The global online travel market was valued at around USD 765.34 billion in 2019 and was expected to reach approximately USD 983.39 billion by 2023, according to a report by Statista.

Market share

OTAs account for a significant portion of travel bookings. In the hotel industry, for instance, OTAs were responsible for around 39% of total room bookings in the United States in 2019, as reported by Phocuswright.

Key players

The OTA market is dominated by two major players, Expedia Group (which owns brands such as Expedia, Hotels.com , and Vrbo) and Booking Holdings (which owns brands like Booking.com , Priceline, and Agoda). Combined, these two companies accounted for approximately 70% of the U.S. OTA market share in 2019, according to Phocuswright.

Mobile bookings

Mobile devices have become an increasingly important channel for travel bookings. In 2019, around 38% of OTA bookings were made through mobile devices, as reported by eMarketer. This trend is expected to continue as more consumers adopt smartphones and mobile booking apps.

Growth drivers

Some of the key factors driving the growth of the OTA market include increasing internet penetration, rising disposable incomes, and a growing preference among consumers for online booking platforms due to their convenience, pricing transparency, and extensive range of options.

Customer demographics

Millennials and Gen Z travelers are more likely to use OTAs for travel planning and booking, as they tend to be more tech-savvy and value the convenience, choice, and comparison capabilities offered by these platforms.

Fees and comissions between an online travel agency, a channel manager and a hotel

The fees and commissions in the travel industry are typically split among the involved parties, including online travel agencies (OTAs), channel managers, and hotels. Here’s a general overview of how fees and commissions may be distributed:

Online Travel Agency (OTA) commissions

OTAs earn revenue by charging a commission on each booking made through their platform. The commission rate can vary depending on the OTA, the market, and the negotiated terms between the OTA and the hotel. Generally, OTA commission rates range between 15% and 25% of the total booking value. This commission is paid by the hotel to the OTA for facilitating the booking and providing access to their customer base.

Channel manager fees

Channel managers usually charge a monthly subscription fee or a per-booking fee for their services. The fees can vary depending on the channel manager, the number of channels being managed, and the level of service required. These fees are paid by the hotel directly to the channel manager for providing the software and services necessary to manage their inventory and rates across multiple distribution channels.

Hotel revenue

Hotels earn revenue from the bookings made through OTAs, minus the OTA commission and any channel manager fees. The net revenue for the hotel depends on factors such as their room rates, occupancy levels, and the efficiency of their revenue management strategies.

[Read also: Guide to Hotel Revenue Management: Best Strategies and Tips ]

How to avoid an overbooking as an online travel agency

As an online travel agency (OTA), avoiding overbooking is crucial for ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining a good reputation.

Here are some strategies to prevent overbooking:

1. Real-time inventory updates

Make sure your platform is integrated with hotels’ property management systems (PMS) or channel managers to receive real-time inventory updates. This ensures that your OTA displays accurate room availability information, minimizing the risk of overbooking.

2. API integration

Establish a robust API connection with hotels’ PMS or channel managers to facilitate seamless data exchange and real-time synchronization of room availability, rates, and other relevant information.

3. Set booking cutoffs

Collaborate with hotels to establish booking cutoffs, such as a certain number of hours before check-in, to minimize the risk of last-minute overbookings that may not be communicated to the hotel in time.

4. Monitor booking trends

Regularly analyze your OTA’s booking data to identify patterns that could lead to overbooking, such as high demand for specific dates or hotel properties. Use this information to adjust inventory allocations and prevent potential overbooking issues.

5. Use a centralized reservation system

Encourage your hotel partners to use a centralized reservation system or a channel manager, which can help manage inventory across all distribution channels more effectively and reduce the risk of overbooking.

5. Overbooking management policies

Develop clear overbooking management policies and procedures in collaboration with your host agency and hotel partners. This may include providing alternative accommodation, compensating the affected guest, or offering incentives for voluntary changes.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of overbooking as an OTA and provide a better experience for your customers. It’s essential to continuously monitor your booking processes and maintain strong relationships with your hotel partners to ensure a seamless and efficient booking experience for your customers.

The Online Travel Agency (OTA) industry has experienced several innovations in recent years. These advancements aim to enhance user experiences, streamline processes, and stay competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

Some of the latest innovations in the OTA industry include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

OTAs are leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms to provide personalized travel recommendations, enhance customer service with chatbots, and optimize pricing strategies based on customer behavior and market trends.

Mobile-first strategies

As more travelers use smartphones to research and book trips, OTAs are focusing on mobile-first strategies, developing responsive websites, and user-friendly mobile apps. They also utilize mobile-specific features, such as push notifications, to engage with customers and provide real-time updates on bookings.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

OTAs are exploring AR and VR technologies to create immersive experiences for customers, allowing them to virtually explore hotels, attractions, and destinations before booking. This can help users make more informed decisions and enhance the overall booking experience.

Blockchain technology

Some OTAs are exploring the potential of blockchain technology for secure, transparent, and efficient transactions. This technology could enable decentralized booking systems, streamline payment processing, and enhance loyalty programs.

Voice search and booking

With the increasing popularity of voice-activated devices, OTAs are developing voice search and booking capabilities to cater to this growing market segment, making it more convenient for users to search for and book travel services using voice commands.

Sustainable and responsible travel options

As the demand for sustainable and responsible travel options grows, OTAs are integrating eco-friendly accommodations and activities into their platforms, allowing users to make more environmentally conscious choices when planning their trips.

Enhanced customer service

OTAs are utilizing AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to provide instant customer support, address common queries, and assist with bookings. This enables OTAs to provide 24/7 support without significantly increasing operational costs.

Dynamic packaging

OTAs are offering dynamic packaging, which allows customers to create customized travel packages by bundling flights, hotels, car rentals, and other services. This approach provides more flexibility and personalization for users and can increase customer satisfaction.

These innovations are continually evolving as new technologies and market trends emerge.

[Read also: Digital transformation in the travel industry ]

Personalizing the booking experience for travelers can lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and conversions. By implementing these personalization strategies, you can create a more engaging and customized booking experience for travelers, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and conversions:

Data collection and analysis

Collect and analyze data on traveler behavior, preferences, and booking history. This can help you understand their needs, interests, and patterns, enabling you to tailor your offerings accordingly.

Personalized recommendations

Use the collected data to provide personalized travel recommendations , such as hotels, destinations, or activities that align with the traveler’s preferences and interests. Machine learning algorithms can further enhance the accuracy of these recommendations.

Tailored offers and promotions

Send targeted offers and promotions based on the traveler’s booking history, preferences, and search patterns. These could include discounts, upgrades, or special packages that cater to their specific interests.

Customized communication

Personalize your communication with travelers by addressing them by name, acknowledging their previous bookings, and offering relevant content based on their preferences. Ensure that the communication is consistent across all channels, including email, social media, and mobile app notifications.

Allow travelers to create customized travel packages by bundling flights, accommodations, car rentals, and activities based on their preferences. This flexibility can enhance their booking experience and lead to higher customer satisfaction.

Personalized user interface

Personalize the user interface on your website or app to display relevant content, offers, and recommendations based on the traveler’s preferences and browsing history. This can make the booking process more efficient and engaging.

Localization

Adapt your website or app to cater to travelers from different regions by offering language options, displaying local currency, and providing region-specific content and recommendations.

Chatbots and virtual assistants

Implement AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to provide instant, personalized support to travelers. These tools can answer frequently asked questions, help with booking processes, and offer recommendations based on the traveler’s preferences.

Post-booking personalization

Continue personalization efforts after the booking is complete by providing tailored pre-trip information, such as destination guides, travel tips, and itinerary suggestions based on the traveler’s interests.

Collect feedback

Encourage travelers to provide feedback on their booking experience and preferences. Use this feedback to further refine your personalization efforts and enhance the booking experience for future travelers.

Final words

Starting an online travel agency can be a challenging but rewarding venture. By following these practical steps and leveraging the latest technology and industry trends, you can create a successful business that offers personalized and convenient travel experiences to your customers.

Remember to prioritize customer service, stay up-to-date with industry developments, and continuously innovate to stay competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

With determination, hard work, and a commitment to excellence, you can turn your dream of starting your own travel business as an online travel agency into a reality.

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Stratoflow was a great partner, challenging as well as supporting our customer projects for the best outcome. They have a great pool of talent within the business - all very capability technologists, as well as being business-savvy and suitable for consultancy engagements.

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Managing Consultant, CG Consultancy (UK) Limited

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Vice Chairman, Supervisory Board

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CEO at Stratoflow

10 Steps to Starting a Travel Agency from Home

If you're thinking of starting a travel agency from home, you're in luck. The cost to become a travel agent is relatively low and there are plenty of opportunities for someone with the passion to sell travel. Not only that, but starting a travel agency from home is becoming the most popular route to become a travel agent .

"Home-based independent advisors continue to dominate the travel agency landscape, accounting for 72% of travel advisors." -Phocuswright

According to Phocuswright's US Travel Agency Landscape 2023 , "Home-based independent advisors continue to dominate the travel agency landscape, accounting for 72% of travel advisors."

Want to throw your hat into the ring and start your own travel agency?

Starting any business is no walk in a park, but it certainly helps if you have someone to advise you and lay out a path. We're here to help support you and answer your questions as you start out on your new entrepreneurial journey!

PS: If you can't answer the question ' what do travel agents do ', let's have you read up on that first before you go all in on starting your own travel agency. 🤗

10 Steps to Starting Your Travel Agency From Home

Here's a summary of the steps to start your travel agency from home. If you've already completed some of the steps, you can click on the link to shortcut which step is best for you!

• Find your travel agency niche: Finding a travel agency niche is a great way to hone in on what about travel you're most passionate about. If you develop a niche, you'll be building your travel agency business on a strong foundation of your strengths, interests, and personal networks. Not only that, it will help you give direction as you start (and grow) your agency!
• Choose your travel agency name: This is often a step advisors struggle with, but don't skip it! Travel vendors need a travel agency name for their records. Make sure you have one ready so you can start selling travel.
• Choose a Travel Agency Business Structure: Most new-to-industry advisors will be choosing between a sole proprietorship or a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). It's a matter of balancing host requirements (if you go with one), business protections, your agency model, and your budget.
• Create a Travel Agency Business Plan: A travel agency business plan is a document that will help you cat herd all your amazing ideas for your business. It helps you define your mission and goals, helping you think through the process on how to get there. Best yet? We have a free 15-page travel agency business plan template you can use!
• Register Your Travel Agency with the State + Feds : This is a critical step so to legitimize your travel agency. You can register your LLC through the Small Business Administration (SBA) resource to find the steps to get registered with your specific state. This will enable you to do other fun steps like starting a business bank account.
• Get an FEIN : This is optional but recommended, here's why: It's free to get an FEIN, takes just a few minutes and if you move to a business structure that requires an FEIN in the future it will save you a few steps!
• Set Up Your Travel Agency Financials : Separating your business bank account from your personal account is required if you set up an LLC. But frankly, we recommend setting up business financials regardless of your agency model.
• Choose Between a Host Agency, Travel Franchise, or Your Own Accreditation: There are a lot of choices in which direction to go with your travel agency. Do you have your own vendor relationships and want to get your own travel accreditation? Do you want to partner with a host agency under your own brand so you take advantage of their aggregate sales volume? Do you want a turnkey agency option with a franchise? This will help you choose.
• Check Out Host Agency Reviews' Resources Page : Our resources page gives you tips on how to optimize our site to help start your travel agency from home.
• Sign Up for 7 Day Setup Accelerator Course: Within each of these steps, there are many many many other steps to starting a travel agency from home. (Yes, just like nesting dolls.) Our course gives you the tools and knowledge you need to go from the seed of an idea to hanging the shingle out for your travel agency!
• Bonus: Read up on what you can expect in terms of income potential as well as time and financial investment.

I know. It can be totally overwhelming. But if you're starting a travel agency from home, these steps will help prepare you to feel 10,000% (no those extra zeros are NOT typos!) more confident. What are the preliminary steps you need to take when starting a travel agency? Funny you should ask . . .

Here are the steps to take to start your travel agency from home:

1. Find a Travel Agency Niche

A niche is your friend. When you start your home-based travel agency, a niche will help you establish your brand, create your travel agency name, and allow you to focus your energies. Starting a travel agency without a niche is like traveling without a compass (or, let's be honest, a smartphone). Are you going to be focusing on a destination? Maybe you'll be like Andres Zuleta, who specializes in Japan tours:

Or maybe you'll focus on a type of travel, like Deb Fogarty, who specializes in cruising:

Or maybe you're like Will Medina and have a love for destination weddings and honeymoons:

Or maybe you're more attracted to the corporate world and aim to book travel for corporations like Karen Hurlbut:

Whatever your niche, it's the first problem to solve when you're starting your travel agency! We have a free brainstorming exercise to help you find niches that you're passionate about.

Try out our free brainstorming exercise on how to develop your niche here !

2. Choose Your Travel Agency's Name

Vendors will need a travel agency name for their records so have one ready before you start selling travel.

Whether you go with a host agency or choose to go independent, you're going to need a name for our agency. The vendors (hotels, cruise lines, airlines, etc) will need a travel agency name for their records so have one ready before you can start selling travel. Having a niche already picked out can help you as you decide on your travel agency's name .

Starting your travel agency (from home or otherwise) is a lot of work. The last thing you want as your travel agency opens its doors is a letter saying you've infringed on someone else's trademark! We help you through the things you need to consider when choosing a name for your agency. Are their any competitor's with similar names that will make it harder for you to pull up at the top of the search engines? Are the URLs available? Are their any copyrights? Is it too long to neatly fit on marketing materials? We go through this and a whole lot more, so dig in!

Here's the things to consider when choosing your travel agency's name!

3. Choose a Travel Agency Business Structure

You can change your business structure as your needs evolve.

A base step in starting your travel agency from home is deciding on a business structure. There's a lot that goes into what is the best fit for you. Do you have personal assets like a house or car that you want to make sure are protected? How much money do you want to spend?

We help you understand the different business structure options for your new travel agency : Sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, S Corp.

As you're starting your travel agency, you may feel like the low cost of a sole proprietor makes the most sense for you. It's important to know that you can change your business structure as your needs evolve.

As your business grows and you're making more bookings (which exposes you to more liability), you can always move to a structure that gives you more personal liability protection, like the LLC. While it's more expensive, and may not be feasible for everyone as they're starting their travel agency, the protection it offers to your personal assets is incredibly important as your business grows.

And what the heck is an S Corp anyhow? Don't worry, we'll give you the scoop and let you know when that should be a consideration for you.

4. Create Your Travel Agency Business Plan

Next step in starting your travel agency? A business plan!

While a travel agency business plan isn't technically required to start an agency, it is something I highly recommend. I didn't write a business plan when I started this site but I also knew online marketing, SEO, and the travel industry front and back. I also had the industry connections to make it work. Most people starting a travel agency from home either don't have experience in starting a company or they don't have experience in travel. This is where a business plan can help.

What a business plan does for you is it forces you to think through each different area of your business and come up with a plan. Will you stick to that plan 100%? Definitely not. But it gives you something to refer back to and helps you organize your thoughts. Plan to take a chunk of time to work on it as it's not something you want to do willy-nilly.

Not only that, but we made it really easy with our free 15-page travel agency business plan ! All you need to do is download our template and adapt it to your agency.

While I didn't write a business plan for Host Agency Reviews, I did write a VERY detailed travel agency business plan for you. :) It's completely filled out with a fictitious travel agency. That's helpful because you can use some of the data and ideas in there on your travel agency's business plan.

Here's a peek of the business plan. Just to note, this version is not editable! To get the editable version, download the travel agency business plan template (an editable version of the one below).

That was good stuff, right? So let's move on to some more logistics, getting your government paperwork in place.

5. Register Your Travel Agency with the State ... and Feds!

You're doing great!

Starting a travel agency from home isn't as tough as you thought, is it? When you have a road map, it's easier to navigate the start-up process.

Registering with the State

Ok, now that you've:

• nailed down your niche,
• come up with your name,
• and settled on a business structure.

The next step is letting the state government know you've got a company. The Small Business Administration (SBA) website shows   how to register your company's name by state . If you are an LLC, the SBA also has a state-by-state guide on how to register your LLC .

A word of warning: When doing a DBA, your business, even though they have different names, are still legally considered the same entity.

Registering your company with the state is an important step because you will need this proof to open a business bank account and other random things (running FB business ads, getting a loan) as your business grows. Do yourself a favor and when those certificates come in, keep them handy in a file for your company's legal documents.

When you start your travel agency, you may have registered it as Margarita Travel. But over time, that might change.

Let's say you fell into becoming the local destination wedding expert that everyone turned to. Margarita Travel works, but you want to have a more romantic name for those clients and different branding. So you create a new brand, Beach Romance , that specializes in destination weddings.

Do you need to let the state know about this new company, even though it's really your same company? Yuppers.

You'll need to file a DBA with the state. DBA is an acronym for "Doing Business As." It's also sometimes referred to as a fictitious name, trade name, or assumed name.

Your DBA is essentially saying, 'My formal company is Margarita Travel, but I also go by Beach Romance.'

To help you get a feel for the pros/cons of a dual-brand, listen to Andrey Zakahrenko's story of how his agency evolved into two brands: (This was our first ever podcast so please forgive the horrible sound quality!)

The one thing to know about DBAs is that they don't create a separate entity. DBAs just allows you to legally operate under different names.

A word of warning: When doing a DBA, your businesses, even though they have different names, are still legally considered the same entity. That means if someone sues Beach Romance for a honeymoon gone wrong, Margarita Travel is also being sued since it's the same company.

Registering with the Financial Crimes enforcement network

And can we talk about the Feds for a moment? They're doing their part to cut down on money laundering. (Score!) And... since money laundering happens through businesses, you're going to have to do a little paperwork with them. (Boo!)

You'll fill out the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) form to make sure you're on the up and up. :)

Don't worry, it's not too painful despite the fact the they name of the government org in charge—Financial Crimes Enforcement Network—sounds like they're going to send a SWAT team into your home at any moment.

6. Get an FEIN (Optional, but Recommended)

A Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) is like a social security number for your company. It's a number to identify your business and is sometimes referred to as an EIN.

Technically, you do not need an FEIN if you're a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC with no employees since you can use your social security number to file taxes.

However, I personally prefer not to give out my social security number if I don't have to. :) I also like to get my pencils lined up from the get-go.

It's free to get an FEIN and takes just a few minutes. A huge plus in getting one right off the bat when starting a travel agency is that if you move to a business structure that requires an FEIN, you won't have to worry about changing out your SS# for an FEIN on legal documents, bank accounts, etc.

Also, make sure to check in with your tax professional when it's tax filing time—for certain business structures, you may still file under your SS# even though you have an FEIN.

Confusing, I know. That's why you go to the professionals! 😊

7. Set Up Your Travel Agency Financials  

Like the FEIN, when you're starting a travel agency, you don't need a separate business bank account or credit card if you're a sole proprietor, but you'll have wished you'd had set one up come tax time!

Separating your personal bank account from the business account from the start makes accounting easier and will help you keep track of business expense write-offs.

Wondering what travel expenses you can write off as a travel advisor ? We've got a resource for that too. :)

Important to note: If you choose a business structure that offers personal liability protection, like an LLC, you need to keep your business and personal money separate. If you are mixing finances and paying personal bills out of your business account, or vice versa, that opens you up to personal liability.

The argument is that, yes, when you started your travel agency you chose an LLC structure, which protects your personal assets. BUT, clearly, the business and the owner are not separate entities because the owner is making business payments out of their personal bank account (or vice versa). And if you're one and the same, then your personal assets are also the business's assets.

There's a lot to consider when it comes to travel agency financials and getting the foundations laid.

Don't worry, we walk you through all things having to do with your travel agency's financials :

• what to consider when choosing your bank,
• the documents you need to have ready for the bank,
• what business credit cards are best,
• the most common software travel agencies use for their bookkeeping, and
• how to find a bookkeeper for your agency

8. Decide if a Host Agency Is Right for You

We mentioned host agencies at the very beginning of the article. And maybe you noticed the name of our site. We're big fans of host agencies for people starting a travel agency . . .but it's not for every agency out there.

That said, our travel advisor research reports continually show that new advisors almost always choose the host agency route.

Your next step is going to take a lot of research. You need to decide if you want to go with a host agency, franchise, or go independent.

Questions you might have:

• How do you know if you should go with a host agency, travel agency franchise , or if you should be independent and get your own accreditation ?
• How do you decide which travel consortium to join if you are independent?
• How do you choose a host agency when there are 200+ listed on the site ?

Don't you worry, little bird, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but we have answers to all these questions. :)

To start, check out our article, " The Top 10 Benefits of Using a Host Agency . " If you read that and decide a host agency is a good fit for you, you'll move on to our article on choosing a host agency and take a look at our best host agencies of 2024 .

Oh, and we've got a great tool for you to help narrow down your list of host agencies and/or travel franchises in our choosing a host agency article. It's a nifty spreadsheet to help you narrow down your top host agency picks ! 😊

9. Read our Home-Based Travel Agent Resources Page  

We put together a page with loads of links so you don't have to scour the web. Here she be, the Home-Based Travel Agent Resources page. 😊

Not only that, connecting with host agencies, travel franchises and consortia couldn't be easier! You can go directly to a host's profile to write them via Host Agency Reviews' Q&A feature. The beauty of this is that tons of agents will also get to learn from your question too!

10. Sign up for HAR's 7 Day Setup Accelerator Course

Phew. That was list was a little overwhelming, wasn't it?

The fact is that there's a lot of groundwork that needs to take place in order to start a travel agency.  Wouldn't it be nice if someone with tons of experience who's helped over 10,000 agency get started could walk you through the setup?

We've got an option for that too! It's called our 7 Day Setup Accelerator course .

But don't take our word for it. Hear from some of our students on the value of bite-sized instructional videos, a supportive community, and access to the HAR team:

The course is written and taught by HAR Founder, Steph Lee, and professional Educator, Bridget Lee. It includes nine chapters with 70+ instructional videos, course quizzes, peer accountability, and monthly meet-ups with HAR members and industry experts. Check out HAR's 7DS Accelerator course below!!

As you can see, there are lots of things to do as you start a travel agency from home. But we're here to offer you a TON of resources and support.

So take a deep breath and we'll do it step-by-step together!

Once you start your travel agency from home, you'll have lots of other things that will demand your attention so laying the proper groundwork as soon as you can is smart business. 

Starting a Travel Agency from Home: What to Expect Time-Wise

In general, it will take a few years to get your agency off the ground.  This is the case with nearly all entrepreneurial endeavors.

Our travel advisor research reports continually show that it typically takes about 3 years to really start generating a sustainable income.

Here's why it can take time to see the cash flow when you starting a travel agency:

• It takes a while to build a client base and develop your brand
• Even when you do make your first bookings, you're not paid commission until after your client completes their travel (or after final payment for some vendors). So, if you make 7 bookings in January but the clients aren't traveling until November, you can see how your first-year money might be tight.
• Travel is something most people only do 1-2 times a year. Even with referrals and repeat clients, it can take a lot longer to build a steady business compared to a new restaurant or other service industries. 

Starting a Travel Agency from Home: What to Expect Money-Wise

And money. You probably want to know what you can expect when it comes to money and starting that travel agency from home, huh?! 😊

I hate to admit it but there is no one set answer. It depends on soooo many factors. The good news is that we were so curious to answer this question that we asked a few hundred new travel agents about their income in the first years of starting a travel agency.

Here's some hard data on travel agent income and travel agency start up costs in the first 5 years of business!

Even more travel agent income data

Want to dig into travel agent income data even more? Here's a great reading list that will give you an idea of what you might expect to earn when starting a travel agency: 

There's a lot of things to look forward to when it comes to a travel agent career . Check out our (free) annual event, Host Week , to get a flavor of what you can expect once you decide to start a travel agency.

The travel industry opens possibilities of traveling to beautiful places to help you do your job better. You'll get to attend things like FAM trips , ship inspections and go on site inspections. When you sell enough, you'll have access to travel agent rates .

All that said, it's important to understand that you still have to (*ahem*) work if you're a travel advisor- --you just get to have a lot more fun doing it than most people (yay)! :)

Questions? Ask Away.

I grew up in the travel industry and have I've worked with thousands of agents looking to start a travel agency. It's totally my jam. And it's not just my jam.

The entire HAR team is here to help you start (and grow) a successful travel agency. Ask us questions in the comments, drop us a line via email, or reach out to us on social. We love helping bring new people into our amazing industry! 🤗

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in July 2021. We updated this resource and republished it on publish date above.

About the author

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Key Steps to Focus on When Building an Online Travel Agency

Online travel agencies (OTAs) spearhead the digital transformation in travel in recent years. They firmly occupy the majority share of the modern digital travel market (over 39 % according to Phocuswright). They’ve earned it by offering a great combination of rich travel service supply and the ‘one-stop-shop’ booking experience delivered via high-end web portals and mobile applications.

The growing demand for OTA services has naturally made this market a tempting target for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups. However, every new business has to face severe competition that first of all comes from the big brands. The likes of Booking Holdings or Expedia are dominating entire markets. For example, in the USA these two companies hold a commanding market share of 92% . Peer startups are also putting pressure, with new OTA projects popping up every day in different parts of the world. So, how does one stand out and gain ground in this very promising but equally challenging market?

Let’s try to answer this question together. In this article, we outlined the key steps one should focus on when starting a brand new OTA business. It also contains our ideas and recommendations on better ways to handle each step based on years of experience supplying technology solutions for travel startups, including new OTA businesses.

Don’t know where to start with your OTA technology? We are here to help!

Business Development Expert

Step 1. Finding your market

Just as any journey starts with choosing your destination, a new OTA usually begins with opting the market to operate on. At this stage, it is necessary to run a careful analysis and build an all-round understanding of your market and potential clients. It is important to consider various aspects, such as:

• Geographic focus (worldwide, regional, nationwide, etc.);
• Target audience and its preferences;
• Types of travel products to sell (hotels, flights, packages or other), etc.

Finding niche markets is generally a working approach with the account of its success rate and the current state of affairs in the OTA market. First of all, it offers an adequate response to the competition forced upon startups by bigger OTAs. Niche businesses can offer unique experiences that are tailored to the needs and expectations of specific limited customer groups. Secondly, it is a reasonable way to avoid overspending on marketing while securing good conversion rates thanks to more targeted outreach.

However, the mere choice of your niche can already become quite a challenge in itself. There are just so many options to consider! It makes good sense, in this case, to narrow down your list of options by leaving just the most promising at the moment and ideally in the foreseeable future. Here is a list of ‘hottest’ travel niches as of 2023 according to trustworthy travel industry sources:

Nomadic travel

COVID-19 made it clear for the whole world – remote work works! Employees are more and more inclined to escape offices and work from anywhere around the world. This trend skyrocketed during the pandemic and is not likely to fade away in the coming future. It offers amazing opportunities for creation and marketing of targeted travel products.

Multi-generational escapes

The social isolation enforced by governments worldwide separated family members from one another for long spans of time. Now as the borders are open, the demand for vacations involving multiple generations of the same family is quite likely to boom.

Social impact travel

Sustainable tourism is also a steadily growing trend in travel. It focuses on travel experiences involving activities that serve various social causes. Tourists are getting increasingly more concerned about how their journeys can be beneficial to local communities in post-pandemic times.

Motorhome travel

Also known as campervan tourism, RV or mobile home travel, etc. Thousands of people will certainly explore this type of travel in 2023. A large portion of them – for the first time. It delivers a truly unique combination of travelling freedom and social distancing.

Virtual reality (VR) tourism

With the IT industry booming worldwide, this is an interesting niche to explore. VR technology is a great way to offer an immersive experience of vacations to remote places of the world without leaving your own country.

Step 2. Travel accreditation

Accreditation is a unique number assigned to travel professionals in recognition of business trustworthiness. It is of major importance for making an OTA project successful. First of all, it permits you to book travel, receive commissions, and – with some accreditations – issue airline tickets with the most established travel suppliers. Secondly, it is a powerful tool for building trust and credibility in the travel market.

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

IATA identification number is worldwide recognition of your expert status in travel. It also brings lots of other benefits, such as access to the best prices from around 250 airlines and a unified interface for billing and payment transactions with suppliers.

With all the perks, no wonder it is in the highest demand and really hard to get. It normally takes months of expectation prior to getting your approval. But before that, you need to demonstrate considerable experience in travel, obtain a business license and also fulfill a set of other important criteria. All these complex requirements naturally make IATA a hard target for new businesses. But the benefits it brings definitely make it worth all the effort.

Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)

ARC is a US-only accreditation for travel agencies. Similar to IATA, it offers access to over 200 network operators and tools, as well as programs for credit card processing and anti-fraud services. There are three levels of accreditation offered by ARC for various purposes. The traditional option does not require any prior experience in this field. However, there is the ARC Specialist exam that needs to be passed by one of the employees. It increases the costs and the waiting time to get your ID.

The high filing price combined with annual fees, as well as the strict application process, including interviews with the agency owners again really can create overwhelming obstacles for new OTAs. But just like IATA it opens up great prospects and can serve as a source of trust and credibility for your business on the market.

Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration (TRUE)

TRUE accreditation is a great option for businesses operating in the travel agent niche. There are two levels of accreditation available: travel agency accreditation (which covers up to 5 travel agents) or host agency accreditation (accommodates up to 25 agents). It is mainly focused on the U.S. market. However, it recently shifted its focus and is now committed to operate globally.

The main advantage of TRUE number is the possibility to closely work with smaller boutique tour operators that may not be the target audience for other prominent organizations offering accreditation in travel. Also, TRUE allows agents to interact with suppliers using net rates as an alternative to more common commission-based arrangements.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

This accreditation is relevant only for agencies that plan to sell cruises. As of 2022, it has been received by over 20,000 entities globally. It is the gateway to getting recognized by over 95 percent of the global cruise market. As soon as you’ve made up your mind to distribute cruise content, it is definitely worth applying for your CLIA ID.

CLIA membership requirements are not so strict. Basic membership won’t require any significant experience from you or an entrance fee (it can be required only if you go for the premium option).

Is accreditation a “must-have” for OTAs?

It definitely is if you wish to cooperate with a GDS for flight content. Sabre or Amadeus will for sure demand an IATA ID from you. In other cases, an accreditation would still be great, but not obligatory to own.

When it comes to flights, startup OTAs often choose flight consolidators initially. These are companies like TravelFusion , Mystifly , XML.Agency , PKFARE or others. Their business is based on buying large chunks of tickets from airlines at discounted (or ‘net’) rates and then reselling them to travel agencies. The end price for the latter is good enough to apply their own markups on top and still offer tickets to travelers at prices lower than the general market. The margins that agents earn on consolidator rates are usually lower compared to what they might count on with an IATA ID. But the time-to-market is much faster and there is no need to spend heavily on getting your accreditation in place.

Joining a host agency is another working option to enter OTA business without accreditation. It means you will operate under the umbrella of a travel company that already holds its own IATA ID. This is a relatively quick and convenient way to enjoy the key benefits accreditation has to offer, such as access to GDSs and lucrative airline rates. However, you will also need to comply with a certain set of qualification requirements (they may differ depending on the host) and pay fees for the host service.

Step 3. Financial planning

It is a common story for startup OTAs to have limited initial budgets. That is why it is crucial for them to invest carefully to make sure they get the most out of every penny. On the other hand, it is also extremely important to plan and monitor your revenues properly so you could manage and distribute available budgets with utmost productivity.

A meticulous and conscious approach at every project stage is the only way to handle this challenge successfully. With that said, there are certain aspects of business and techniques that are worth specific attention as they’ll benefit your project the most in terms of adequate budgeting.

Discovery phase

Preparation and planning is everything. This is exactly why a properly conducted discovery phase should be an obligatory step in your startup building process. It is composed of a series of activities to build a complete project vision, define the full development scope and, most importantly, draw up a well-balanced development budget. A discovery phase will help you to develop all-encompassing project estimates by approaching your project from both the business and technical perspectives – by far the only correct way to ensure reasonable financial planning.

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Marketing expense management

Marketing is usually the heaviest expense item that often reaches 50% of the total project cost. It is vital to spend marketing budgets wisely – in a way that would secure a solid initial base of loyal customers.

Investing your budget in merely driving the traffic to your portal from all possible sources will almost certainly lead to failure. It would be much smarter to develop a sound customer retention strategy before launching any traffic generation campaigns. Not only will this approach secure higher conversion rates, but it can also reduce marketing expenses and release extra funds to spend on better software or customer service.

For example, it is possible to achieve good results with loyalty programs based on bonus points that can partially or fully cover the cost of a travel service. This is a crucial element for smaller businesses nowadays. It is very hard to compete with larger OTAs today without it. These programs can also be extended with volume discounts (for example, “7=6” on hotels), promocode distribution campaigns, etc. All these features can get almost fully automated, which means minimum manual effort from OTA staff.

Increased attention to non-air sales

85 % of gross OTA sales derive from air tickets while hotels represent only 14 percent, says the survey performed by Hermes Management Consulting company. That said, a more detailed consideration shows that a gross margin of hotel sales is nearly twice the amount of air sales margin – 12% against 6%. So, non-air sales represent a bigger growth opportunity for OTAs.

Step 4. Technological strategy

The entire OTA business concept heavily relies on modern online technology. It takes a complex technical infrastructure to launch an OTA. First of all, there has to be a high-performing and reliable booking engine at the core that would cover your booking flows for travel products – hotels, flights, activities, car rental services or any other you might want to sell. Next, it also needs to be extended with a number of important functional blocks, such as reservation management modules, an inventory system, business rules engine for markups and commissions, a structured API for productive data exchange via the B2C or B2B channel – and many more.

But the technical platform alone, however sophisticated, is not a 100% guarantee of success. Any implementation should be based on a reasonable strategy that can pave a much safer way towards a prosperous booking portal. Here’s a few practical strategic hints that can benefit the tech side of your OTA.

Take your time before you decide – custom or turnkey

This is one of the key dilemmas to go through before any implementation takes place. A bad decision here usually causes lots of trouble. There are different reasons why people choose wrong – over-focus on a particular option, bad planning, poor work on requirements… But haste is by far the most frequent reason of them all.

Take a few minutes to read this article from our blog for valuable guidelines that can help you make the right decision.

Start with an MVP

It is common practice for startups to first enter the market with a Minimum Viable Product, or MVP. It stands for a software version that offers just enough features for use by early customers who can provide valuable feedback for future product development. This technique is created to avoid excessive initial efforts. It allows to make sure that your core OTA concept really works before any full-scale development is launched.

Give more focus to mobile solutions

According to Research and Markets , the mobile travel booking market is expected to grow at an average rate of 12.2% between 2021 and 2029. This is higher compared to the CAGR of 10% that is forecast for the global OTA market until 2025. Markets like North America demonstrate the share of mobile bookings as high as 40% from the overall online market, with a further growth dynamic. All these figures suggest paying specific attention to the mobile UI of your portal. It is possible to start with a mobile web version or an adaptive layout first to keep initial efforts to a minimum. Native Android and IOS apps can be released at later stages. Anyways, mobile interfaces should be kept in order at all times.

*Source: Statista 2021

Step 5. Third-party integrations

No OTA website can operate as a fully closed independent system. Every modern online booking portal requires a number of integrations with external systems to perform its basic tourines – display travel product offers, process bookings, accept payments, generate performance for the management, etc.

Travel suppliers

An overwhelming majority of modern OTAs rely on 3rd-party suppliers for travel data. This group of entities combines various types of travel distribution platforms – GDSs, bedbanks, flight consolidators, other OTAs, etc. They are convenient to work with because they deliver content and confirm bookings almost fully automatically via specialized application programming interfaces (APIs). There is no need for lots of manual work as in the case with own travel inventory.

Many OTAs have turned to use travel API aggregators quite extensively in recent years. This is a great opportunity to cut down drastically on your API integration efforts by unifying multiple travel suppliers under a common product-based API. For example, a single Hotel API integration can put you through to Hotelbeds, Ratehawk, Webbeds and many other suppliers all at once in real-time. This is something really worth exploring while planning integration efforts for your OTA.

Payment gateways

Online payment options is what really wrap up the one-stop-shop experience that is so highly valued in OTAs. The market of payment gateways is so rich that it is really easy to get lost in it. Hope these few guidelines will help narrow down your search:

• Look for the list of gateways operating in your market . Your customers will appreciate a wider range of payment options that are popular in their countries. Of course, it is possible to get by with gateways like PayPal and Stripe that work worldwide. But these are almost certain to charge higher transaction fees compared to local vendors.
• Choose the most secure payment solutions . Opt for payment solutions offering strong fraud detection mechanisms and built-in security techniques – tokenization, 2FA, etc
• Check supported currencies . Be sure that your gateway can fully support the currencies you plan to work with. It would also be smart to pick a system with a wider choice of currencies to feel safer for the future.

Cutting-edge Booking Engine for an Ambitious Saudi Travel Startup

Check out how GP Solutions team introduced top-notch technology to automate the search&book flow built around a unique marketing idea.

CRM integrations

Integration of a CRM system can benefit your OTA business in many ways. Systems of this type are designed to provide valuable insights into customer data, behavior and sales data. They help to determine the most promising segments of your audience and indicate opportunities to yield even better financial returns from your current customers.

Most popular CRM systems like Salesforce or Hubspot may not be the cheapest pieces of software. But if used properly they can (indirectly) save you lots of money and constantly new areas to generate extra profit.

Connection to other systems

OTAs may frequently use other systems for their day-to-day needs. These may include accounting systems, reporting and analytical tools, BI solutions, etc. A properly built export API can make the process of using them much easier, as soon as it can:

• Export all kinds of business-critical data (users, reservations, bookings, etc,);
• Support different commonly used data exchange formats (CSV, XML/XSLT, JSON)

Thus, it makes sense to add this item to your OTA tech checklist.

Step 6. Building competitive customer experience

Last but definitely not least is the level of service and experience an OTA can offer to its customers. Modern travelers are very demanding and are only willing to go for top-notch service that “flows like clockwork”. This effect can only be reached by making regular contributions into:

User interfaces . Successful online booking portals usually offer the following UI elements:

• Quick registration process (with Guest booking option)
• Comprehensive search results display
• Intuitive and functional personal user area
• High level of personalization

Each of these points needs constant attention and improvement in order to keep up with the market trends. Otherwise, your portal runs the risk of falling behind.

Building trust . Every visitor to your website must feel instantly at home. The credibility of this sort can be developed with the help of various activities and techniques, such as, for example:

• Adding trustmarks to the website footer (payment gateway logos, certifications, licenses, accreditations, etc.);
• Maintaining an informative ‘About us’ area containing detailed descriptions of company history, its kye specifics, information on founders and top managers, etc.;
• Provision of elaborate descriptions on cookie and personal data policies;
• Putting up a section with customer references and testimonials

Customer service . You can’t avoid chats in the travel industry, as users always have different inquiries and questions. Don’t forget your users have a vacation mood, so customer service should be as friendly as possible.

Online travel agencies are surely one of the pinnacles of the modern travel industry. They feed off the combination of top-notch ideas and solutions across various areas: software development, UI/UX design, online marketing, eCommerce, etc. It takes a strong background in each of these areas in order to offer competitive service for the modern market. But it is even more important to focus on the right things and make your knowledge really work to the full for the benefit of your OTA business.

Start building your online travel agency technology today!

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Discover the secrets to a seamless travel booking experience! Our experts reveal how top-notch web design can enhance user satisfaction, boost conversions, and keep visitors coming back.

The visual aspect plays a vital role in tour operator software, as travelers may choose your services judging by the general appeal and functionality of your website. Check how you can increase conversions with wise design solutions.

Embark on a digital odyssey in travel! Discover how tech innovations like AI and IoT are reshaping the journey, making travel seamless and personalized.

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Travel Agency Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their travel agencies. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a travel agency business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Travel Agency Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your travel agency as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Travel Agency

If you’re looking to start a travel agency or grow your existing travel agency you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your travel agency in order to improve your chances of success. Your travel agency business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Source of Funding for Travel Agencies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a travel agency are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable. But they will want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

The second most common form of funding for a travel agency is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

Your travel agency business plan should include 10 sections as follows:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of travel agency business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a travel agency that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of travel agencies.

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the travel agency industry. Discuss the type of travel agency you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of travel agency you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types:

• Commercial Travel Agencies : this type of travel agency caters to business travelers. These agencies specialize in tracking down deals for business travelers to help companies manage travel costs.
• Online Travel Agencies : this type of travel agency exists only in cyberspace. They provide clients with the convenience of online booking and discounts that are available only to professional travel agencies.
• Niche Travel Agencies : this type of travel agency provides clients with specialized knowledge of a region.
• Membership Associations : Memberships associations give travelers access to the organization’s travel planning services for the cost of an annual membership rather than charging per transaction. This type of agency offers the most benefit to frequent travelers.

In addition to explaining the type of travel agency you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, new location openings, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the travel agency business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the travel agency industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies market trends. For example, if there was a trend towards glamping, it would be helpful to ensure your plan calls for plenty of luxury camping packages.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your travel agency business plan:

• How big is the travel agency business (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your travel agency. You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your travel agency business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: sports enthusiasts, soccer moms, baby boomers, businesses, etc.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of travel agency you operate. Clearly baby boomers would want a different atmosphere, pricing and product options, and would respond to different marketing promotions than businesses.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most travel agencies primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other travel agencies.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes customers making travel arrangements themselves at home. You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone who travels uses travel agency services.

With regards to direct competition, you want to detail the other travel agencies with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be travel agencies located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What products do they offer?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide better travel packages?
• Will you provide products or services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to book your offerings?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a travel agency business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : in the product section you should reiterate the type of travel agency that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to regular accommodation and transportation booking, will you offer items such as tour packages and excursions?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the packages you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your travel agency. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your travel agency located next to a heavily populated office building, or highly trafficked retail area, etc. Discuss how your location might provide a steady stream of customers.

Promotions : the final part of your travel agency marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Making your travel agency’s storefront extra appealing to attract passing customers
• Distributing travel brochures outside the travel agency
• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local bloggers and websites
• Social media advertising
• Local radio advertising
• Banner ads at local venues

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your travel agency such as serving customers, procuring supplies, keeping the office clean, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 1,000th customer, or when you hope to reach $X in sales. It could also be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or launch a new location.

Management Team

To demonstrate your travel agency’s ability to succeed as a business, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in the travel agency business. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in travel agencies and/or successfully running retail and small businesses.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you serve 50 customers per week or 100? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. For instance, if you spend $100,000 on building out your travel agency, that will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $100.000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a travel agency:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment like computers, website/platform, and software
• Cost of marketing materials and maintaining an adequate amount of supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your store design blueprint or location lease.

Travel Agent Business Plan Template PDF

You can download our travel agent business plan PDF to help you get started on your own business plan.  

Travel Agency Business Plan Summary

Putting together a business plan for your travel agency is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the travel agency business, your competition and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful travel agency.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Travel Agency business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.  

Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

7 Steps to Start an Online Travel Agency Business

We live in the startup era, where budding entrepreneurs are passionate about turning their dream project into a lucrative business. Launching a travel agency business can be equally rewarding and intimidating in this booming entrepreneurial era. According to a study, 71% of businesses fail within 10 years of their operation. Turning your business idea into a travel company and getting it off the ground might seem challenging. But it would be best to start with proper planning, make appropriate financial and legal decisions, and much more to keep it operational.   

Online travel agencies or OTAs are the most dominant players in the travel market, with a share of $561 billion in 2021. OTAs are one-stop-shop to search and book everything from flights and accommodations to excursions, making it hassle-free for travelers to book for their upcoming trips. A new research by Statista predicts that by 2025, the OTA market is expected to reach $833.5 billion.   

7 Steps to Start an Online Travel Agency Business  

Owning an OTA business in 2022 is lucrative as 81% of travelers heavily rely on OTAs to search and book for their upcoming trips. Let’s now dive into the top 7 steps that you need to take to start your travel agency business. This post can be a blueprint for launching your online travel agency.  

1. Develop a Business Plan  

Your online travel agency business plan will be a roadmap for establishing your idea. The document will showcase every aspect of your business- company goals, vision, business strategy, financial plan, products or services, your target audience, marketing strategy and strategic partners: These can be suppliers and tech as well.   Developing a business plan will keep you on track with your vision. Also, to stay competitive in the constantly evolving travel market, you need to revise your business plan constantly.  

 2. Identify your Niche Market 

Since the travel industry is highly dynamic and competitive, you need to identify and choose which travel market do you want to target. Start with market research to understand your potential customer needs. In this step, you must focus on:  

• Target audience travel behavior and preference  
• Types of travel products such as hotels, flights, excursions, cruises, etc. to sell  
• Finding niche travel markets  

Why is it essential to find your niche to start an OTA business?   

Well, the competition is fierce with brands like Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Kayak, Expedia, and much more. You need to stand out and compete efficiently in the travel market. And this can be possible by being an expert in your niche and answering every trip-related question the modern traveler asks.  

According to a research some of the booming travel niches that your business can dive into are:  

• Adventure travel  
• Healthcare tourism  
• Eco-friendly or sustainable tourism  
• Gastronomy tourism  
• Wellness and spiritual tourism  
• Heritage and cultural tourism   

Recommended: Five Ways World Travel And Tourism Industry Digitalizing Journeys

3. Find the Right Mix of Partners and Inventory Suppliers

The next step is to develop fortifying partnerships that can help your business grow. During the early stage of your startup, you need to work with multiple suppliers or providers to sell your travel products and make money through commissions.  

Let’s say your niche is heritage and cultural tourism in Italy. To sell your travel products and grow effectively, you must connect with a wholesaler with the largest hotel inventory, airlines, and other travel services. Talk to various providers, suppliers, compare their prices, services, and the commissions you might earn and then decide on the partnership.

4. Organize your Tech Platform 

With a business plan, niche and partners in place, it’s time to build a technology platform. Focus on these five main tech platforms:  

• Search engine for customers to book   
• Booking engine for automation of OTA workflow  
• Back office for business operations  
• Commission engine   
• Recommendation engine to enhance customer experience  

It is difficult to work independently, and that’s why it’s ideal to integrate booking engine and other third-party APIs (flight search, hotel booking by suppliers, NDC, hotel mapping , car rental booking, payment gateways, CRMs) to your website for a hassle-free user experience. 

5. Register your Online Travel Agency Business

This is a crucial part of your business. With major tasks off your plate, it’s time to make your travel business legal by registering with the government.  

Here is the checklist to do so:      

• Choose your business name  
• Apply for licenses and permits as per your local laws    
• Apply for business insurance    

Invest in accounting software   

6. gain accreditation.

Accreditation will make your travel agency business credible. Obtain accreditation from IATA, ARC or any other reputed travel organization, contracts from GDS . This accreditation will review your industry experience, finances and even provide training and support to flourish successfully.  

Recommended: How Can IATA Travel Pass Help Countries Reopen Borders?

7. Financial Plan  

To successfully start your online travel business, you will need sufficient capital.   

There are different ways of funding capital. Some of them are:  

• Personal savings  
• Credit cards  
• Money from family and friends   
• Venture capital  
• Angel investors  
• Crowdfunding  
• Small business loans and grants  

A combination of these funding sources can help you get off the ground. To secure this capital, you need to have a financial plan of how much money you need to raise and how your business will make a profit.   

You are now set to take off your online travel agency business with these essential steps. It can be daunting initially, and your startup might have roadblocks, but stay dedicated and remember these steps to start and grow your new business seamlessly.  

About Vervotech:

Vervotech is a leading Hotel Mapping and Room Mapping API that leverages the power of AI and ML to quickly and accurately identify each property listing through the verification of multiple parameters. With one of the industry’s best coverage of 98% and an accuracy of 99.999%, Vervotech is quickly becoming the mapping software of choice for all leading global companies operating in the travel and hospitality industry. To learn more about Vervotech and the ways it can enhance your business in the long run contact us: [email protected]

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Metasearch Engines, potential and underlying challenges

3rd Floor, Amar Tech Centre, Viman Nagar, Pune, MH – 411014

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Pratiksha Ghule

Customer Success - Executive

Working here has been a beautiful journey, filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and making meaningful connections.

At Vervotech, I’ve found more than just a workplace – I’ve found a second family. The people here are not only talented professionals but also incredibly kind-hearted individuals who are always willing to lend a helping hand and share their expertise. Together, we’ve tackled challenges, celebrated successes, and created memories I’ll cherish forever.

As I look back on my time at Vervotech, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned. I’m proud to be part of a company that values innovation, collaboration, and diversity, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.

Vaibhav Shetty

Director – Customer Success

From having deep conversations with customers to understanding the technical intricacies of our products, every step has been a stepping stone.

Fast forward to today, I’m the Director of Customer Success at Vervotech. It’s a testament to the support and opportunities Vervotech offers for personal and professional development. I owe a debt of gratitude to my mentors and leaders, Sanjay Ghare and Dharmendra Ladi, whose wisdom and guidance have guided me through this incredible journey.

My journey at Vervotech goes beyond professional achievements, it’s not just about work here. I’ve made some lifelong friends and learned life lessons that go way beyond the office.

Vervotech Affiliate Partner Application Form

Which Vervotech product(s) do you want to promote? Please select all that apply. Hotel Mapping Room Mapping Hotel Curated Content

What will you need to be successful partner? (for example: image assets, product training, brand guidelines, etc.)

I accept the 

terms & conditions

REFERRAL PARTNER AGREEMENT

THIS REFERRAL FORM EXECUTED BY REFERRAL PARTNER WITH COMPANY AND BETWEEN VERVOTECH SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED, HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT FIRST FLOOR, FLAT NO. 101, E BUILDING, RICH WOODS, PLOT NO. 150, SECTOR 11, PCNTDA, CHIKHALI, PIMPRI CHINCHWAD, PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, 411019, IN, (“THE COMPANY”) AND YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL REFERRAL PARTNER OR ANY SOLE PROPREITOR, PARTNERSHIP, LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP, PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY OR PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY OR ANY OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY EXECUTING THE REFERRAL FORM (“THE REFERRAL PARTNER”) IS GOVERNED UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS REFERRAL PARTNER AGREEMENT (“AGREEMENT”). PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. BY CLICKING “ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO” REFERRAL PARTNER AGREES TO THE AGREEMENT APPLICABLE TO THE REFERRAL FORM.

REFERRAL PARTNER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDS IT, AND AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS, AND IF THE REFERRAL PARTNER IS A PERSON WHO IS SIGNING ON ITS BEHALF HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO DO SO AND THE COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY TOWARDS VERIFYING THE AUTHORITY OF THE PERSON WHO HAS SIGNED THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE REFERRAL PARTNER.

APPOINTMENT REFERRALS

Appointment. Company hereby appoints Referral Partner, and Referral Partner hereby accepts such appointment, as Company’s non-exclusive referral partner for the marketing and promotion of Services and the referral of leads for the sale of Services, as further set forth in this Agreement.

Scope of Authority Referral Partner's sole authority shall be to (a) market and promote Services as set forth in this Agreement, and (b) provide sales leads to Company for Company to contact in its sole discretion. The Parties agree that Company will directly enter into agreements with customers for the provision of Services to such customers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REFERRAL PARTNER

Prior to undertaking any solicitation efforts of a prospective customer or client ("Prospect”) relating to the services or products or offerings of the Company as set out at https://vervotech.com/vervotech-affiliate-program ("Services”), Referral Partner shall submit a referral form, in a format shared by the Company ("Referral Form”), for written approval of the Company. The Referral Partner agrees to provide the necessary information, data and materials as may be requested by Company in respect of the Prospect. Referral Partner shall fill out a Referral Form and shall provide Company with the names of the Prospect to which Referral Partner intends to refer to the Services). If the Prospect is a large business entity, Referral Partner shall specify the name of division of such large entity in the customer list.

If a Prospect is approved by Company as a potential customer, Company will confirm such acceptance or rejection of such Prospect in writing via email to Referral Partner (“Referral Date”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company will be entitled to accept or reject a Prospect at its own discretion, without providing any justifications or reasons in relation to the same. For the avoidance of doubt, Company reserves the right to decline to enter into a transaction with any prospect for lack of creditworthiness or for any other reason. Prospect which are not approved by Company are considered out of scope of Referral Fee. In the event Company does not notify Referral Partner of acceptance of the Prospect, it shall be deemed to be rejected.

In case Company notifies Referral Partner of its approval of a Prospect, the Referral Partner will provide assistance to the Company in establishing contact between the Prospect and the appropriate contact at Company, without any additional costs.

If the foregoing activities result in the Prospect entering into and executing a formal customer agreement with Company (hereinafter, a “Qualifying Transaction”), Referral Partner shall be entitled to a Referral Fee subject to receipt of amount invoiced to the customer for sale of Services through Qualifying Transaction (hereinafter, a “Qualified Sale”) and subject to the other conditions set forth under this Agreement; provided, however, that such Qualifying Transaction is consummated no later than six (6) months following the Referral Date.

A Prospect may not qualify as such, if, as on the Referral Date: (a) it is an existing customer of Company; (b) it has previously been contacted by Company, Company’ s affiliates or any other agent, reseller, vendor who markets Company’ s products and services; (c) it has previously been introduced or referred to Company as a potential prospect by a third party or (d) it is parent, subsidiary or affiliate of Company.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REFERRAL PARTNER

Limited Authority Referral Partner will make no representations, warranties or guarantees on behalf of Company. Referral Partner has no authority to distribute or resell Services, or to make any commitments, agreements, or to incur any liabilities whatsoever on behalf of Company. Company will not be liable for any acts, omissions to act, contracts, commitments, promises or representations made by Referral Partner hereto. Referral Partner's activities under this Agreement shall be at its own cost and risk. Referral Partner shall not, without prior approval from Company, submit proposals, accept orders, negotiate and conclude contracts, and/or alter, vary or modify in any manner any of the terms and conditions of Company' s offer/ proposal / contract.

Assistance. Referral Partner shall make best efforts in performance of its responsibilities under the Agreement and provide reasonable support to Company.

Quarterly Meetings. Referral Partner agrees to meet, either in person or via teleconference, no less frequently than once every calendar quarter to discuss the status of the relationship contemplated herein and emerging opportunities and as directed by Company from time to time.

Training. Company shall have no obligations to provide the Referral Partner any training regarding the Services. Upon request of Referral Partner and in case the Referral Partner is an organization, Company shall make good faith efforts to provide sales training focused on the marketing and promotion of Services to Referral Partner employees, at REFERRAL PARTNER’s own cost.

Subcontracting. Referral Partner shall not subcontract any of its obligations under this Agreement.

Competing Products and Business Practices. During the term of this Agreement, Referral Partner shall promptly inform Company of Referral Partner promotion, marketing, or distribution of any product or service offering similar functionality to Services. Referral Partner (a) shall conduct its business under this Agreement in a manner that reflects favorably upon Company, Services, and Company's goodwill and reputation, (b) shall not engage in illegal, deceptive, misleading, or unethical trade practices, and (c) shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any of its or their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives, or agents to, promise, authorize, or make any payment, or otherwise contribute any item of value, directly or indirectly, to any third party and in each case, in violation of the applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law.

Data Protection and Privacy. In the performance of the services set forth herein Referral Partner may receive or have access to personal data of the Company and its personnel. Referral Partner agrees to comply with the terms set forth in this Agreement, in its collection, receipt, transmission, storage, disposal, use and disclosure of such personal data. Referral Partner agrees to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to laws, rules and regulations related to personal data protection and data privacy. To the extent the Referral Partner will share any personal data with the Company, the Referral Partner shall be responsible for obtaining informed consent from such individuals for the processing of their personal data. The Referral Partner agrees to take all necessary steps to ensure compliance, including but not limited to executing appropriate contractual agreements as may be necessary as per applicable laws.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Representations and Warranties. Referral Partner represents and warrants that (a) it has the full corporate right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, (b) the execution of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder does not and will not conflict with or result in a breach (including with the passage of time) of any other agreement to which it is a party, and (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Party and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms. Referral Partner further represents and warrants that it shall comply with all applicable data privacy laws while performing its obligations under the Agreement, and that it has all rights necessary to provide the Referral Form to Company for Company’s use pursuant to this Agreement. Referral Partner specifically represents and warrants that it has procured from all data subjects whose personal information it is disclosing to Company an explicit consent to disclose their personal information to Company for use in contacting them for marketing and/or other business purposes.

GENERAL DISCLAIMERS- EACH OF COMPANY AND REFERRAL PARTNER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IT HAS NOT RELIED UPON ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND THAT NEITHER PARTY HAS MADE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, ASSURANCES, OR PROMISES THAT COMPANY WILL RECEIVE ANY NEW REFERRED CUSTOMERS OR NEW BUSINESS OR THAT REFERRAL PARTNER WILL RECEIVE ANY REFERRAL FEES AS A RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT. COMPANY DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE SERVICES, WHICH ARE PROVIDED AS-IS, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, ORAL OR IN WRITING, ARISING UNDER ANY LAWS, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO ERROR-FREE OPERATION, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

In consideration of the Services provided by the Referral Partner in accordance with the Agreement, Company will pay to the Referral Partner as per the Referral Fee specified below, which shall be Company’ s sole payment obligation.

Referral Fee: For any invoices issued pursuant to Qualified Sales received by Company from customer during the referral period, Company shall pay Referral Partner a Referral Fee as per the % (mentioned on the referral Page) of the amount actually collected by Company from customer as a one-time Referral Fee.

Company shall make payment of undisputed invoice raised by Referral Partner within Sixty (60) days of the date of Company' invoice to customer for the Qualified Sales.

Company shall not pay or reimburse Referral Partner for any expenses related to this Agreement, unless expressly agreed to by Company in writing, before such expenses were incurred.

Limitation on Referral Fee:

Company will not pay more than one (1) Referral Fee in connection with any given Qualified Sales.

Referral Partner will receive the Referral Fee only as one-time fee.

Referral Partner will not be entitled to receive any Referral Fees for any subsequent services which are beyond the first transaction.

A renewal of a Qualified Sale shall not be considered a new Qualifying Transaction and shall not entitle Referral Partner to any Referral Fee.

Referral Fee shall be paid only when the actual invoicing amount have been collected from Qualified Sales. Referral Partner shall not be entitled to receive payment of Referral Fees for Qualifying Transactions remaining unpaid.

LICENSES AND OWNERSHIP

Company Marks. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and solely for the purposes hereof, Company grants to Referral Partner a non-transferable, non-exclusive license, without right of sublicense, to use the Company trademarks, service marks, and logos as approved by Company (the “Company Marks”) to perform its obligations set forth in this Agreement. The use of all Company Marks, including placement and sizing, shall be subject to Company’s then-current trademark use guidelines, if any, provided by the Company. If the Company Marks become, or in Company’s opinion are likely to become, the subject of an infringement claim, Company may at its option modify or replace the Company Marks and require Referral Partner to cease use of the allegedly infringing Company Marks. Referral Partner shall promptly provide Company with samples of all materials that use the Company Marks for Company’s quality control purposes. If, in Company’s discretion, the Referral Partner’s use of the Company Marks does not meet Company’s then-current trademark usage policy, Company may, at its option, require Referral Partner to revise such material and re-submit it under this Section prior to display, or release of further materials bearing or containing such Company Marks. Except for the right to use the Company Marks set forth above, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to grant to Referral Partner any right, title or interest in or to the Company Marks, and all right, title, and interest in and to the Company Marks shall be retained by Company. Referral Partner acknowledges that Company asserts its exclusive ownership of the Company Marks and the renown of the Company Marks worldwide. Referral Partner shall not take any action inconsistent with such ownership and further agrees to take all actions that Company reasonably requests to establish and preserve its exclusive rights in and to the Company Marks. Referral Partner shall not adopt, use, or attempt to register any trademarks or trade names that are confusingly similar to the Company Marks or in such a way as to create combination marks with the Company Marks.

Company Materials. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and solely for the purposes hereof, Company grants to Referral Partner a non-transferable, non-exclusive license, without right of sublicense, to distribute the Company Materials exactly as provided to Referral Partner by Company to perform Referral Partner’s obligations under this Agreement.

Ownership. As between Referral Partner and Company, Company retains all right, title, and interest to (a) the Company Marks, (b) the Services, any of its products, material or pre-existing intellectual property rights (c) the high-level description of the Company Products and the Company Materials, and (d) all Intellectual Property Rights related to any of the foregoing. There are no implied licenses under this Agreement.

No Intellectual Property Rights. Parties agree that no intellectual property rights are conceived or developed under this Agreement. If any intellectual property rights are conceived or developed, the intellectual property rights will vest with Company, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

CONFIDENTIALITY

In connection with this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means all data and information of a confidential nature of Company disclosed by Company to the Referral Partner under this Agreement, as well as information that Referral Partner knows or reasonably should know that the Company regards as confidential, including business practices, software, technical information, future product/services plans, programming/design techniques or plans, know-how, trade secrets, prospects, customers, end users suppliers, development plans or projects, and services. Confidential Information may be communicated orally, in writing, or in any other recorded or tangible form.

Confidentiality. Referral Partner shall maintain in confidence all Confidential Information disclosed to it by the Company. Referral Partner shall not use for any purpose outside the scope of this Agreement, or disclose to any third party such Confidential Information except as expressly authorized by this Agreement. To the extent that disclosure is authorized by this Agreement, the Referral Partner shall obtain prior agreement from its employees, contractors, agents, and consultants to whom disclosure is to be made to hold in confidence and not make use of such information for any purpose other than those permitted by this Agreement. Referral Partner shall use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect its own most confidential information (and in no event less than reasonable care) to ensure that such employees, contractors, agents, and consultants do not disclose or make any unauthorized use of such Confidential Information. Referral Partner shall promptly notify the other upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the obligations set forth in this section 7 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for perpetuity.

Exceptions. The obligations of confidentiality contained in this section 7 shall not apply to the extent that it can be established by the Referral Partner by competent proof that such Confidential Information:

was already known to the Referral Partner, other than under an obligation of confidentiality, at the time of disclosure by the Company;

was generally available to the public or was otherwise part of the public domain at the time of its disclosure to the Referral Partner;

became generally available to the public or otherwise became part of the public domain after its disclosure, other than through any act or omission of the Referral Partner in breach of this Agreement; or

was disclosed to the receiving Party, other than under an obligation of confidentiality, by a third party who had no obligation not to disclose such information to others.

Authorized Disclosure. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Referral Partner may disclose Confidential Information (a) to the extent required by law or any governmental authority, or (b) on a “need to know” basis under an obligation of confidentiality to its legal counsel or accountants, provided, that such Referral Partner shall to the extent practicable (and except to the extent it would jeopardize the filing or prosecution of letters patent) use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company in securing confidential treatment of such information required to be disclosed. Prior to disclosing any Confidential Information under this section 7 Referral Partner shall take reasonable steps to give the Company sufficient notice of the disclosure request for the Company to contest the disclosure request.

Referral Partner shall indemnify, defend, and hold Company harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs, fees, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from or arising out of any Claims based on allegations that (a) Referral Partner breached any obligations including with limitation Confidential Information, representation or warranty contained herein, or has breached any applicable laws, rules and regulations, or (b) Referral Partner made a representation or warranty regarding Company or the Services that is inconsistent with the written high-level description of Services provided to Referral Partner by Company, or is otherwise unauthorized by Company.

Indemnification Procedure. An indemnifying party hereunder shall be liable for any costs and damages to third parties incurred by the other party which are attributable to any such Claims, provided that such other party (i) notifies the indemnifying party promptly in writing of the claim, (ii) gives the indemnifying party the sole authority to defend, compromise or settle the claim, with prior approval of the Company and (iii) provides all available information, assistance, and authority at the indemnifying party’s reasonable request and at the indemnifying party’s reasonable expense to enable the indemnifying party to defend, compromise, or settle such claim. Any indemnifying party hereunder shall diligently pursue any defense required to be rendered hereunder, shall keep the indemnified party informed of all significant developments in any action defended by the indemnified party, and shall not enter into any settlement affecting the indemnified party’s interests without the prior consent of the indemnified party.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

COMPANY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO REFERRAL PARTNER OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT DAMAGES INCLUDING TOWARDS COSTS OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS, LOST PROFITS OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED, AND WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCTS LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF COMPANY FOR DIRECT DAMAGES FOR ANY REASON SHALL BE LIMITED TO AMOUNTS PAID BY COMPANY IN RESPECT OF THE QUALIFYING SALE . THESE LIMITATIONS WILL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF THE ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDY.

NON-SOLICITATION OF PERSONNEL

The Referral Partner shall not engage or hire as an employee or engage as independent contractor, Company’ s employees or independent contractors during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following expiration or termination of this Agreement except as may be mutually agreed in writing.

TERM AND TERMINATION:

Term. The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year from the Effective Date unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of this Section. This Agreement shall renew automatically for additional one-year terms unless one Party provides the other written notice no later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-current term of the Agreement of its intention to allow the Agreement to expire at the end of such term.

Termination for Breach. Either Party may terminate this Agreement for cause resulting from the material breach of this Agreement by the other Party by providing the breaching party written notice of such material breach and the intention to terminate for cause. The Party receiving such notice shall have thirty (30) days to cure such material breach. If at the end of such thirty (30) day period, the breach has not been cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Party seeking to terminate the Agreement, the Agreement shall terminate.

Termination for Convenience. Either Party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon ninety (90) days’ written notice.

Effect of Termination; Duties of the Parties Upon Termination. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, Referral Partner shall (a) refrain thereafter from representing itself as a promoter or marketer of Company Products, or as a referral partner of Company, (b) immediately cease all use of any Company Marks, and (c) return to Company the Company materials and Confidential Information and all tangible items in Referral Partner’s possession or under its control containing Confidential Information of Company. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, Company shall return to Referral Partner all tangible items in Company’s possession or under its control containing Referral Partner’s Confidential Information. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, all licenses granted under this Agreement shall terminate.

Survival. Any clauses which by their very nature survive termination of the Agreement, will survive.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the terms “include” and “including” shall be deemed to be immediately followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The captions and headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and reference only and in no way define or limit the scope or content of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of its provisions.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution: This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the India, without reference to its conflict-of-laws principles. The Parties shall resolve any difference or dispute arises out of this Agreement by way of negotiations. If such negotiation process fails, then all disputes arising from or related to this Agreement shall be resolved before exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Pune, India.

NOTICES: All notices including hereunder shall be given in writing by hand delivery, courier service or email at the addresses set forth below:

If to Company

If to REFERRAL PARTNER

Attention: Sanjay Ghare

Email: [email protected]

Address: 3rd Floor, Amar Tech Centre, Sakore Nagar, Viman Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014

Non-Waiver: A party's failure or delay in enforcing any provision of the Agreement will not be deemed a waiver of that party's rights with respect to that provision or any other provision of the Agreement. A party's waiver of any of its rights under the Agreement is not a waiver of any of its other rights with respect to a prior, contemporaneous or future occurrence, whether similar in nature or not.

Captions: The captions in the Agreement are not part of the Agreement, but are for the convenience of the parties. References to Sections are to sections of this Agreement.

Counterparts. Any documents signed in connection with the Agreement may be signed in multiple counterparts, which taken together will constitute one original.

Severability: In the event any term of the Agreement is held unenforceable by a court having jurisdiction, the remaining portion of the Agreement will remain in full force and effect, provided that the Agreement without the unenforceable provision(s) is consistent with the material economic incentives of the parties leading to the Agreement.

Relationship between the Parties. The relationship of Referral Partner and Company is that of independent contractors. Regardless of the use of the word "partner" in the title of this Agreement, neither Party is, nor shall be deemed to be, a partner, joint venturer, agent, or legal representative of the other Party for any purpose. Neither Party shall be entitled to enter into any contracts in the name of or on behalf of the other Party, and neither Party shall be entitled to pledge the credit of the other Party in any way or hold itself out as having authority to do so. No Party shall incur any debts or make any commitments for the other, except to the extent, if at all, explicitly provided herein.

Assignment. Referral Partner shall not assign or transfer this Agreement, in whole or in part, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or delegate any of its obligations hereunder, without the express written consent of Company. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Parties. Any assignment in violation of the foregoing shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and shall be null and void.

Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be liable for any failure or delay in fulfilling the terms of this Agreement due to fire, strike, war, civil unrest, terrorist action, government regulations, acts of nature or other causes which are unavoidable and beyond the reasonable control of the Party claiming force majeure.

Entire Agreement. The Agreement constitutes and contains the complete, final and exclusive understanding and agreement of the Parties and cancels and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings, and agreements, whether oral or written, between the Parties respecting the subject matter thereof. Parties agree that, their engagement with each other is on non-exclusive basis and either Party is free to appoint any third party for performance of their respective obligations.

Electronic Record. This Agreement is an electronic record in the form of an electronic contract formed under Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder and the amended provisions pertaining to electronic documents / records in various statutes as amended by the Information Technology Act, 2000. This Agreement does not require any physical, electronic or digital signature. This Agreement constitutes a legally binding document between the Subscriber and the Company.

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Referer's Information:

Referral information:, referral details:.

Pravin Mahadik

Chief Financial Officer

Pravin Bandu Mahadik is an ICMAI fellow and accomplished Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) with over a decade of experience in accounts and finance.

As a leader, Pravin has worked across various financial domains, including commercial operations, accounts and finance, auditing, taxation, MIS, transfer pricing, and export management.

He consistently introduces and implements systems to fortify financial control and improve Vervotech’s net organizational efficiency.

Marvel Puri

Chief Revenue Officer

As chief revenue officer (CRO), Marvel is responsible for every process at Vervotech that generates revenue. He has been instrumental in connecting different revenue-related functions, from sales, customer success, pricing, and revenue operations. His focus-driven approach to improving sales performance, and creating great product and pricing strategy, and delivering customer satisfaction has helped Vervotech to acquire 100 clients within a short stint of 2 years.    

With the experience of over 15+ years in sales and business development at SaaS-based organizations, Marvel has flourished throughout his career by creating and leading experienced and diverse teams. To Marvel, growth has not only been to hit quotas but is broad and holistic: open new paths to revenue and build the processes to get there.

Ganesh Pawade

Ganesh is a Problem Solver and a Thought Leader. Throughout his 13 yrs professional journey, he helped businesses to identify their platform areas, define solutions and architecture, and make a more technically-informed decision on their current and future business as well as the technology roadmap.

His passion for good code often results in him being engaged in animated discussions with his team of architects and engineers, pushing them to think beyond what is possible. His specialties include Solution Architecture, Full stack specialist, AWS, Azure and Google cloud.

Dharmendra Ladi

Dharmendra Ladi has been instrumental in positioning Vervotech as the “World’s Best Mapping Provider” and is focused on transforming how the industry presents accommodation data to its customers. With his 14+ years of experience in travel and innovative technologies, he is the principal architect behind designing Vervotech’s AI-driven products that are today helping its clients worldwide do business seamlessly.    

He leads new product development. Under his leadership, Vervotech has is credited with going from 0 to 100 customers within 2 years of business establishment. Dharmendra is also an inspiring thought leader, and regularly speaks at large scale events, webinars and has been interviewed by multiple media houses.

Sanjay Ghare

CEO & MD

Sanjay brings over 16+ years of entrepreneurial, general management, and senior executive experience with proven expertise in business development, corporate strategy, and product & program management. Sanjay, being an Industry veteran, and an influencer, leads and drives Vervotech’s vision of “Organizing World’s Accommodation Data.” Before he founded Vervotech, he was a VP of Tavisca Solutions, where he took the started SaaS division and grown with customers in  more than 15 countries.    

With his business acumen, Sanjay is on the trajectory of revolutionizing the accommodation data segment. He’s also a member of the Forbes Technology Council and often puts actionable growth strategies into perspective in his Forbes column.       

Anurag Mittal

Chief Marketing Officer

Anurag Mittal is a seasoned technology executive who has led multiple marketing teams at SaaS-based organizations. At Vervotech, Anurag is responsible for marketing and strategy formulation and setting up a growth-oriented marketing & prospecting team. Anurag comes with an experience working with Organizations like Deloitte and ACCELQ, where he led the marketing initiatives for their SaaS product lines and has worn many hats including devising marketing strategies for business growth, managing GTM with alliances and partners, conceptualizing and orchestrating marketing campaigns, end-to-end event management, and demand generation activities to deliver a qualified sales pipeline.    

He has been strategic face for the launch of Vervotech’s website and digital presence and have led several winning campaigns that has led to successful brand development and customer acquisition.    

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Rohit Shukla

Chief Product Officer

As Vervotech’s Chief Product Officer, Rohit is responsible for the product strategy and teams working to advance Vevotech’s position as a leading accommodation data company for OTAs, bed banks, DMCs, and Tour operators.

Rohit has been in the technology space for the last 15+ years, working with companies at different stages of growth within Travel, E-commerce, and FinTech Industries. In his previous roles, he drove product strategies for start-ups and SMEs and was instrumental in building platforms and product lines that generated $900 million in revenues and half a million paid customers. The products included flights, hotels, car rentals, activities & vacation packages.

Archana Garg

Financial Advisor

Archana has more than 15 years of experience in finance and operations management. Archana is proven leader in building and scaling companies as a result of her focus on financial strategy and operational excellence. She is motivated by understanding the customers she serves, and providing value at all levels of a business while building strong relationships with her colleagues.

She is a Chartered Accountant and is responsible for driving the Vervotech’s overall financial strategy, including the growth plans. Her experience navigating high growth companies, developing new business strategies and overall operational mindset delivers meaningful results for growth stage of Vervotech.

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Travel Website Business Plan Template

Pack your travel website's business plan with essential information and stunning visuals using this versatile template..

Specifically created for travel websites, this visually appealing and comprehensive template ensures your business plan covers all essential aspects - from a mission statement, business objectives, market and SWOT analysis, and sales forecast, to organizational management. Spruce up your presentation with striking colors, excellent fonts, and high-res visuals that showcase the unique experience your travel website offers to its users.

• Change colors, fonts and more to fit your branding
• Access free, built-in design assets or upload your own
• Visualize data with customizable charts and widgets
• Add animation, interactivity, audio, video and links
• Download in PDF, JPG, PNG and HTML5 format
• Create page-turners with Visme’s flipbook effect
• Share online with a link or embed on your website

Embark on your journey to creating the perfect travel website business plan by downloading this template, or browse Visme's extensive collection of plan templates to find the best fit for your business vision and goals.

Edit this template with our  Presentation Software

Template Specifications

10 Pages, 8.5” X 11” (US Letter)

Customizable

This template can be fully customized. You can edit content, change image(s), apply custom colors, input your own fonts and logo, and more.

For professional printing, download as PDF with bleed marks. For regular printing, download as image (JPG or PNG) or PDF without bleeds marks. For online use, your plans can also be shared via link or embedded to a site or blog.

Compatibility

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Plan Templates by Visme

Every business needs to have a strategic plan in place to be successful. A well-designed plan backed by solid research can help your company achieve its goals, understand the target audience, communicate strategies and tactics, and track the right metrics to analyze performance. Most importantly, it helps you bring your entire team on the same page.

Thanks to Visme’s creative plan templates, it’s easier than ever for any business to create a beautiful and comprehensive document to share with colleagues, team members and top management. From marketing plans and project plans to complete business plan templates, these documents are designed by professionals and contain real information to help you create content that is truly effective.

Customize these plan templates with your own colors, images and text content. Replace the fonts, upload your own brand elements, add your logo and tweak it effortlessly using the drag-and-drop editor. Add or remove pages with a click, insert video, animations and interactive links, tap into millions of free graphic assets, and create a modern plan for a modern business.

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Travel Portals

• B2B Travel Booking Portal
• B2C Travel Booking Portal
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• Galileo GDS

Travelopro's Travel portal Solutions help business across the globe enhance travel experience and increase growth.

Clients and partners.

Trusted by 1000+ companies around the world

At Travelopro, we believe that Latest technology strengthens all successful, modern travel agencies. Traditional approach of people resources and quality does not work any longer. Travelopro is here to Digitally Transform your Business. Travel Agencies now increasingly expect technology to be the agent of change and expect us to devise strategies that are driven by ideas. Every one of our customer’s portal is built on a strong, dynamic and innovative technology stack ensuring that our clients receive excellent service around the clock.

TRUST IS EARNED

The First & Only Company to offer Worldwide Flight, Hotels, Car, Transfers, Tours APIs on a Single Platform. Don’t settle for the same thing everyone else is doing.

We’ll help you bring more vibrant Travel Products and colorful digital marketing. Hire Travelopro to Transform your Business to make Digital Real for your Customers .

Awarded #1 Travel Software for the Online Travel Industry

Our service never stops with the sales of our softwares or API Solutions. It goes on in the form of after-sales service since we understand that our products are designed to satisfy your requirements for many years to come.We’ve an established and efficient system in place to deal with all of your after sale support needs.

Exceptional Commitment to Customer Success

Every project we take on starts with the aim of being our 'best yet', so you can be assured that our attention to detail and high quality work is present in every job we craft. We want our customers to be as excited and proud of the end product as we are, and we strive towards that goal every day.

Cloud based Technology fueling for High Performance

Let us put the #1 managed cloud based travel technology solution work for you.

Whatever your Business requirement, Travelopro offers completely managed best fit travel technology solution.

Generate more bookings & delight travelers through a powerful mobile engagement platform

With travelopro’s online platform you can grow your revenues, streamline your operations and extend your digital reach.

• Configure credit limit and deposits
• Multilingual travel websites
• Add offline travel bookings
• Distribute white labels
• Dynamic fare caching
• Commissions and markup control
• Advanced Reports
• Manage multiple branches
• Sub Agents can create and manage multiple branches and users
• Optional cross selling platform
• SMS gateway
• Multi currency transactions for agents and suppliers
• Business intelligence reports
• Online travel booking engine
• Multiple sales channels - B2B, B2B2B, B2B2C
• Centralised mid-office
• Ability to connect multiple GDS, LCC, and third party APIs
• Complete Reservation Management
• Travel Agent Management
• Transactional Accounting
• Accounting System Integration
• Comprehensive system to manage rates, discounts and allocation
• Payment Gateway Integration
• Multiple Supplier APIs
• Add direct contracts
• Redistribution API

Travel Portals - B2B & B2C Travel Portals With Advanced Features To Travel Business

Travelopro is one of foremost b2b travel portals, constantly evolving and adding value in business by giving it's distributors and agents the best technology,deals and a user-friendly platform to transact and achieve their own financial freedom..

Start Your Profitable Business Today With Best B2B Travel Portal

Travel portal is a comprehensive and powerful tool you can use to make your presence in the travel industry.

Travelopro provides a wide range of travel portal software and solutions that help to travel agencies, tour operators and travel companies to grow your business.

We offer feature-rich travel portal development solutions which are suitable for all size of the business, from smaller to large-scale travel enterprises with cost-effective and exceed your expectation.

Our portal development experts pay complete attention to your travel portal requirements and offer you the most sophisticated solution as per your need.

Travelopro helps aspiring travel businesses in offering better customer experience and simplify processes.

We are a premier travel technology solution provider around the world. Our travel ERP is an appropriate system that helps travel agencies across the globe to manage their tasks smoothly.

It is used to market improved travel management and expense solution. We have worked on airlines, hotels, car rentals, sightseeing, transfers and different payment gateway suppliers in the current global market.

We ensure that we take a good look at your requirements to provide you with the customized online travel portals solutions to you.

Our aim is to provide excellent customized travel portal services for all the aspects of B2B & B2C travel portal development and travel API integration for holiday packages, airline booking , car rental, hotel booking, etc.

Travelopro is the best travel website development company that strives to create portals that are user-friendly, easy to navigate, creative and interactive in order to fulfill customer requirements.

We can develop the travel portals according to the search engines and users so that you can get good ranks, increment your revenue and enhance your user experience.

At Travelopro, we provide 360-degree website development solutions which will help you to drive more traffic and strengthen your online presence.

With many years of experience, the main purpose of our web development company is to offer cutting edge web development services that will add value and suit your business needs.

Our professional developers are highly skilled and are capable of developing any kind of website.

Travelopro is a leading travel portal development company providing travel portal solution to the travel agents, tour operators, and travel companies worldwide.

Our travel software is mobile friendly so it can be viewable on any screen sizes. A Travel Portal is an online booking engine facility to both B2B and B2C.

It offers a wide range of essential features to its customers all in one place.

Travelopro, the business travel portal development company develops and designs a comprehensive business travel portal for the travel agents and tour operators with the most innovative solutions integrating various APIs in the process.

Travelopro has gained a reputation to compute with not only in India but also globally with clients in certain countries.

Furnished with trained and skilled technicians who use the most recent technologies in developing and maintaining a business travel portal for various travel companies.

Travelopro connects experience with travel technology to give the best to its customers. It implements tried and tested methodologies that are steadily modernizing for better performance.

We not only offer customized business travel portal development for each customer keeping in mind their obligation but also offers 24X7 portal maintenance program in the most affordable manner.

Travel Booking can also be done through these portals as the customer has complete access to details like destination, travel booking.

Any prosperous website and portal required support services and routine maintenance, these services can be of content update, bug fixing of application, new module additions, for new forms of look and feel a new looking portal platform always attract higher traffic. 

Travelopro offers business travel portal software or product to all sizes of travel agents, tour operators, and travel companies across the globe.

We provide a travel portal software that enables companies to deliver a fully loaded online travel booking portal that leaves well beyond client's expectations.

With the latest progress technology, we have developed our Travel Booking software that takes advantage and our expertise in the travel industry makes us precede our competitors.

Our Travel Portal software enables the travel booking system which is suitable for all types of customers, from smaller travel agents to large-scale travel enterprises.

End-To-End Travel Portal Development For A Transparent And Secure Booking Process

We are a company which is into the business of website designing and building, for a couple of years; hence our professionals are very well aware of the requirement of our customers.

We provide well-responsive travel portal software to the travel agencies.

We are focused on providing intensive technologies with easily accessible travel booking engines to help you make your travel company the main inclination of the travelers.

Prefer for the most trusted website design and development services from Travel Portal Software and get an online recognition of your business.

Along with the website building, there are many other important traits that need to be taken into consideration. Travel Portal software, now helps you get a well-responsive website with a good presence in the world of the Internet.

We have been here to help you find all the travel portal related solutions. Our team of well-talented experts provides the best. We provide fully customized travel portal software to your business requirements.

We offer travel portal software services that enable online travel agents, tour operators and travel companies to deliver a fully loaded online travel booking portal software that goes well beyond their expectation and enables them to get online with single point of access via numerous interfaces (B2B, B2C) we ensure our clients to get  inventory, best fares, and missions.

Travelopro understands what you need from a business travel platform. We began a crisp and inventive methodology, tuning in to precisely what our customers need, and built up our software from the beginning.

Our Business Travel Platform lets you offer the best of both ease and business travel globes in a powerful and easy-to-use travel platform designed to meet the unique needs of the small and medium-sized business customers.

Promote your brand online, ensuring your customers can reach you whenever they need it, with booking capability around the clock.

The best thing is, you can hang out this new self- stamped online business platform in days -Handling the power, reliability, and flexibility of demonstrated Travelopro technology.

Our Business Travel Platform is user-friendly, with less portal maintenance costs through the use of self-registration. 

Travelopro, you can be ensured that you’re never on your own. We offer unparalleled help with neighborhood groups 'on the ground' that comprehend your business and speak your language.

There are such a large number of people groups who are now present in the market for maintaining their travel business . Therefore, every person in the market wants to improve their online visibility and traffic.

Marketing your business to the customers is an important part of being a travel business.

So, if you are looking further to enhance your online tour & travel business in the travel industry then hire Travel Portal platform organization which allows you to provide healthy business and ROI.

By providing the best business travel platform development services we strive to improve the customer's capability, therefore helping them achieve their targets. 

The primary goal behind travel platform development is to upgrade the business territory for those who are managing in this travel business field and in the mean-time to help the online customers who visit such platform with the hope to access the related service.

Our business travel platform development company gives you the best solutions in the travel industry so that you could offer your client's best deals in all travel tickets and tour packages.

We provide B2C and B2B travel portal development for travel agents, tour operators, and travel companies across the world.

Our Travel Portal Development affords the entire architected B2C and B2B portal improvement solution with user-friendly admin modules.

Our promise is to offer a throughout travel portal solution with different valuable features. This will ensure to give you a key to your achievement in the online travel industry.

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If there is one thing you do today, get your travel business online. everyone are talking of going online. provide yourself and your agents with their own b2b/b2c booking engine. travelopro platform consist of many components assembled to get your one stop travel software and travel technology, to automate travel business process and configured in many ways to meet your business goals. here's what you'll get (its affordable, easy and profitable)..

Destination

Fetaures of Online Reservation System:

• Fast and Flexible booking engine
• Secure, scalable and robust reservation architecture
• Fully customized booking engine
• Cost-effective solutions
• User friendly interface
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• Multi-language support

Travel Technology Platform You can trust

Powered by our Industry Leading Travel Technology – Including complete inventory and Global Fares – Travelopro gives you the highest quality travel technology solution to power your brand.

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Here is a free business plan sample for a travel agency.

Have you ever envisioned launching your own travel agency but feel overwhelmed about where to start? You've landed in the perfect spot.

In the following paragraphs, we will guide you through a comprehensive sample business plan tailored for a travel agency.

As an aspiring entrepreneur, you're likely aware that a meticulously developed business plan is crucial for achieving success. It serves as a roadmap, outlining your vision, objectives, and strategies for your venture.

To craft an effective plan swiftly and with ease, you can utilize our travel agency business plan template. Additionally, our specialists are on hand to provide a free review and refinement of your plan.

How to draft a great business plan for your travel agency?

A good business plan for a travel agency must reflect the unique aspects of the travel industry.

To start, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the travel market. This includes up-to-date statistics and identifying emerging trends in travel, as illustrated in our travel agency business plan template .

Your business plan should then articulate your vision clearly. Define your target market (such as adventure travelers, luxury vacationers, corporate clients, or budget backpackers), and establish your travel agency's unique value proposition (specialized tours, personalized itineraries, eco-friendly travel, etc.).

Market analysis is the next important section. This requires a thorough understanding of the competitive landscape, travel trends, and consumer behavior.

For a travel agency, it is essential to detail the services you plan to offer. Describe your range of travel products - package tours, custom itineraries, travel insurance, booking services - and explain how they cater to the preferences and requirements of your target customers.

The operational plan is also vital. It should outline the location of your agency, the structure of your customer service and booking system, partnerships with travel providers, and the logistics of trip planning.

For a travel agency, it is important to highlight your expertise in destination knowledge, customer service excellence, and the ability to handle travel disruptions.

Then, delve into your marketing and sales strategy. How will you attract and retain clients? Consider promotional tactics, customer loyalty programs, and cross-selling opportunities (such as travel insurance or add-on excursions).

Embracing digital strategies, like maintaining a robust website or an active social media presence, is also critical in the digital age.

The financial plan is another crucial component. This should include your startup costs, revenue projections, operating expenses, and the point at which you will break even.

In a travel agency, margins can vary widely depending on the type of service, so precise financial planning and a solid understanding of your profit centers are essential. For assistance, refer to our financial forecast for a travel agency .

Compared to other business plans, a travel agency's plan must pay special attention to global travel trends, currency fluctuations, and the impact of international events on travel.

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you clarify your strategy and vision but also attract investors or secure loans.

Lenders and investors are looking for comprehensive market research, realistic financial projections, and a clear operational strategy for managing a travel agency.

By presenting a thorough and substantiated plan, you showcase your professionalism and dedication to the success of your travel agency.

To achieve these goals while saving time, you can complete our travel agency business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a travel agency

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a travel agency .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The travel industry is a dynamic and lucrative sector with significant growth potential.

Before the pandemic, the global travel and tourism market was valued at approximately 9.25 trillion U.S. dollars. While the industry faced a downturn due to COVID-19, it is expected to recover and grow in the coming years, driven by pent-up demand and increased consumer confidence.

In the United States alone, the travel and tourism industry contributes substantially to the economy, with millions of international and domestic travelers spending billions annually.

These figures underscore the travel industry's resilience and its critical role in global economic development.

The travel industry is experiencing a transformation, with current trends shaping the future of how people explore the world.

Sustainable travel is becoming increasingly important, with travelers seeking eco-friendly options and destinations that prioritize conservation and community impact.

Personalization and unique experiences are also in high demand, as travelers look for tailor-made itineraries and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Technology plays a pivotal role, with virtual reality previews, mobile booking, and AI-powered personal assistants enhancing the travel experience.

Health and wellness tourism is on the rise, with destinations offering retreats and activities focused on physical and mental well-being.

Lastly, the demand for flexible booking options and comprehensive travel insurance has grown, as travelers seek security in uncertain times.

These trends highlight the evolving preferences of modern travelers and the need for travel agencies to adapt and innovate.

Success Factors

The success of a travel agency hinges on several critical factors.

Exceptional customer service is paramount, as personalized attention and expert advice can differentiate an agency in a crowded market.

Offering a diverse range of high-quality travel packages and services that cater to various preferences and budgets is also essential.

A strong online presence, with an intuitive booking platform and engaging content, can attract and retain customers in the digital age.

Strategic partnerships with reputable service providers, such as hotels and airlines, can enhance the value proposition and provide competitive pricing.

Lastly, the ability to adapt to industry changes and embrace new trends, such as sustainable travel and wellness tourism, is crucial for long-term success.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our travel agency project is designed to cater to the needs of modern travelers who seek unique and personalized travel experiences. Situated in a convenient location with a strong online presence, our agency will specialize in crafting tailor-made itineraries for individuals, families, and groups. We will focus on providing exceptional travel packages that include gluten-free dining options, ensuring that travelers with dietary restrictions can enjoy their journeys without compromise.

We aim to offer a seamless travel experience, from the planning stage to the return home, with an emphasis on customer satisfaction and attention to detail.

Our travel agency is set to become a go-to resource for those who value health-conscious travel options, as well as for adventurers looking to explore the world with the assurance of their dietary needs being met.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our travel agency is centered around delivering personalized and health-conscious travel experiences. We understand the challenges faced by travelers with dietary restrictions and are dedicated to providing gluten-free solutions as part of our travel packages.

Our commitment to customization, combined with our expertise in identifying gluten-free friendly accommodations and restaurants, offers peace of mind and an enjoyable travel experience to our clients.

We are dedicated to creating travel itineraries that not only meet the dietary needs of our customers but also enrich their lives through cultural immersion and adventure.

Our agency strives to be a leader in the niche market of health-conscious travel, offering innovative solutions and educational resources that empower our clients to travel freely and safely.

Project Owner

The project owner is a seasoned travel professional with a passion for exploring the world and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by travelers with dietary restrictions.

With years of experience in the travel industry and a personal commitment to healthy living, the owner is well-equipped to guide the agency in providing top-notch, gluten-free travel experiences.

Driven by a vision to make travel accessible and enjoyable for all, regardless of dietary needs, the owner is dedicated to building a travel agency that stands out for its personalized service, health-conscious options, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

With a blend of industry knowledge and a personal touch, the project owner is the driving force behind this innovative travel agency, aiming to transform the way people with dietary restrictions experience the world.

The Market Study

Market segments.

The market segments for this travel agency are diverse and cater to various customer needs.

First, there are adventure seekers looking for unique and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences, who value personalized itineraries.

Next, there are luxury travelers who desire premium, all-inclusive vacation packages with high-end accommodations and exclusive services.

The market also includes budget-conscious travelers who seek affordable yet memorable trips, often in groups or as solo travelers.

Finally, corporate clients represent a significant segment, requiring professional travel arrangements for business trips, conferences, and team-building retreats.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of this travel agency project highlights several key factors.

Strengths include a knowledgeable team with expertise in travel planning, strong partnerships with service providers, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Weaknesses might involve the volatility of the travel industry, dependency on economic factors, and the challenge of maintaining competitive pricing.

Opportunities can be found in the growing trend of experiential travel, the potential for digital marketing to reach a global audience, and the ability to offer niche travel packages.

Threats include unpredictable global events affecting travel, such as pandemics or political instability, and the intense competition from online travel agencies and direct booking platforms.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis in the travel agency sector indicates a highly competitive landscape.

Direct competitors include other local and online travel agencies, as well as larger travel companies with extensive marketing budgets.

These competitors strive to capture the attention of various traveler demographics by offering deals, loyalty programs, and comprehensive travel services.

Potential competitive advantages for our agency include personalized customer service, unique travel packages, expertise in niche markets, and strong relationships with reputable service providers.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of competitors is crucial for crafting strategies that emphasize our unique selling propositions and foster customer loyalty.

Competitive Advantages

Our travel agency's competitive edge lies in our personalized approach to crafting travel experiences that resonate with individual client preferences.

We offer tailored travel solutions, from adventure tours to luxury getaways, ensuring that each trip is a perfect fit for our clients' desires and budgets.

Our dedication to customer service excellence allows us to build lasting relationships with our clients, securing repeat business and referrals.

We also pride ourselves on our insider knowledge of destinations, which enables us to provide exclusive experiences not readily available through other channels.

You can also read our articles about: - how to start a travel agency: a complete guide - the customer segments of a travel agency - the competition study for a travel agency

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the travel agency is designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers.

In the first year, we will concentrate on building a robust online presence and developing personalized travel packages that cater to niche markets, including eco-tourism and adventure travel.

The second year will focus on establishing partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tour operators to offer exclusive deals and expanding our service offerings to include corporate and group travel.

In the third year, we aim to enhance our customer service with the introduction of a mobile app for itinerary management and real-time travel assistance, as well as exploring the possibility of opening branch offices in key cities.

Throughout this period, we will remain dedicated to providing exceptional travel experiences, maintaining strong customer relationships, and staying ahead of industry trends.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our travel agency targets a diverse range of customers, from solo travelers and families to corporate clients and adventure seekers.

Our value proposition is centered on delivering tailor-made travel experiences, exceptional customer service, and competitive pricing.

We offer our services through a user-friendly online platform, complemented by personalized consultation from our travel experts.

Key activities include travel planning, booking management, and customer support.

Our revenue streams are generated from service fees, commission from partners, and premium travel package sales, while our costs are associated with marketing, technology infrastructure, and staff salaries.

Find a complete and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is built on creating memorable travel experiences and establishing a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction.

We plan to engage with our target audience through storytelling and sharing travel success stories across various digital platforms.

Partnerships with travel influencers and the use of targeted advertising will help us reach a wider audience.

We will also offer loyalty programs and referral incentives to encourage repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Lastly, attending travel expos and networking events will allow us to build industry relationships and stay connected with market trends.

Risk Policy

Our risk policy focuses on mitigating risks associated with travel disruptions, customer satisfaction, and industry volatility.

We will offer flexible booking options and comprehensive travel insurance to protect our clients against unforeseen events.

Regular training for staff on the latest travel advisories and safety protocols will ensure informed and safe travel planning.

Prudent financial management and maintaining a diversified portfolio of travel products will help us navigate economic fluctuations.

We will also secure liability insurance to cover any potential travel-related disputes, prioritizing the safety and satisfaction of our clients.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are committed to launching a travel agency that adapts to the dynamic preferences of today's travelers.

With our focus on personalized experiences, customer care, and strategic partnerships, we are poised to capture a significant share of the travel market.

We are enthusiastic about making travel planning seamless and enjoyable, contributing to memorable journeys for our clients while growing a successful business.

We are flexible in our approach and ready to adapt to the ever-changing travel landscape, looking forward to a bright future in the travel industry.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a travel agency - the marketing strategy for a travel agency

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a travel agency and our financial plan for a travel agency .

Initial expenses for our travel agency include securing a prime location for our office, investing in robust travel booking software, creating an engaging website for online reservations, obtaining the necessary licenses and insurance, training staff on various travel destinations and customer service excellence, as well as costs related to brand creation and launching targeted marketing campaigns to reach our ideal clientele.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough analysis of the travel market, considering trends in tourism, consumer vacation spending habits, and the unique value proposition of our personalized travel planning services.

We anticipate progressively increasing sales, starting modestly and growing as the reputation of our travel agency strengthens and our customer base expands.

The projected income statement indicates expected revenues from our travel booking commissions, service fees, and customized travel packages, minus the costs of operations (staff wages, office rent, marketing, utilities, etc.).

This results in a forecasted net profit essential for assessing the long-term viability of our travel agency.

The projected balance sheet reflects assets specific to our business, such as office equipment, software, and prepaid travel inventory, and liabilities including debts and anticipated operational expenses.

It shows the overall financial health of our travel agency at the end of each fiscal period.

Our projected cash flow budget details incoming and outgoing cash flows, allowing us to anticipate our financial needs at any given time. This will enable us to manage our finances effectively and maintain a healthy cash reserve.

The projected financing plan lists the specific financing sources we plan to use to cover our startup expenses, such as business loans, investor capital, or personal savings.

The working capital requirement for our travel agency will be closely monitored to ensure we have the necessary funds to finance our daily operations, including marketing efforts, office expenses, and staff salaries.

The break-even point specific to our project is the level of sales needed to cover all our costs, including startup expenses, and begin generating a profit.

It will indicate when our business is expected to become financially sustainable.

Performance indicators we will track include the profit margin on our travel packages, the customer satisfaction rate to gauge service quality, the liquidity ratio to assess our ability to cover short-term obligations, and the return on investment to measure the efficiency of our capital invested in the agency.

These indicators will help us evaluate the financial health and overall success of our travel agency.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a travel agency .

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A Complete Guide to Setting Up a Successful B2C Travel Portal

Did you know that there are over 148 million travel bookings made annually? It is estimated that  700 million  people will make a booking online by 2023. Travel and tourism are a sector with many players. Running a B2C travel portal successfully in such a competitive sphere is a trial all by itself.  The easiest way to stand out is by using technology.   

Getting more customers is going to be tough, especially post covid pandemic. So, facing these challenges head-on and armed with technology is the way forward. Let’s take a look at what the key challenges are;   

What are the key challenges faced by B2C travel companies?   

1. cost of technology  .

A B2C portal needs robust technology to function well. If you want to set up a B2C Travel Portal there are multiple costs involved.  

• SupplierLicenses – Bank guarantees, CAP licenses.    
• Payment Gateways – Initial sign-up costs.  
• Travel Technology Provider – Platform license fee, initial set-up cost, maintenance fees.  
• Hosting – Dedicated hosting, server licenses, security protocols, certifications, etc. 

All these factors constitute a huge cost for any travel company to start an online travel agency. High cost of tech is a challenge for many companies.  

2. Engaging Customers  

Getting customers is only half the battle won, the other half is making them stay and getting their repeat business. Keeping customers engaged is easy when you have:   

• A website that loads across various devices, is fast, efficient, and provides information, content, and pleasing imagery.  
• Value-added programs like loyalty modules, coupons, discounts, and offers which help customers get the most out of their travel expenses.  
• Data Security & Safety  is a huge concern and people will stop using your online service if they feel you are reusing their data in any manner.   

All of this needs good technology to power it. Without anything to keep customers glued to your portal, you will lose their interest. 

3. Providing the best deals  

It takes only 30 seconds to check the price of a hotel on a competitive website. In such a competitive world, your pricing and discount strategy needs to beat your competition.   

As a B2C travel company, you can provide the best deals to your customers only when you have the best deals from your suppliers. It’s important to have the best inventory and the best coupons modules to ensure that your customers have no reasons to stray.   

4. Stand out from the competition  

Travel and tourism are one of the most competitive sectors. There are many travel portals vying for your customer’s attention. It is important to stand out from the mundane and retain customer loyalty. Give  them a reason to never choose your competitor over you.   

What are the challenges in post-pandemic travel?  

Covid pandemic brought the almost trillion-dollar industry to a grinding halt. Adapting to the new way of life is the way to move forward. Now that vaccination is here, people are traveling again. Here are a few concerns that the travel industry must address.   

• Hygiene and safety will remain the topmost priority.    
• Transfer services must be clean, have socially distanced seating, sanitizers, and masks during travel.  
• Hotels must inform about their hygiene and safety rules.   
• Follow rules and laws of the local government.   
• Customers want to know exactly what they are paying for.  
• Preferences of type of hotels and stays is changing.
• Duration of stay and search windows are changing.  

How can you build a strong B2C travel business?  

Budling a strong B2C travel portal that is successful depends on many factors. While building a B2C Travel Business, you need to answer the following questions:   

• What is the core objective of your business?
• What are you offering to your customers?
• What are the key differentiators from your competition?
• Why should customers come back to you?

Once you have answers to these questions, it helps your make very informed decisions in building your business and choosing the right partners and suppliers.   

For example , if your B2C Travel Agency is going to offer a handpicked range of villas, private properties, and choicest activities to your customers, the overall set-up of your B2C Travel Portal will be completely different as compared to a full-service agency.   

Let us look at the factors that will help you build a successful online travel portal:   

1. understanding your customer  .

Know who your target audience are. Understand your travel audience, their needs, and goals to offer the best possible service.  

Create a complete profile of your target audience and their preferences.   

Creating this kind of profile helps in understanding your customers well and choosing what’s right for your business.  

2. Services  

Once you have created your customer profile, all you need to do is to ensure you pick the services and modules most important to them.   

It’s important to have a robust inventory built with the help of the best suppliers. This way you can offer your customer a variety of options to choose from.  

For example: Having a Transfer and Car Rental Module in addition to hotels, will help you serve business travellers in the best possible way.   

3. Choosing the right travel technology partner  

Technology can make or break your dream B2C travel portal. Find a technology partner that can help you scale your business.   

Look for a travel technology supplier that offers the widest range of  partners , integration possibilities & features . A great travel technology provider will have:   

• A wide array of customers in their portfolio.  
• Comprehensive set of features and services that help you build all your services.  
• Strong supplier network across all categories.  
• Excellent reputation in the market with a long history of good technology innovation.  
• Superior after-sales service and support structure.  
• Most importantly continuously innovating to provide you with next-gen technology solutions.  

4. The X factor  

The X factor is something unique to your portal. This could be very helpful in attracting new customers and retaining old ones. It could be a loyalty program, price comparison availability, guided booking, etc.  

For example,  You can have a live video call-based guided booking process where customers can be guided by one of your agents live.  Or You can have an spend analytics on your platform, which helps customers to track their planned vs actual spends for a particular trip.  The X factor helps you stand out from the competition.   

5. Go Live and Promotions     

Once you have set up your Online Travel Portal, you need to ensure it is discovered and seen by your audiences. For which you need to leverage practices like:  

• Excellent content and documentation on your platform.  
• Leverage SEO and digital marketing tools to make it more search-friendly.  
• Market your B2C Travel booking system platform through organic and paid social media.  
• Create and share content that is relevant and shareable for your customers.  

6. Mobile App for B2C Travel Agency  

Any B2C Travel Business is incomplete without a Mobile App . Build a mobile app that allows you to:  

• Provide personalized services and offers to your customers.  
• Gives them access to exclusive deals and content.  
• Provide localized information and alerts.  
• Gives access to their travel history and booking details on the go.  

Having a powerful travel mobile app that offers all the services like the web can add critical revenues to your business and generate high customer loyalty.  

How does OTRAMS Power your B2C Travel Portal?  

Here is the OTRAMS Value Promise:   

1. scalability  .

Growing your business is important and you need a platform that is ready to scale without any limitations. OTRAMS offers:   

• Access to over 500,000+ hotels, 900+ Airlines, and much more. 
• It has over 600+ in-built features for all your business needs.  
• You can quickly ramp up your services and hosting in a matter of clicks.   

2. Reliability  

You need a reliable entity to store your data securely. Your company and portal will have access to information that is sensitive. This data is important to both your organization and your customers. With OTRAMS you have:  

• SSL security and PCI DSS compliant website. 
• Along with cloud hosting, your data is secured by a daily backup. 
• Your data is completely secure with OTRAMS.   

3. Customer Experience  

One of the most important business objectives is to provide an excellent customer experience, with OTRAMS you get:   

• Multi-lingual capabilities to services across different languages.
• Online currency converter, you can service the country in its local currency. 
• In-built content management system to create your own blogs, SEO-friendly content.
• Itinerary builder and export to PDF.
• Value-added solutions like loyalty programs and coupons, discounts to get repeat business.  

4. New Opportunities  

• Your online travel portal can incorporate new geographical locations easily making it possible for you to provide travel solutions to new locations.   
• Add new service verticals based on their preference, appoint a GSA or a white label agent easily  
• Provide your API through XML/JSON out to another travel entity.  

OTRAMS readily provides these opportunities that can boost your revenue stream.   

5. Business Performance  

Drive predictable business performance with 100% control over operations, margins, and best-performing channels. OTRAMS is built for insights-driven decision-making. It Provides:  

• Business Intelligence Reports.  
• End-to-End Agent Management.  
• Loyalty Programs for Agents.  
• Accounting System integration.
• Powerful Mid and Back Office.

Offer more to your customers  

With OTRAMS, get access to the best of  suppliers .  OTRAMS offers a choice of more than 190 suppliers to choose from, across various categories ranging from accommodation, flights, transfers, car rental, activities, cruises, and more. We are also the certified partner for Expedia , Amadeus , Sabre , and some of the other biggest suppliers in the industry.  OTRAMS can help you  build a good inventory that will help you offer the best deal to your customers and keep them engaged  

Rise above competition   

Use technology to be better than your competition. OTRAMS gives you the   opportunity to Leverage new technologies. Offer your customers coupon modules, loyalty modules, booking optimization, services like  re-Pushti   with OTRAMS. 

OTRAMS is the world’s leading travel ERP platform which helps travel companies boost their revenue with the best of technology. Our technology solutions for your travel portal can open up new avenues for your business. To know more schedule a meeting with our  experts .  

Our Solutions

• DMC Software
• Travel Management Software | B2B Booking Engine
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• OTRAMS GO Plan

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Travel Tour Agency Business Plan

Start your own travel tour agency business plan

Sephats Tours

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">, opportunity.

The tourism industry has undergone rapid growth of unsurpassed nature over the last several decades. This has mainly been due to the advent of a ‘borderless’ world and increased information dissemination about the majestic sceneries throughout the world, with the southern African region being no exception.

Sephats Tours intends to provide individual and group travel to leisure clients. Services and products provided by Sephats will initially include pre-arranged tours, custom packages according to clients specifications, travel consultation, and as time progresses making reservations for lodging amongst other related services. Sephats Tours seeks to differentiate itself as the premier adventure travel company in the greater Gaborone (Botswana) area.

We will be focusing on those foreign tourists seeking leisure travel and excursions whilst on vacation in Botswana, with the intention of letting them see and appreciate the numerous attractions in our country. Though we realize that the majority of our tourists come from South Africa we shall be mainly targeting those from Europe and the Americas who often do not have transport or adequate knowledge about the country, unlike their South African counterparts who often do. Hence we shall be mainly targeting those who are not that mobile but wanting to see as many sites as possible. These people often do not want to waste their money on hiring vehicles to move about by themselves, but instead want to be escorted around places of interest by a reliable source. Hence the need to professionally market ourselves and the services we provide, offering a service of uncompromised nature.

Competition

We have identified competing companies, some firmly established, that fill the same needs as Sephats Tours. We intend to market ourselves in such a way that with time competitor customers will choose our service over competitors’ on the basis of our higher quality and informative excursions. 

Sephats Tours is poised to take advantage of this growth and moderate competition in the city travel portion of the industry, with a dedicated and experienced staff, excellent networking, and effective management and marketing. Sephats Tours intends to provide travel and adventure packages to tourists primarily in the Southern region, but also the whole of Botswana. Services and products provided by Sephats will initially include pre-arranged tours, custom packages according to clients specifications, travel consultation, and as time progresses making reservations for lodging amongst other related services. Sephats Tours seeks to differentiate itself as the premier adventure mobile operator in the greater Gaborone area.

Expectations

We foresee a slow initial growth in sales, as we strive to ensure we are known on the market, though operating expenses will be relatively high, and a bump in our sales and revenue generation as we spread our services during expansion.

Collection days are very important. We do not want to let our average collection days get above the client’s actual subscription period under any circumstances. This could cause a serious problem with cash flow, because our working capital situation is chronically tight. However, we recognize that we cannot control this factor easily, because of the relationship we wish to create with our clients.

Financial Highlights by Year

Financing needed.

We wil have 2 investors that will contribute: 

investor 1 – P100,000

investor 2 – P102.000

This will cover all our necessary expenses until we are able to start making a net profit 

Problem & Solution

Problem worth solving.

The tourism industry has undergone rapid growth of unsurpassed nature over the last several decades. This has mainly been due to the advent of a ‘borderless’ world and increased information dissemination about the majestic sceneries throughout the world, with the southern African region being no exception. Customers want to travel, to see the world. They are in need of a company where they can enjoy the sites and the luxuries without having to pay a huge price. 

Our Solution

Sephats Tours intends to provide individual and group travel to leisure clients. Services and products provided by Sephats will initially include pre-arranged tours, custom packages according to clients specifications, travel consultation, and as time progresses making reservations for lodging amongst other related services. Sephats Tours seeks to differentiate itself as the premier adventure travel company in the greater Gaborone area. Customers will think we are well worth the expense 

As it grows it will take on people and expand into related markets and services. It will also look for additional leverage by establishing relationships and representations with appropriate strategic allies.

Target Market

Market size & segments.

We will be focusing on those foreign tourists seeking leisure travel and excursions whilst on vacation in Botswana, with the intention of letting them see and appreciate the numerous attractions in our country. Though we realize that the majority of our tourists come from South Africa we shall be mainly targeting those from Europe and the Americas who often do not have transport or adequate knowledge about the country, unlike their South African counterparts who often do. Hence we shall be mainly targeting those who are not that mobile but wanting to see as many sites as possible. These people often do not want to waste their money on hiring vehicles to move about by themselves, but instead want to be escorted around places of interest by a reliable source. Hence the need to professionally market ourselves and the services we provide, offering a service of uncompromised nature. />Our marketing strategy will be based mainly on making the right service(s) available to the right target customer. We will ensure that our services’ prices take into consideration organizations’ and peoples’ budgets, and that these people know that we exist, appreciate the value of our services, and how to contact us. The marketing will convey the sense of quality in every picture, every promotion, and every publication. Our intension will be to target those individuals and groups looking for leisure activities and places to visit. We realize the need to focus our marketing message and our service offerings. We need to develop our message, communicate it, and make good on it. The decision to establish strategic alliances with several hotels, lodges and travel agencies is aimed at tapping our target market effectively and efficiently.

Current Alternatives

We have identified competing companies, some firmly established, that fill the same needs as Sephats Tours. We intend to market ourselves in such a way that with time competitor customers will choose our service over competitors’ on the basis of our higher quality and informative excursions. A more thorough outline of our main competitors including their strengths and weaknesses follows:

• XXX:  Located on the first floor of the G Hotel, Gear Adventures specializes in tailor-made safaris throughout Botswana and her neighboring countries. Gear Adventures offers Mobile Wilderness Safaris, Weekend Adventures, One-day explorations and safari operators. Of particular concern to us are the day tours around Gaborone that it offers to G Hotel guests. Research indicated that Gear Adventures is the only operator that offers day trips in and around Gaborone. Several of its services include: [details omitted].
• YYY:  Arguably one of the most reputable companies in our intended line of business. It has a fleet of nineteen buses comprising two semi-luxury B7 Volvo train-buses, six semi-luxury B7 Volvo, five M/Benz, four Nissan and two DAF buses. All the Volvo buses have radio facilities, and one of the train-buses has toilet facilities. With close to twenty years of experience Mr. K supported by his wife, Mrs. K, are achieving most of what they envisioned when they started their business-to provide a nation-wide road transport service renowned for its efficiency and reliability. The recent launch of a new imported South American double-decker luxury bus serves as testimony of their continued dedication towards providing a good service to their clients.

• ZZZ:  Similar to YYY, Z is well respected in the market with a large fleet of buses. As well as providing daily transport to Selebi Phikwe and several towns it also provides local and international trips by hire. However they lack the marketing edge and foreign tourist focus we intend to have.

Upon closer analysis of the above competitors it may be observed that the majority of these are offering safari excursions, and this represents an opportunity to be realized by us. According to the Central Statistics Office there are approximately 81 travel agents, tour operators and safari operators in Botswana at present, the majority of which have a South African background either in directorship or actual origin.

Our Advantages

Our advantages are best described as our strengths: 

• Diversified client base:  This will reduce our dependency on one particular market.
• Combination of skills in employees:  The directors intend to engage well-qualified and experienced employees to jointly develop business strategy and long-term plans, so as to attain company objectives.
• Extensive advertising and marketing:  The company will undertake extensive advertising and marketing, promoting both its name as well as service/product awareness. Hence an aggressive and focused marketing campaign with clear goals and strategies shall be one of our mainstays.

Keys to Success

The keys to Sephats Tours success will undoubtedly be effective market segmentation through identification of several niche markets and implementation strategies. Along these lines the company intends to implement advertising, personal selling and direct marketing strategies to the target markets. Our personal selling marketing strategies will rotate around keeping in touch with hotels and travel agencies for major customers, and advertising for more individual customers. Hence our key success factors will include the following:

• Excellence in fulfilling the promise:  We intend to offer completely enjoyable, comfortable and informative travel excursions that will ensure that travelers are thoroughly satisfied and appreciative at the end of their trip.
• Timely response to customers’ requests:  We cannot afford to delay our clients for whatever reason, as this will have a negative bearing on our image and reputation, including future business. Hence we need to be continually communicating with the client, including hotels and lodges so as to ensure that we are constantly available to the client meeting their expectations.
• Solid and fruitful strategic alliances:  Considering the nature of our services and our relative infancy on the market, we realize the importance of establishing and maintaining fruitful strategic alliances with various stakeholders, including hotels, lodges, and travel agencies, amongst others, so as be assured of a constant flow of customers, fulfilling their needs at every opportunity.
• Marketing know-how:  As a relatively new company on the market there will be a need to aggressively market our business and the services we provide so as to be continuously at the top of our prospective clients minds. This will also act as a temporary deterrent for companies contemplating entering our market. Advertising shall be undertaken on a regular basis.

Marketing & Sales

Marketing plan.

One core element of our strategy will be that of differentiation from our competitors. In terms of marketing we intend to ensure that our name and services are marketed on an extensive basis so that customers are aware of our existence. We will have a Social Media Strategy. We will be in Twitter, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn. We will run promotions and sales and have our customers tell us their favorite vacations, and experiences and they will talk to each other. In price, we intend to offer reasonable and competitive prices in comparison to competition and we need to be able to sustain that. Our service marketing will strive to ensure that we establish long relationships with clients.

For the short term at least, the selling process will depend on personal selling/networking and advertising to lure and inform potential customers about the services we offer and the benefits of utilizing our services. Our marketing does not intend to affect the perception of need as much as knowledge and awareness of the service category.

Locations & Facilities

At present the company offices are located at Plot Number 28338, Block 3, Belabela road opposite Gaborone Television Station, near Hill Crest Primary School. However, as time progresses the intention is to move into more accessible and attractive offices in a prime area. This regardless of the fact that our type of business is not too dependent on office location and size.

Sephats Tours will strive to ensure that it contains the latest, or extremely recent personal computer including relevant software so as to ensure that the company is continuously at the forefront in our market arena. The one certainty in our industry is that technology will continue to evolve and develop, changing what we market as well as how we market it. Our aim will be to be aware of the implications of this new technology and utilizing it in our existing framework where possible. However it should be noted that as we are new on the market it will take some time before we have in place our own website and other multimedia presentations. With time we also intend to have the latest and most efficient software in place to enable smooth operations.

Milestones & Metrics

Key metrics.

Our Key metrics are:

• Tours sold (units, growth from month to month and year to year)
• Tourists per tour (average, and changes over time)
• Revenue per tour
• Revenue per tourist
• Total tourist prospects (estimates)
• Facebook likes
• Twitter follows

Ownership & Structure

Sephats Tours is a Private Limited company incorporated at the Registrar of Companies through the foresight and vision of Mr. X and Mrs. Y. It is a 100% wholly owned Botswana firm.

Management Team

The founders of Sephats Tours are passionate about the activities it will promote and offer on the market. Management style will reflect the participation of the directors/shareholders. The company intends to respect its community and treat all employees well. We will develop and nurture the company as community. However we realize that we are not fully conversant in tourism and as such intend to engage experienced staff as well as undergo a training course from a reputable institution.

The Managing Director’s experience in public commercial transportation and government will assist in the establishment of good networks. He also has attended a course in Auto Mechanics at X Centre that will assist in servicing the vehicles. However acknowledging the importance of continuous training and improvement the Managing Director intends to undergo a course in Travel and Tourism so as to be fully conversant in the field, as well as obtain knowledge of the latest developments in the industry.

Personnel Table

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

Key assumptions.

Some of the more important underlying assumptions are:

• We assume a strong economy, without major recession.
• We assume, of course, that there are no unforeseen changes in economic policy to make our service immediately obsolete or unwanted.

Revenue by Month

Expenses by month, net profit (or loss) by year, use of funds.

Thus far we have purchased a Mercedes Benz mini bus to run tours for our customers, for P167,00, which was purchased with P32,000 down and the rest on a 5-year 6% loan. Other start-up expenses covered include  legal costs, business plan compilation, license costs and related expenses. 

START-UP REQUIREMENTS

Start-up Expenses

• Legal P1,000
• Logo, branding. P500
• Website, collaterals P700
• Consultants P1,200
• Insurance P800

TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES P5,000

Sources of Funds

We have 2 investors, investor 1 is investing P100,000, investor 2 is investing 102,000. 

Projected Profit & Loss

Projected Balance Sheet

Projected Cash Flow Statement

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Online Travel Portal: The Future of Travel Business

Sulabh Chauhan

When was the last time you visited a travel agency office to book your travel ticket? Or to understand holiday packages to pick from? Well, I am sure it was a long time back when the online travel business was in its nascent stage. This was a time when it wasn’t widely accepted and popular because people had apprehensions about such transactions being fraudulent.

Well, that time has passed and the online travel business is a thriving industry today. Big players like Airbnb, Expedia, Booking.com, etc., have revolutionized the travel industry. They have made online travel services reliable and secure and therefore gained people’s trust and support.

After a drop in 2020 due to COVID-19, the online travel agency sector worldwide is forecast to snowball again. According to Statista, it is forecast to touch $ 820.18 bn by 2023. It is clear that the online travel business is a booming industry and will continue to be so.

Rising to the occasion, even small travel agency owners are also looking to go online. For them, an online travel portal can be an ideal fit. It is because it lets them manage their agents, partners, and customers centrally and efficiently.

If you also run a travel company or are looking to start one, this post is for you. In this post, you are going to learn about the importance of an online travel portal in detail. You’ll also know the features you must seek in a travel portal.

Benefits of an Online Travel Portal

A travel portal based on your CRM can help manage your travel business easily. For example, a SuiteCRM customer portal for your travel business would be suitable if you use SuiteCRM. And Salesforce portal for Salesforce-based organization, and so on.

Reduced Running Costs

If you run a travel company, hiring several travel agents to explain tour packages and booking tickets may be costly. Instead, a SuiteCRM customer portal or any other portal for your travel business can save you expenses.

Moreover, you can also cut down the effort of maintaining records of all costumes in spreadsheets. This is because you can view all your customers’ and agents’ details centrally and manage them better with a travel portal.

Real-Time Access

A travel portal provides real-time access to all details like prices of tour packages, hotels, rental services, flights, etc. to your customers. Customers can also vet and compare the prices of hotels and packages during peak season and normal times. It helps them make a more informed choice of a tour package, hotel, etc.

Customer Care Support

A travel portal helps customers communicate and convey issues easily via a chat or call option. This helps customers get quick solutions to their travel-related issues or answers to queries. For providing the utmost customer satisfaction you can integrate these hotel API providers in your online travel portal.

They can also get help in selecting the right package for their tour plan via customer care support. This way, a travel portal eliminates the need to call or visit a travel agency office for every small issue or query.

Enhanced Transparency and Convenience

An online travel portal helps display accurate fares with any hidden costs. This helps build customers’ trust in your company and connect with you more. A complete comprehensive breakdown of applicable charges brings more transparency.

Besides, booking tickets and packages online is convenient. Customers don’t have to visit any office or branch to book their tickets, hotels, or bus rental services. They can do it all right from within the portal. Using a portal for this also helps get a much clearer view of comparison metrics like pricing, amenities, etc. This saves both their time and money and enhances their experience. Similarly, customers can also easily cancel or reschedule a booking without calling the company’s office or visiting there.

All this helps takes customers’ convenience, and booking experience, to the next level.

Large Variety of Options

An online travel portal helps gain access to a large list of hotels, rental cars , flight or bus tickets, and tour packages. Customers can get numerous options to choose from unlike in the case of an offline travel agency.

All this is not feasible with a travel agent due to time constraints and limited knowledge available on the internet.

Features to Look for in a Travel Portal

The travel portal you pick should be easily accessible to the admin, agents, and customers.

A. For Admin

As the business owner and admin, you should have control over the complete management of your customers and agents. For that, there are a few admin features below that you must look for when picking a travel portal:

1. As an admin, the travel portal should allow you to view, manage, and update customers’ booking details on the fly.

2. You should also be able to manage hotel bookings easily and efficiently from within the travel portal. The portal should provide a centralized view of all bookings to help you get better visibility and avoid any errors.

3. There should be a built-in process for the online identification of customers within the portal. It will help you avoid the hassle of manual identity verification after check-ins.

4. The portal should allow you to manage tour packages and their details like prices in real-time. You should offer the best tour package recommendations based on your customers’ preferences and budget.

B. For Agents

If you provide an online travel service that supports individual travel agents and associates; your travel portal should have the following features:

1. Individual hospitality agents and associates should be able to manage their commission for every booking. The portal should also let them track total bookings and negotiate the commission to pay to you.

2. The portal should let travel and hospitality associates and agents implement the credit systems for customers. It will help increase repeat bookings and expand the customer base.

3. The portal should also facilitate offering discounts on bookings for agents to attract more online bookings. This way, they can also adjust the commission fee according to the overall profitability of your company.

C. For Customers

Last but not least, the travel portal you pick should be user-friendly for your customers.

1. The portal should make the booking experience seamless for customers. It should let them check for the availability of travel tickets on specific dates and book them.

2. There should be a choice of multiple payment options to book. The portal should also provide the option to save a payment method for future bookings for fast transactions.

3. There should be an exhaustive list of hotels, ratings, charges, and facilities displayed. Comparison and filter options should be there to allow customers to vet and pick a package carefully.

4. Your travel portal should let customers view travel booking history and update booking details. They should get to update, cancel, or reschedule their bookings without hassle.

Launch Your Travel Portal with CRMJetty

If you own a travel company and are looking for a travel portal, we’ve got you covered. Our development team can help you develop a travel portal based on your CRM.

We provide ready-to-integrate industry-specific SuiteCRM client portal, Salesforce portal, WordPress portal, etc. If you want to expand your existing portal’s capabilities, we can help you with that also. We can discuss your portal requirements, analyze the feasibility of development or customization, test limitations, and deliver the final portal.

All product and company names are trademarks™, registered® or copyright© trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

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How to Create a Successful Travel Agency Business Plan in 2023?

8 February 2023

Are you thinking about starting your travel agency? It’s great to have you here! There is continuous growth in the travel industry, and it is profitable. There is a growing willingness among people to explore new places, which is the main reason for this increase.

Travel agencies are flourishing online, showing that online travel agencies have a bright future. Nevertheless, conventional travel agents still have a broad range of opportunities. Most travel agents (around 60%) reported an increase in sales in previous years.

A few basics must follow when starting an online or offline travel agency. Many new and established travel agencies will compete with your new agency. Also, older agencies tend to be preferred by people. Therefore, getting noticed in the market would take a lot of work for your agency. You can run your travel agency successfully by knowing these basics.

Why open a travel agency?

Although, in recent times, people are using more and more online platforms to search for travel and vacation information or to buy tickets and packages, travel agencies still play a significant role in facilitating travel arrangements.

Travel agencies make holidays much easier for customers by eliminating all the hassle associated with buying tickets, choosing convenient packages, and providing useful information.

Ease of booking, saving time, trust: these are just some of the reasons why users decide to contact a travel agency and which explain why opening one is still worthwhile today. Not to mention that tourism operators are part of one of the future jobs, representing an interesting professional outlet.

Suppose you want to start your independent travel agency or work as part of a consortium. If you want to create an online agency rather than a traditional one, this guide will walk you through all the steps to follow and what it takes to open a travel agency.

What is a travel agency?

From a legal point of perspective, when we talk of a travel agent, the proper meaning should be ” the travel or tourism company, “which is a reference to both tour operators as well as travel agencies that include “companies which jointly or severally carry out production, organization, and intermediation of travel and stays and any other form of tourist service.

We indicate the movements of tourists who are in a particular area or country for tourism and want services from local tourism businesses.

While the thought of working while traveling sounds appealing, starting a travel agency does not mean you will be able to travel from one place to another daily. The primary function of people working for a travel company is to create the perfect plan of action for customer requests for a memorable holiday.

Each region has rules for establishing travel companies, so that the rules could differ between regions. In all cases, one of the requirements is to provide the SCIA (certified report of the commencement of business) to the municipality or the province in addition to the other required documents defined by a set of rules.

Common steps on how to start a travel agency

Find your niche.

Finding your niche market is the first step to starting a travel agency. Your travel agency name will be set up; you’ll build your brand and more. Choosing a niche for your travel agency will save you a lot of trouble if you start without one. Your specialty will be lost. A compass would make navigating in such a wide area possible.

It is common for new travel agency business owners to want to sell everything they can. As a result, they invite fierce competition from everywhere. As a startup with limited resources and experience, that’s not a wise decision.

Identify your niche market for travel. Since fewer operators operate in a specific market segment, competition is lower. The niche market has yet to see much so far. The growth potential is always good.

The selection of niche when opening a travel agency.

Research is the only way to find out. The first step is exploring the emerging travel needs that only some agencies can fulfill. Due to the small number of competitors in that niche, your agency has a high chance of success.

You may find out from market research that some newlywed couples prefer backpacking. They want to spend their days on something other than relaxing and conventionally on their honeymoon.

They prefer adventure-based destinations instead. Start offering special travel packages to these couples if you find that only some agencies do so. Maybe that’s what you’re good at. If you are considering starting a travel agency, you should do extensive research first.

Know your target audience

Knowing your target audience from the inside out is the key to starting a travel agency. By doing some online research, consider what demographic may be more interested in your agency’s services. Knowing the demographics will allow you to tailor your promotional efforts accordingly.

Analyzing your area’s demographic information is crucial when researching your audience. Starting a tour company can give you access to such data through your website or the city auditor’s office.

Your area of operations should also be examined for travel statistics. Analyze the number of people interested in your niche in your locality.

Have a good cash flow

Learn about your likely financial obligations before you start a travel agency. It may be necessary for you to pay insurance premiums and license fees. Taxes will also be due. Before starting an agency, you must have a solid cash flow.

Consider the potential income from your project as well. Travel market data and local demographics should serve as the basis for the data collection. You can determine the viability of your travel agency based on such information.

It would help if you also considered any unforeseen emergency expenditures. It would help if you had a cash reserve for all such expenditures. So, it may be possible for you to start a travel agency for free at first. However, you will soon have a lot of expenses.

Choose a travel agency name.

People need to be able to remember the name of your travel agency. The choice of a business name, however, is equally important and challenging. You don’t have to worry if you don’t have a name in mind for your business.

Business name generators and friends and family can help you come up with ideas for business names for a travel company. Your travel business name should be registered under the following:

• Records of federal and state trademarks
• State records of business
• Availability of web domains
• Platforms for social media

Before someone else secures the domain name of your choice, secure a name that you have finalized.

Cover all the legal aspects

Tour companies must comply with legal requirements when they operate. Travel agencies in the India are, however, easy to license. Testing, training, or qualification is not required.

To comply with federal laws, you must fill out a form. To start a travel agency in your state, you will need to research the laws of your state thoroughly. For more information about these laws, contact the host agency to learn about the registration and licensing processes. It is also necessary for you to obtain a Federal Tax ID number.

For your travel business, you also need to obtain a trademark. For example, you can use your logo as a trademark for your agency. You should, however, register your logo legally with the appropriate authorities once you create it.

Make an effective travel business plan.

You can keep your travel agency on the right track with an effective business plan. As you strive to run your agency successfully, it guides you. Having a rough idea of what you will do is separate from the business plan. It goes much deeper than that. Plan your strategy.

You must include some key points in your business plan for your travel agency. Analyze the market and develop sales strategies based on your findings. Remember to include your budget and funding requirements. To gain a clear understanding of your business goals, your business description must be precise.

Besides these points, consider including some others. Identify the resources you have available to start a travel agency in your business plan. While identifying any constraints you may face while running the company, you should also identify any strengths. The plan should also include your strategy for removing obstacles.

Set practical travel business goals

You may instantly set higher goals when you start your travel agency. Aiming for unrealistic goals may lead to your agency achieving very little.

When a travel agency starts, experts suggest setting a realistic sales target and keeping it low. Take into account your expenses, costs, and salary. Your earnings from sales will be any additional money you receive after setting aside this amount.

Hire efficient staff

As you consider how to start a travel agency, you may only require a few people to assist you. For online booking, you will still need some staff. Employ help if you run your agency from an office outside your home.

However, ensure that the employees you hire have some experience. You can save a great deal of time when you have such employees working for you.

Have a dedicated website for your agency

Online bookings are the most common method of making travel arrangements. Your travel agency must have a website or portal. People can reach out to your agency from anywhere at any time.

However, ensure your travel agency website stands out with its design and imagery. Well-designed websites can help you stand out in a competitive niche like travel.

Your website should contain all the relevant and updated information for your target audience. Show your expertise in the field and educate your visitors here. Your agency will appear more professional with such an effort.

You should include essential pages on your website, such as About Us, Services, Pricing, Destinations, and Customer Grievances. A website with too many images may also take longer to load. Your potential visitors may therefore click the other agency links. When thinking about starting a travel agency, keep this in mind.

Set competitive prices

Considering pricing is another crucial aspect of starting a travel agency. Avoid following established agencies’ pricing structures. There are some enticing services they offer, and they have loyal customers.

There needs to be more information about your travel agency since it’s a new company. As a new entrant to the travel industry, you should be careful not to set too high a price. Rather than raising your price, you should lower it as much as possible.

The profit margin is not important at this stage. Turning first-time visitors into loyal customers should be your goal. Put your pricing packages at a competitive level or lower than your competitors. You can increase your prices and profit margins as your business grows.

Acquire funds

Planning your funding strategy is crucial when starting a travel agency. Even if you start a small travel business from home, it still requires a constant cash flow. You can probably get the support you need from your family members if you want to work from home.

However, you may need to apply for a bank loan if you need to hire staff, set up an office, and market your business online and offline. The marketing and creation of promotional materials will require a lot of funds. A professional website design, for instance, requires dedicated funds.

Do some branding exercises.

Branding plays a significant role in starting a travel agency. Perception is everything when selling your company’s products and services.

High-quality visuals, like an impressive logo design, can help build a positive perception. They create brochures, travel agency business cards, and other items. Keep all visuals consistent in terms of colors and typefaces. Customer perception of your travel products and services will be positively impacted if you can convey your brand message through these products.

Run well-made promotional campaigns

It is possible that your travel business will not run smoothly at first. Perhaps your business is experiencing some sluggishness or fewer sales. Your travel agency is not well known to everyone, so you must run a marketing campaign that targets your audience aggressively. First, you need to inform them that your small travel business exists.

Investing in digital marketing or building your SEO team depends on your financial resources. Links can be built, guest posts can appear, reputations can be managed, and other aspects of your online presence can also manage by them.

Make sure your travel brand is visible through all marketing channels and strategies. You can use social media, leaflets, brochures, and newspapers, among other advertising methods.

Put your agency on social channels.

On social media, people love to post pictures of their travels. Social media allows you to reach your target audience! Start a travel agency’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Be different from your competitors and create a dedicated page that is unique. Consider posting content related to your audience’s interests, such as discounted tours, adventure trips, honeymoon spots, etc. Make people interested in your travel agency by adding value, and they’ll rush to buy your travel plans.

Get some travel partners.

Starting a tour company requires you to have something to sell to be successful. It would help if you sold many things to potential travelers, including tickets, packages, and other items. How do you get them?

Several established travel companies will have to approve your request to sell their packages. Making money requires selling their attractive offers. It takes work to get their approval. Startup travel agencies will face many questions from established businesses.

Their primary concern is how much commission your agency will charge. Hence, make sure your percentage is competitive.

Optimize your online travel business

A person searches on Google for information when they need it. Make sure your travel agency appears at the top of the search results when you start it. People will only try to find your agency if you appear at the top of search results. As other travel businesses appear on top, they will follow.

To improve your website’s ranking, it must be optimized. Optimizing your website begins with a perfect design. Also, you need to place your keywords correctly in your content. Your audience will grow if you make a strong content marketing strategy.

There are specific steps to follow when starting a travel agency. The first step to minimizing your competition is to identify your travel niche. Next, make a business plan for your agency and give it a catchy name.

The cash flow you have should be sufficient to meet your expenses. Create a robust online presence for your travel agency with your website and social media channels. It is also important that your pricing is competitive.

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How To Use The Capital One Travel Portal

• Ben Schlappig
• Published: September 19, 2023
• Updated: September 20, 2023

Link: Apply now for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ( Rates & Fees ) or Capital One Venture X Business ( Rates & Fees )

Capital One Travel is Capital One’s online travel portal, and understanding it is a key part of maximizing the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ( review ) and Capital One Venture X Business ( review ). In this post I wanted to take an updated look at how the Capital One Travel portal works, including when and how you should use it.

In this post:

What is the Capital One Travel portal?

Capital One Travel is an online travel portal through which you can book flights, hotels, and rental cars. Most of the major credit card companies have portals like these — think of it like a credit card company’s version of an online travel agency, like Expedia, Orbitz, etc.

These travel portals can be a win-win:

• Credit card companies get a commission when you book your travel through one of these portals, and often you’ll pay the same you’d pay if booking direct
• Credit card companies often offer additional rewards to cardmembers when booking through their travel portal, and in some cases give significant incentives for using it

Which credit cards get you access to the Capital One Travel portal?

The Capital One Travel portal is available to customers who have any Capital One rewards card issued in the United States. This includes the following cards, among others:

• Venture X Business
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ( Rates & Fees )
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ( Rates & Fees )
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business ( Rates & Fees )
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus ( Rates & Fees )
• Capital One Spark Cash Select ( Rates & Fees )
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card ( Rates & Fees )

You can access the Capital One Travel portal through this link , by logging in with your Capital One online account credentials. Note that after being approved for a card, it can take a few days before you’ll be able to access the portal, so don’t expect you’ll have access to it the second you’re approved for one of the above cards.

Why should you use the Capital One Travel portal?

There are a few reasons it can make sense to book your travel through Capital One Travel. Let’s use the Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business as examples:

• The cards offer a $300 annual travel credit valid for any purchase through Capital One Travel (the cards also offer 10,000 bonus miles on the account anniversary every year, and those can be redeemed through Capital One Travel, but can also be redeemed in different ways)
• The cards offer bonus miles on Capital One Travel purchases, as you earn 10x miles for hotel and rental car bookings, and 5x miles on flights; I value Capital One miles at 1.7 cents each, so to me that’s like an 8.5-17% return on Capital One Travel purchases, which is huge

Other Capital One cards also offer bonus rewards when booking through Capital One Travel:

• The Venture and VentureOne offer 5x miles for hotel and rental car bookings
• The Spark Miles offers 5x miles for hotel and rental car bookings
• Capital One cash back cards offer 5% back for hotel and rental car bookings

You can also redeem your Capital One miles or Capital One cash back for travel booked through Capital One Travel. However, you can just as easily redeem miles through statement credits, whereby you can make a travel purchase directly with your card, and reimburse yourself after the fact. So I don’t consider that to be a huge selling point of the portal.

Do you earn loyalty rewards when booking through the Capital One Travel portal?

What’s the catch with Capital One Travel? Well, I’d say the biggest catch is that you won’t always earn rewards with the loyalty program of the airline, hotel, or rental car, you’re booking with. As a general rule of thumb:

• You usually earn airline miles and elite perks when booking flights through Capital One Travel; there’s even an option to add your airline loyalty account number during the booking process
• You usually don’t earn hotel points or elite perks when booking hotels through Capital One Travel; there’s no option to add your hotel loyalty account number during the booking process, though you can always provide it when you check-in or in advance, and in some cases you may still receive some elite perks
• You usually don’t earn rental car points or elite perks when booking rental cars through Capital One Travel, though the policy does vary by rental agency

As a result, my strategy is typically to primarily book flights through Capital One Travel, since there’s the least opportunity cost to doing so. In some cases it could also be worth booking independent hotels through Capital One Travel, as that’s where the opportunity cost is the least.

How do you book travel through the Capital One Travel portal?

You can use Capital One Travel to book flights on over 200 airlines, stays at over two million hotels around the world, and rent cars with nearly 200 providers. In each case you’ll have the option of either paying cash or redeeming miles for your reservation, and that’s something that can be decided on when you’re finalizing your reservation.

Let’s go over the basics of some of the booking options, depending on whether you’re trying to book a flight, hotel, or rental car.

Booking flights with Capital One Travel

As someone who has the Capital One Venture X , I think most of my portal use will be for booking flights, since there’s the least opportunity cost:

• I can use my $300 Capital One Travel credit toward a flight
• There’s very little opportunity cost to this, since I can still earn airline miles and receive elite perks
• You should find that pricing through Capital One Travel typically matches what you find through Google Flights and other online travel agencies; in some cases you might find lower prices through programs like the Amex International Airline Program , but that’s about it

As far as online credit card portals go, Capital One Travel is excellent, as it uses technology from Hopper:

• There are lots of options for sorting itineraries, whether you want to go by price, duration, number of stops, departure time, or arrival time
• The portal does a pretty good job distinguishing different fare options, from basic economy to first class
• The portal has a calendar feature where you can see how pricing varies over several weeks at a time, which can be useful if you’re flexible
• The portal has price predictions for flights, whereby the portal will recommend whether you should book now or wait, and it’s claimed that this saves consumers an average of 15% per flight; this is based on analyzing billions of data points and predicting how flight prices fluctuate
• The portal offers free price drop protection; if Capital One Travel recommends booking a flight and the price drops within 10 days, you can be refunded the difference, up to $50
• The portal allows you to “watch” a trip, and be notified by email when it’s the best time to book

Booking hotels with Capital One Travel

The Capital One Travel portal gives you access to millions of hotels around the world, ranging from large chain hotels to independent boutique hotels. One awesome feature is that Capital One Travel proactively adjusts prices to guarantee that they match or beat other travel sites, including Orbitz, Expedia, Booking.com, and Travelocity. Capital One’s interface for searching hotels is also great, as you can sort by destination, price, star rating, and more.

Nowadays Capital One also has the Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection, whereby cardmembers can get extra perks for booking select luxury properties. This is similar to programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Virtuoso .

Still, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend consistently booking your hotels through Capital One Travel:

• It could make sense to book an independent hotel through Capital One Travel, where the opportunity cost of booking this way is limited, and you can earn 5-10x miles per dollar spent; always make sure to compare prices, though, because you may sometimes find lower rates through other channels (especially if you’re a AAA member, a senior, etc.)
• If you’re engaged in major hotel loyalty programs and are staying at a chain hotel, it’s probably better to book direct, and be able to earn hotel points and receive elite perks; that being said, for some it could be worth booking through Capital One Travel, so you can earn 5-10x miles for these purchases instead
• For luxury hotels, there may sometimes be programs or promotions that can offer more value for your hotel bookings, though you’ll want to compare options with each trip you’re looking at

Booking rental cars with Capital One Travel

Capital One Travel lets you book rental cars around the globe. While earning bonus miles for rental cars can be lucrative, personally, I’d avoid booking rental cars through here. Why?

• There are so many opportunities to get discounted rental cars using websites like Kayak and Autoslash, so you often won’t get the best price when booking through a credit card portal
• You’re generally forgoing elite perks when booking a rental car through Capital One Travel; for example, the Capital One Venture X offers Hertz President’s Circle status , plus other rental car status on account of being a Visa Infinite, and you can receive those perks when booking direct with the car rental companies, rather than when booking through Capital One Travel

Capital One Travel price match guarantee

Capital One Travel offers a price match guarantee . If you find a better price on a flight, hotel, or rental car, within 24 hours of booking with Capital One Travel, you’ll be given the difference in the form of a Capital One Travel credit. To use this feature, just call 844-422-6922, and the request can be taken care of on the spot.

While this is a great feature, I think it’s important to emphasize that this only matches the best standard and published prices, and won’t always be useful. For example, a hotel may have a cheaper members only rate or cheaper AAA or senior rate, and that wouldn’t be eligible for a best price guarantee. Similarly, rental car companies also often have promotions for loyalty program members.

Bottom line

Capital One Travel is Capital One’s online travel portal, through which you can book flights, hotels, and rental cars. Generally speaking I avoid using these kinds of credit card travel portals, but there’s a reason many of us will likely use Capital One Travel.

The Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business each offer a $300 credit valid through Capital One Travel, so at a minimum, you should book a $300 flight every year through the portal, so you can maximize that benefit with the lowest opportunity cost. On top of that, earning 5-10x miles for portal purchases can be a great incentive to go through there.

I also have to give Capital One credit, because the portal is as good as credit card portals get. It has some unique features, and I find it pretty easy to use. For the casual traveler who isn’t good at planning travel, this could even be useful.

If you’ve used Capital One Travel, what has your experience been with the portal? Under what circumstances do you use credit card travel portals?

Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

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One important thing to add. The Multi City flight search function does not work despite the option exists. Try adding 4 flights and it will say "flights not found".

This morning I made a hotel booking in Italy through Capital One Travel, then found a slightly cheaper rate for the same hotel/room type through booking.com. Then, looking at the hotel website for a direct booking, and even cheaper rate. In using the price match feature, C1 did match for the slightly lower booking.com rate, but would not give me the even better rate offered by the hotel for direct booking. Reason: Capital One books...

This morning I made a hotel booking in Italy through Capital One Travel, then found a slightly cheaper rate for the same hotel/room type through booking.com. Then, looking at the hotel website for a direct booking, and even cheaper rate. In using the price match feature, C1 did match for the slightly lower booking.com rate, but would not give me the even better rate offered by the hotel for direct booking. Reason: Capital One books in US dollars, as does booking.com (with USD setting). The direct hotel booking is only in euros, which is logical for a stand-alone hotel in Italy. Capital One's price match has to be dollars vs. dollars, and no other currency.

Last fall I booked a $1900 ticket through Capital One, then found a $1600 fare for the same flight on Air Canada’s website. I called and was almost immediately refunded $300 in cash. Since then the price match has been downgraded to a credit on the travel portal. Also, I’ve noticed that Capital One portal prices have crept up. I used to expect most of their fares and hotel deals to be among the lowest...

Last fall I booked a $1900 ticket through Capital One, then found a $1600 fare for the same flight on Air Canada’s website. I called and was almost immediately refunded $300 in cash. Since then the price match has been downgraded to a credit on the travel portal. Also, I’ve noticed that Capital One portal prices have crept up. I used to expect most of their fares and hotel deals to be among the lowest prices available, but now they are sometimes higher than other easily-found sites, occasionally even higher than their partner, Hopper. I still use Cap1 Travel, but I check the competition much more carefully.

Do not have Luck with CO & Hertz ever! today tried to find a car via CO Travel site nothing at Hertz, I called C O they suggested I call Hertz direct maybe they are out of cars. sure enough they had plenty of cars, but Not for Capital One.

I have received Hertz points and elite treatment when booking through this portal.

Did you have to do anything special? We booked a National car through the portal, but there is nowhere to enter our "status"? With our Venture X card, we are Visa Infinite correct? That gives us Executive status....but our rental shows our car as "standard" and we must go to the counter...which defeats the whole purpose of "rental status". Very confusing. We called the CO travel number and they said the reservation...

Did you have to do anything special? We booked a National car through the portal, but there is nowhere to enter our "status"? With our Venture X card, we are Visa Infinite correct? That gives us Executive status....but our rental shows our car as "standard" and we must go to the counter...which defeats the whole purpose of "rental status". Very confusing. We called the CO travel number and they said the reservation cannot be changed. So...we HAVE a perk...but we can't USE the perk? Did you do anything different? We will try Hertz, in Dec.

Hey Lucky - sorry if I missed it, but Im curious if you're going to address this recent partnership with Capital One? Would love to hear more about how it became to be, why you decided to work with them (im assuming you're approached all the time) and what we can expect going forward?

@ Nathan -- Good question! It was just a one week partnership to celebrate the launch of the Venture X Business through online channels. As you can see, the branding is now gone (as it has been a week). For what it's worth, I still had full editorial independence, so nothing actually changed during that time, and there was no content quota, or anything. This was just a more exclusive form of display advertising for...

@ Nathan -- Good question! It was just a one week partnership to celebrate the launch of the Venture X Business through online channels. As you can see, the branding is now gone (as it has been a week). For what it's worth, I still had full editorial independence, so nothing actually changed during that time, and there was no content quota, or anything. This was just a more exclusive form of display advertising for that week period. Thanks for reading, and hope that answers your question.

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One important thing to add. The Multi City flight search function does not work despite the option exists. Try adding 4 flights and it will say "flights not found".

This morning I made a hotel booking in Italy through Capital One Travel, then found a slightly cheaper rate for the same hotel/room type through booking.com. Then, looking at the hotel website for a direct booking, and even cheaper rate. In using the price match feature, C1 did match for the slightly lower booking.com rate, but would not give me the even better rate offered by the hotel for direct booking. Reason: Capital One books in US dollars, as does booking.com (with USD setting). The direct hotel booking is only in euros, which is logical for a stand-alone hotel in Italy. Capital One's price match has to be dollars vs. dollars, and no other currency.

Tim, Did you have to do anything special? We booked a National car through the portal, but there is nowhere to enter our "status"? With our Venture X card, we are Visa Infinite correct? That gives us Executive status....but our rental shows our car as "standard" and we must go to the counter...which defeats the whole purpose of "rental status". Very confusing. We called the CO travel number and they said the reservation cannot be changed. So...we HAVE a perk...but we can't USE the perk? Did you do anything different? We will try Hertz, in Dec.

• January 1, 2024

• September 8, 2023

• September 6, 2023

10 ways a travel management program can benefit your small business

• Business travel is on the rise.  
• Business travel management programs, like IHG's Business Edge, make booking travel easier and more efficient.  
• From discount offerings to flexible booking options, businesses are reaping the benefits of travel management programs.  

Business travel is growing at a steady but significant pace. According to one report, 77% of people anticipate traveling more in 2024 than in 2023 — and 21% of those planned excursions are business-related. According to the US Travel Association, total business travel spending is expected to reach $280.8 billion by 2026. But all this travel requires lots of planning and logistics on behalf of travel bookers. Businesses are spread awfully thin booking and scheduling travel for their employees, not to mention navigating hurdles like unfavorable weather forecasts or flight cancellations. That's especially true for small and medium-sized businesses that already operate with fewer people and resources.  

It's time for a new era of business travel — and that's why IHG Hotels & Resorts prioritizes the people working behind the scenes with IHG Business Edge, helping them book and manage travel and ensuring employees travel seamlessly to and from their destinations.  

Designed specifically for small and midsize enterprises, IHG Business Edge is a comprehensive travel program that provides discounts small businesses can count on (plus a host of additional benefits). With more than 6,000 locations around the world, the travel program has something for every small business, regardless of budget or industry. Travel bookers save time and energy on menial tasks, while employees can travel knowing they're taken care of.  

Projected US business travel spending by year

Source: Business Travel News  

Below are a few ways a travel management program like IHG Business Edge can help small- and medium-sized businesses manage employee travel more effectively — no matter where they're going.  

1. Free and easy initiation  

When it comes to travel programs for businesses, there's often a barrier to entry. Initiation fees can make joining inaccessible, especially for small businesses already navigating financial challenges. 

IHG Business Edge is completely free to join, with no hidden costs or fees, and no minimum annual spend. Enrollment is quick and easy — it only takes two minutes using your company information. 

2. Discounts right at your fingertips  

In an economic environment where expenses can quickly stack up,  small and medium businesses must identify opportunities to save. The IHG Business Edge membership can help: It automatically unlocks guaranteed discounts across more than 6,000 IHG hotel locations globally. Members receive a discount on the best flexible rate for the hotel they book, and employees can access the discount while they travel. 

3. Everything you need, all in one place  

For small and medium-sized businesses, often with smaller budgets and fewer resources than their larger counterparts, managing employee travel can be expensive and time-consuming. Keeping track of destinations, flights, and lodging — and digging to find budget-friendly options — can take up time and energy that might be better spent on more strategic tasks.  

IHG's one-stop shop portal lets you book and manage employees' travel, receive premium content, and monitor essential information such as hotel spend, average daily rate, booking nights, and savings data. 

4. Benefits and upgrades for loyal travelers  

Travelers registered with IHG Business Edge receive an upgrade to One Rewards Silver Elite status after their first stay, meaning they can earn 20% bonus points (which don't expire), access exclusive promotions, and take advantage of late checkout. The more travelers stay, the more rewards they can choose from, including upgrades and food and beverage rewards. 

5. A flexible booking experience  

Just like their employees, business travel managers often find themselves on the go, whether traveling to a conference or commuting to the office. That's why program members can choose from a number of booking methods. They can book employee travel through the portal, on IHG.com, over the phone, or via the IHG app. 

6. Access to exclusive partner perks  

According to one report , most business travelers say they get more out of rewards programs than they put into them — and that's certainly a priority for IHG Business Edge. The program's partners offer exclusive benefits to members, so they can take advantage of deals and discounts while they travel. IHG's list of trusted, handpicked partners includes Dell Technologies, iStock by Getty Images, and Currencies Direct. 

Other partners include business mentoring organization Digital Boost, which offers program customers free mentoring, and network security solutions provider NordLayer, which provides members with a 20% discount on yearly licenses.  

7. An award-winning travel program  

Once enrolled in IHG Business Edge, businesses can rest assured their employees will be looked after. 

IHG Business Edge has won Global Traveler magazine's GT Tested Reader Survey Award for Best Small-to-Mid-Sized Business program for five years in a row. It also took home the title of Global Traveler's Best International Hotel Chain, Best Domestic Hotel Chain, and Best Hotel Website.  

8. Small business travelers front and center  

IHG Business Edge has worked hard to understand the needs of small businesses. The program was developed alongside travel managers and travelers alike to ensure a streamlined joining and booking process, competitive rates, enticing perks, and comprehensive travel metrics.

9. Helpful support when you need it most  

Organizing a business trip can be stressful, with travel managers often handling multiple destinations and itineraries at once. IHG Business Edge is here to help, with its dedicated support center, available to answer questions and solve challenges as they arise. 

10. Travel for work — and fun  

In addition to business travel, employees can use their IHG Business Edge membership for personal vacation. Traveling employees simply need to link their IHG One Rewards number to their company's IHG Business Edge account. They will accrue points during leisure travel —  and their employers will earn program benefits, too. 

Ready to unlock a smarter way to manage travel and reduce expenses? Join IHG Business Edge today.

This post was created by Insider Studios with IHG Business Edge. 

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