People are travelling more and more, for business, leisure and even just for the sake of it. All, for various reasons, don’t always approach the bog travel agencies to book their flight tickets and reserve hotel rooms. Many resort to local and independent travel agents whom they know well. But the small and medium players have to keep pace with the ever-changing trends in the travel industry.
If you are aspiring to start an online travel agency of your own or to expand your present travel business, below are some important points –
Travel business has changed a lot in recent times. The travel agencies no longer just informs the customer about the availability of the flights, their schedule, issue the ticket and get commission from the airline. Now with the online travel agency software, customers can book online. That’s why most of the travel startups are actually following the OTA model.
With these online travel software, new doors leading to profit have been opened for travel agencies. You can turn to customized package tours, holiday packages, cruises, hotel packages, tours for your locale or some specific places, and so on. You can work on your own or for another agency. You can specialize in pilgrimages, leisure travel, business travel or any niche ones. You select your sector and then you can start your own travel agency with your niche offerings.
Focusing on what best you can offer, is the key to success. Best hotels in a specific geography, top sightseeing and transfer tours. You can give them personalized service. This will make the customer take you as a reliable agency and they will feel more secure during their travel. Your customers should feel confident that you will arrange everything possible for them: hire a car, find their favorite cuisine, and so on.
Here are some points in starting a new travel agency:
- Register your agency’s name and take license as per your local laws
- Take membership in IATA or any other reputed travel organization
- Learn about the travel industry thoroughly
- Start and get your travel website development done by a professional company. You can also get a top travel software integrated.
- Give maximum publicity to your new firm.
- Offer the deals, which are focusing to a specific geography. Focusing on niche will bring the accolades quickly.
Regarding Author:
Author is a senior business analyst and an expert in travel software development and marketing strategy implementation.
