Home of the Start-up: Is it time to go it alone?

Starting a travel agency can be an exciting and rewarding business venture! Do you work in the travel industry and have dreams of going it alone?

Now could be the time to do something different and step out of your comfort zone. Over the last three years, we have seen an increase in new start-ups and have been perfectly placed to be able to assist those new business owners in realising their dreams of owning their own travel business. Our approach will be an extension of your business, and our membership models can offer you the chance to go it alone and reach business success!

Here are some tips to help you get started when thinking about setting up your own travel business:

1. Research the Market

• Identify your niche: Do you want to focus on luxury travel, budget travel, adventure tours, corporate travel, or destination-specific packages? Knowing your niche helps you stand out and attract the right customers. A travel network or agency franchise like Advantage Travel Partnership can help you secure better deals, maximise your earning potential and offer a consultative approach to help you build your own travel business, working smarter, not harder.

• Study competitors: Research local and online travel agencies. Look at their services, pricing, and marketing strategies. This will help you understand industry trends and identify opportunities. We can help you establish relationships with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other travel suppliers, which can offer you access to a wide-ranging portfolio of suppliers who can support you on your journey.

2. Create a Business Plan

• Mission and vision: We can help you define your business’s purpose and long-term goals. What value will you provide to customers?

• Financial planning: Estimate startup costs (website, software, licenses, marketing) and ongoing expenses (staff, rent, utilities). Set revenue targets.

• Marketing strategy: Detail how you plan to attract customers (online marketing, direct marketing, getting involved in local events, being a part of the community, starting with friends and family etc). Access our annual calendar of high-quality print and digital marketing campaigns and standout with our best-in-class marketing support.

3. Choose Your Legal Structure

• Decide if you want to be a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation. This will affect taxes, liabilities, and how you run your business.

• Obtain necessary business licenses and permits based on your location and the type of services you will offer.

4. Partner with Suppliers

• Make a smart business move and join a travel network or agency franchise like The Advantage Travel Partnership to secure better deals, maximise your earning potential and receive consultative business support. These ready-made relationships come with market-leading commercial terms too.

• Establish relationships with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other travel suppliers through your chosen travel network, which can offer you access to a wide-ranging portfolio of suppliers who can support you on your journey.

5. Build a Strong Online Presence

• Website: Create a user-friendly website or white label a website solution with booking capabilities. We offer a fully rounded white label website proposition so you can utilise our expert help. Include travel packages, destination guides, customer reviews, and a blog to drive traffic.

• Social media: Promote your business on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Travel visuals do really well, so showcase beautiful destinations. Take advantage of our brand of visual assets and fresh daily offers to easily build a social media presence.



• SEO: Optimise your website for search engines to ensure people can find you when they search for travel services.

Grow your travel business with The Advantage Travel Partnership today.

Are you ready to take the plunge? As a partnership, our focus is on working together with you and your business to fulfil your full potential and not compete against you.