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How to Start a Travel Agency Business Philippines

A surprising fact is that starting a travel agency business in the Philippines does not necessarily require a huge amount of capital. Therefore, aside from being profitable, it could be exciting and fun for an entrepreneur who loves the travel industry.

With people showing a lot of great travel destinations on social media, it is no wonder many Filipinos have become more interested in traveling. Therefore, owning a travel agency in the Philippines may be a profitable business as we look into the near distant future.

Let us take a look at the steps on how to set up a travel agency in the Philippines. We will also be exploring the option of a travel franchise in the Philippines for those interesting in the franchising option!  

Table of Contents

Steps On How To Set Up A Travel Agency In The Philippines

1. the travel agency business plan.

Because your business plan is the draft for your travel agency business , you could consider including the following information:

Executive Summary: This briefly introduces the business and summarizes your plan. For instance, you could decide whether to have a travel franchise in the Philippines or your travel agency (and what benefits and restrictions both possess). Its also wise to include a description of the business, the target market, financial estimates, and the solutions to possible difficulties in setting up a travel agency in the Philippines.

For those who have significant capital to start a travel agency in the Philippines, you could apply for accreditation from the International Air Transport Association, which will prove valuable in brand trust.  

* The International Air Transport Association manages airlines, passenger agents, and cargo agents internationally. Therefore, getting accredited would allow travel agency owners to sell domestic and international plane tickets acting as agents for airline companies. The business would also be allowed to re-book, re-issue, or re-validate issued tickets and endorse them to other airlines if needed.

On the other hand, those who do not have accreditation do not have the authorization to release tickets. Therefore, either they purchase from an accredited agent or the airline. 

Travel Business Summary: This summary details the distribution of the ownership and the requirements for starting up, such as the capital and location.If you plan to have a fairly small travel agency, a capital of 50,000 PHP to 100,000 PHP could be enough to cover required documents, office equipment, utilities, and lease. 

More space and more people would be needed for more travel agencies with critical operations such as partnerships or corporations since there could be more clients. An estimate of 450,000 PHP + is often wise with this scale of business.

Services And Products: You would determine what services or products you could provide to the visitors in this section. Always remember the upsell and cross-selling to maximize your business profit 😉

Market Analysis : This provides more detailed information about the target market and the business’ competitors. 

Business Strategy: This section describes the plan on how to operate and build a travel agency business in the Philippines further through marketing and product or services pricing. 

Financial Summary : This states the business’ income and costs projections . Even those this is the last section on our list. However, some would suggest that this is one of the essential areas of business. Therefore, it is recommended to spend time studying the costs, prices, and any potential opportunities/threats.

2. Philippines Travel Agency Permits And Licenses 

When setting up a travel agency business in the Philippines, you will need to register at the Department of Trade and Industry . This is also required if you plan to start your travel agency business in the Philippines alone or at home. For a corporation or partnership travel agency, the business would need to be registered at the Security and Exchange Commission . 

You can refer here for the detailed list of requirements of how to set up a travel agency in the Philippines. In addition, you may wish to familiarize yourself with other legal requirements for setting up a travel agency business in the Philippines. Republic Act 1478

3. The Office Location And Space

Owners need to consider many factors when looking for an ideal location. The most important could be the accessibility to the intended market. Second, the location should be convenient for them. Lastly, the business owner needs to make sure that the space is affordable. 

Although office space can be expensive, starting a travel agency in the Philippines does not need a large office space as long as the staff could effectively attend to the clients.

A space of 10 to 15 sq meters could be enough for a home-based travel agency. If you are considering a commercial space with high foot traffic, a space of 60 to 200 sq meters could be also enough to entertain walk-in clients. 

4. The Travel Agency’s Equipment

One of the essential steps on how to set up a travel agency in the Philippines is choosing the equipment. These could include computers with good specs, printers, fax machines, landline phones, mobile phones for office use, photocopying machines, CCTV cameras, and vaults.

Sofas and tables to accommodate walk-in clients, desks, chairs, cabinets, and tables are some of the office interior essentials. 

5. The Travel Agency Staff

When you are starting to build a travel agency in the Philippines, one of the most critical areas is hiring the right people and having the right team. If your budget is low, Fear not! This is because some travel agency tasks can be computer-generated, saving you time and money. (such as squareup that can make an appointment fast and effortless)

As the business flourishes, having at least two staff members in the office to attend to more customers would be ideal. Aside from catering to walk-in clients, you could offer a more variety of your services.

Expanding the business further, you have the option to hire two employees responsible for ticketing and making reservations, a cashier or an accountant, a receptionist to take calls and take care of the walk-in clients, and a messenger to bring and pick documents. 

Although it is not difficult to train staff to make travel reservations, it would be an advantage to get graduates in tourism with a computer reservation system background. Hiring people with experience working for a travel agency is always a good option.

6. Travel Destinations, Packages, And Promos

Depending on your target market, you could decide on what destinations are most famous or profitable. For example, you could target families with children, young adults, senior citizens, backpackers with different tastes, interests, and lifestyles, or business and corporate travelers. 

Since destinations are different, the travel agency needs to collect data on hotels, air flight schedules, a list of tourist spots and beaches, and insurance, among many others. But, again, you could anticipate what information your clients would need. 

Moreover, you could be open to specific preferences clients could have. You could also offer travel packages to make their decision easier. Preparing packages for some destinations could help your clients. Although pamphlets could be helpful, owners could not expect all clients to decide right away due to some considerations such as travel duration and price. 

Since you would prepare a database, you would choose airlines, hotels, resorts, and tour operators to partner with. Clients who are on a budget usually check out promo packages. Nevertheless, it still depends on the travel experience they want and their travel schedule. 

Therefore, the ones you would choose could be based on affordability, the convenience of the target market, and profitability.

It would not be a good idea to risk cheaper options with a partner that has a questionable reputation. Even though the price would come at a premium, working with a good reputation partner could go a long way. 

7. Marketing For Your Travel Agency In The Philippines

Just like other industries, there are many ways to market a travel agency business. If you were able to build a travel agency in the Philippines with great branding, you could reap many benefits. 

To do this, you could give attention to your business’ brand name and logo. Then, you may promote by putting up signages outside your office, malls, and other public places.

You could also take part in travel events and expos or sponsor a booth. Aside from promoting, you could meet people from the same industry, such as vendors and potential partners. 

Having a travel agency in the Philippines, it is crucial to establish an online presence. This method is cost-effective and affordable since it can be targeted and measured. You could have a website that contains destinations, packages, airfare promos, and blogs so that potential customers can access much information. (also helps with SEO/website visibility)

Moreover , it could save more time for receptionists since they can focus on other work or clients. 

In this age, social media is vital in advertising businesses. Creating a Facebook page , Instagram, or Twitter account is an essential step on how to set up a travel agency in the Philippines. On Facebook, you could promote your agency’s travel packages and create engagement. On Twitter, you could answer queries and post whenever you have a new blog post. On Instagram, you could highlight photos of different interesting destinations.

Nevertheless, the most effective promotion would be word of mouth. Therefore, it is a good idea to make clients happy by offering competitive rates and top-notch service. 

Starting A Travel Agency In The Philippines: Bonus!

8. client profiling.

You could include this step after you see the initial turnout of having a travel agency business in the Philippines. You could start establishing a client profile based on the clients you had. In client profiling, you could make an outline of the client type, travel preferences, packages or services availed, travel months, and destination. 

It would be a great idea to create a system for managing customer relationships. You could send a promotional email that is relevant to the previous services they had.

For instance, you could offer a previous client a cheaper package with a similar experience at a different destination. Upselling could work if you keep track of your previous clients’ preferences. Offering group travel for seasonal travelers would also be a good idea at the early start of your travel agency in the Philippines. Some are delegates for school or a religious group who would go on a pilgrimage. 

The goal is to make these customers return. Nevertheless, the competition is stiff. To stand out, it would be best to be better and stand out from others. Here are some good selling points:

• Excellent Customer Service
• Truthful Advice About Travelling
• Great Prices
• One-Of-A-Kind Product Packages And Services
• Supporting Charities
• Complete Support Post-Sales

9. Making Profits From Your Travel Agency Business

With hard work in the right direction, there is often a reward. Many factors affect a travel agency’s income, such as the target market, packages offered, and partners. As an estimate, the profit could be around 10,000 PHP for a small travel agency per month, and on peak seasons, it could be 50,000 PHP or more. This profit could be x5, x10, or more depending on the scale o the business.

Commissions and airline bookings’ markups from tours could anyways between 3% to 10% . A more significant number of customers might be needed depending on the business design.

Once you have enough budget, you could hire more staff to add services and equipment such as visa processing at consulates and embassies, passport applications, and assistance in completing the documents, photocopying, or travel insurance application. 

Travel Franchise In The Philippines, Hosting And Tips

It does not matter if it is your first time to start a travel agency in the Philippines or an experienced owner; having a travel agency franchise or host agency could be easier and less risky. Since a travel franchise in the Philippines would mean working with big travel businesses, you could establish a professional network and boost your profits. 

Having a franchise, you could have your travel agency operate it and take advantage of an established name in the industry at the same time. Furthermore, as a franchisee, you would be provided with training, systems, promotions, and building a travel agency business in the Philippines. 

As for having a host agency, you are a member of an organization. So, by joining one, you could get reasonable rates. However, the marketing, training, and support are limited and not as strong as what a franchise could give you. 

If you are still confused about whether to get a franchise or host to start a travel agency in the Philippines, here are essential points you could consider:

Tools And Assistance: When you find a franchise, the marketing programs, training, technology tools, and business advancement coaching are reliable in terms of starting and growing your travel agency business in the Philippines. For a host agency, these are limited. Therefore, you might need to find external sources for support and training. 

Cost: Getting a franchise would mean paying higher upfront costs, including tools and assistance. It would be cheaper if you opted to go with a host, but a word of warning, obtaining the tools and assistance, could add up on costs. 

Commission: Royalty is paid for most of the franchises. Royalty is a small percent of your overall sales. For a host, the amount varies, and it usually uses commission splits or shared commission. 

Brande Name: You could gain integrity when you find a franchise from an established and reputable name in the industry. This could be most helpful when you are just starting. As for a host agency, you would have to create a name and awareness alone since it does not offer a recognizable name. 

Here is an original package from WOW Philippines Travel Agency . For a 250,000 PHP franchise package, you would get:

• Use Of The Name And Logo
• Professional Training For Staff
• Usage Of The Agency’s Website
• Hotels, Tours, Airlines, Resorts, And Transfers Proprietary Contract Rates
• 3-Year Renewable Contract
• Laptop With Information And Proprietary Program
• All-Year-Round Support
• Marketing Assistance Through Social Media
• Promotional Use Of The Agency’s Travel Photos And Videos

Addional Tips When Starting A Travel Company Philippines

Tip 1: niche.

As mentioned, the competition in the travel industry is stiff. Therefore, it is essential to decide the niche that owners would like to succeed in. The agency could focus on giving services to corporate clients or offering domestic travel. You could further expand if you had enough budget. You could offer tours abroad or take on foreign clients.

Tip 2: Suppliers

The success of your travel agency could depend much on your tie-up with airlines, resorts, hotels, tour guides, and bus operators. Therefore, you could choose your supplier based on the quality of its service, how cost-effective it is, and the convenience it would give to your clients. It would not be good to take risks here, so it would be best to deal with trustworthy suppliers. 

Tip 3: Promos

Most people are busy, so they would want everything to be convenient, even traveling. Therefore, they may be willing to spend more if that means going on vacation stress-free. Owners could take advantage of this by creating pre-arranged tours. A package that provides the airfare, transfers if needed, hotel accommodation, and itinerary on the destination of choice. 

Tip 4: Website Optimization

With a lot of people using the Internet, it would be crucial that potential customers could see your travel agency when they type keywords and search online. This is termed search engine optimization ( SEO ). Most customers would not likely access if the site did not make it to the top search results. Therefore, you could focus on making your business website rank. You could do this by obtaining a fast site and utilizing keywords in your site’s content. 

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How to Start a Travel Agency in the Philippines? (8 Steps)

Home » Blog » How to Start a Travel Agency in the Philippines? (8 Steps)

It is the right time to start a travel agency in the Philippines. The Philippines is known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and friendly locals. It has recently seen an increase in tourism due to its diverse landscapes.

Travel agencies have emerged in this rapidly growing industry. They not only create journeys of beauty for the rest of the world but also make travel easier for both the adventurous and those looking to explore.

Let us take this journey together, one step at a time, to make your dream a thriving reality.

Following these easy steps, you can easily start your travel agency in the Philippines.

Table of Content

Step 1: perform research, step 2: create a detailed business plan, step 3: legal procedures and business registration, step 4: setup and equip your office, step 5: build partnerships, step 6: focus on computerized reservation system, step 7: begin the marketing campaign, step 8: continuous improvement, steps to start a travel agency in the philippines.

The first step in starting a travel agency in the Philippines is to start with the travel market all over the Philippines. Understanding what drives people to visit new places, their accommodation preferences, and the experiences they seek. 

Identifying your target audience and their key components is critical for customizing your services.

Create a business plan that will guide your agency’s progress. It includes everything from the services you will provide, whether niche tours, packages, or budgets, to a detailed pricing strategy and market analysis. 

This acts as both a blueprint and a pitch for investors and partners, clearly expressing your vision, strategy, and financial projections.

Meanwhile, the next step is to understand the legal landscape. In the Philippines, this requires registering your company with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for sole proprietorships and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for corporations and partnerships. 

Securing permits from local government units (LGUs) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is paramount. This step gives your business legitimacy, allowing it to conduct legal and financial transactions.

Learn More: How to Make Money with a Travel Website in 2024?(Earn More)

Moreover, choosing a workspace or a professional commercial setting is critical. Look for an environment that encourages both creativity and productivity to their full potential. 

When it comes to selecting your team, look for individuals who not only share your passion for travel but also excel in delivering outstanding customer service.

Similarly, create a network with all of the hotels, airlines, and local operators in your preferred areas. This is where you will be able to get lots of help, giving you a competitive advantage and creating unique experiences.

Generally, here are some effective approaches to forming partnerships with others:

• Collaboration with an International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited organization
• Form Partnerships with Shipping Lines
• Collaboration in sports and adventure

Familiarize yourself and your staff once with the computerized reservation systems (CRS) used in the travel industry. These systems are essential for booking flights, hotels, and other travel services efficiently. 

Training in these systems ensures that your agency operates smoothly and can provide quick and accurate service to your clients.

Overall, WP Travel is a plugin that allows you and your staff to streamline your reservation process.

The tutorial below explains how to create a travel and tour booking website in WordPress using the WP Travel plugin and a beautiful travel theme with no coding required.

The plugin includes these features to help you create an SEO-optimized travel business.

• Integrated booking management system
• Customizable trip itineraries
• Integration with multiple payment gateways
• Full data reporting
• Integration with Zapier

Explore : Top Tour Management Software

Comparatively, both digital and traditional marketing strategies promote your brand. SEO, social media, content marketing, as well as a local event.

Make your travel agency memorable by promoting special offers or hosting an event to attract potential clients.

Marketing strategy to start a travel agency in the Philippines

Another key point is continuous improvement. It is critical to value continuous improvement. The travel industry is rapidly changing, and it is critical to be aware of travel trends and what your customers want, so try to anticipate changes.

Learn More: Starting A Travel Agency – A Complete Guide

Travel agencies are regarded as one of the brightest industries expected to propel our country forward. It has the greatest potential to be both entertaining and profitable. To Start a travel agency in the Philippines requires planning and adaptability.

Travel agency owners can achieve their objectives by researching the market, registering their business, developing relationships, digitally and traditionally marketing, and staying current on trends.

Generally, with proper planning and execution, Philippine travel agencies can provide unique travel experiences. 

Yes, in addition to the business registration with the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) or SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), you also need to secure a travel agency license from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The requirements for a DOT license include a completed application form, business registration documents, office location proof (lease or title), tax identification number, and also proof of financial capacity. Additional requirements may vary depending on the type of travel agency services you plan to offer.

The required capital can vary widely, depending on several factors certainly, you can choose a physical office or operate online, depending on the scope of your services, and your marketing strategy.

Finding clients involves a combination of marketing strategies, basically online marketing (SEO, social media, and email campaigns), networking, attending travel expos, and word-of-mouth referrals. Building partnerships with local businesses and tourism boards can also help attract clients.

You can offer a wide range of services, including, but not limited to, booking flights, hotels, and tours; creating customized travel packages; providing visa assistance services; and providing travel insurance.

Challenges include extreme competition, fluctuating demand, and the need for continuous marketing efforts. 

Also, if you liked this article, then subscribing to our  YouTube Channel  for WordPress video tutorials would be the cherry on top. 

You can also find us on  Facebook ,  Instagram,   Twitter,  Linkedin ,  TikTok ,  Pinterest , and our dedicated, engaging  Facebook user community .

Further, if you have any queries, please submit them to our  Contact page .

You can get  WP Travel Pro  to start creating your travel and tour booking website within minutes without any hassle of coding.

Yam Bahadur Chhetri is a content writer and vivid contributor to the WordPress community and a WordPress enthusiast with an experience of 7+ years in the relative field. He also loves to develop WordPress Themes, Plugins, and custom WordPress development for clients.

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Step-by-Step Guide on How to Start a Travel Agency in the Philippines

Are you passionate about traveling and want to turn your love for exploring new places into a successful venture? Starting a travel agency in the Philippines can be a lucrative business opportunity for those who have a passion for travel and a flair for organizing unforgettable vacations.

However, setting up a travel agency from scratch can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to begin. That’s why we have prepared this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process and get your travel agency up and running in no time.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements for starting a travel agency in the Philippines. You will need to register your business with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and obtain the necessary permits and licenses. This will involve preparing the required documents, such as a business plan, financial statements, and proof of capitalization.

Once you have completed the legal formalities, it’s time to focus on building your travel agency’s brand. This involves choosing a memorable name and designing a visually appealing logo that reflects the essence of your agency. Creating a strong online presence by building a professional website and leveraging social media platforms can also help you attract potential customers.

You may also consider partnering with reputable airlines, hotels, and tour operators to offer a wide range of travel packages and ensure the best deals for your clients. Building strong relationships with these industry partners will not only enhance the credibility of your agency but also provide you with access to exclusive offers and promotions.

Marketing plays a crucial role in the success of any business, and your travel agency is no exception. Utilize both online and offline marketing strategies to create awareness about your agency and attract customers. This can include online advertising, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and participating in travel expos and events.

Providing exceptional customer service is vital in the travel industry, as word-of-mouth recommendations can make or break your business. Assemble a team of knowledgeable travel agents who can provide personalized recommendations, handle bookings, and ensure a seamless travel experience for your clients. Utilize technology to streamline your operations and provide real-time assistance to your customers.

Starting a travel agency requires careful planning, dedication, and a thorough understanding of the travel industry. By following these essential steps, you can lay a solid foundation for your travel agency and embark on a rewarding entrepreneurial journey in the Philippines.

Table of Contents

Research and Planning

Starting a travel agency in the Philippines requires thorough research and careful planning. Before diving into the business, it is important to gather information and understand the industry. Here are some key steps to help you with your research and planning:

1. Market Analysis:

Conduct a detailed analysis of the travel industry in the Philippines. Look into the current market trends, customer preferences, and demand for different types of travel services. Identify your target market and understand their needs and expectations.

2. Competitor Analysis:

Analyze the competition in the travel agency sector. Identify the key players, their services, pricing strategies, and target audience. Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses to identify opportunities for differentiation and competitive advantage.

3. Legal Requirements:

Research the legal requirements for starting a travel agency in the Philippines. Familiarize yourself with the necessary permits, licenses, and registrations. Ensure compliance with regulations and consider consulting with a lawyer or legal advisor.

4. Business Plan:

Create a detailed business plan that includes an executive summary, company description, market analysis, competitor analysis, marketing and sales strategies, financial projections, and operational plans. A well-written business plan will serve as a roadmap for your travel agency.

5. Funding:

Determine the financial requirements for your travel agency and explore funding options. Consider personal savings, loans from financial institutions, partnerships, or seeking investors. Develop a financial plan to estimate the costs of setting up and running your business.

6. Partnerships:

Establish partnerships with travel suppliers such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, and transportation providers. Research and negotiate contracts to ensure competitive pricing and availability of services for your clients.

7. Technology:

Research and invest in travel agency management software that can streamline operations, reservations, and bookings. Having a user-friendly website and online booking system will also be crucial for attracting customers and providing convenient services.

8. Marketing and Promotion:

Create a marketing plan to effectively promote your travel agency. Utilize a mix of traditional marketing methods such as print media, brochures, and direct mail, along with digital marketing strategies such as social media, online advertising, and search engine optimization. Be active on relevant travel forums and platforms to build your reputation and reach potential customers.

By conducting thorough research and careful planning, you can set a strong foundation for your travel agency in the Philippines. Keep in mind that the travel industry is dynamic and constantly evolving, so staying updated with the latest trends and innovations will be essential for long-term success.

Identify Market Opportunities

Before starting a travel agency in the Philippines, it is important to identify the market opportunities available in the industry. Understanding the market trends and demands will help you tailor your services and target the right audience.

One way to identify market opportunities is through market research. Conduct surveys and gather data to analyze the preferences of potential customers. This will provide insights into what services they are looking for, their preferred destinations, and their budget range.

Another way to identify market opportunities is by researching competitors. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses to get an idea of their target market and the services they offer. Look for gaps or areas that are not being fully served by existing travel agencies. This will allow you to position your agency in a unique way and offer services that cater to an untapped segment of the market.

Stay updated on the latest travel trends and developments in the Philippines. Monitor changes in traveler preferences, such as the rise of eco-tourism or the increasing demand for experiential travel. These insights will help you adapt your services to meet the evolving needs of the market.

Furthermore, consider partnering with local businesses or hotels to leverage their customer base and expand your reach. This could include collaborations with tour operators, airlines, or even travel bloggers to promote your services and attract more customers.

Identifying market opportunities is crucial for the success of your travel agency in the Philippines. By understanding the market and tailoring your services to meet the needs of customers, you can position your agency for growth and profitability.

Conduct Market Research

Before starting a travel agency in the Philippines, it is essential to conduct thorough market research. This research will help you understand the current trends, demands, and competition in the travel industry.

Here are some key steps to conduct market research:

1. Identify your target market: Determine the specific demographic or type of travelers you want to cater to. This could be honeymooners, adventure tourists, budget travelers, etc.

2. Analyze the competition: Study your competitors in the travel agency industry. Identify their strengths, weaknesses, and unique selling points. This will help you position your agency effectively in the market.

3. Understand customer preferences: Conduct surveys or interviews to gain insights into what customers look for in a travel agency. This will help you tailor your services to meet their expectations.

4. Research travel destinations: Stay updated with the latest travel destinations, attractions, and activities. This knowledge will allow you to offer unique and exciting travel packages to your clients.

5. Study market trends: Keep an eye on the latest industry trends, such as the growing popularity of sustainable travel or the rise of digital nomads. This will help you adapt your services to the changing needs of travelers.

6. Evaluate potential risks: Identify potential risks that may affect the travel industry, such as natural disasters or political instability. This will help you develop contingency plans to ensure the smooth operation of your agency.

By conducting comprehensive market research, you can gain valuable insights and make informed decisions to set up a successful travel agency in the Philippines.

Legal Requirements

Starting a travel agency in the Philippines requires compliance with certain legal requirements. Here are the key steps you need to follow:

1. Business Registration: Register your travel agency as a business entity with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Choose a unique business name and determine its legal structure, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

2. Mayor’s Permit: Obtain a mayor’s permit or business license from the local government unit (LGU) where your travel agency will be operated. This permit ensures that your business complies with local regulations.

3. BIR Registration: Register your travel agency with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for tax purposes. You will be issued a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and need to comply with tax obligations such as filing tax returns and paying taxes.

4. DTI Registration: If you choose to operate your travel agency as a sole proprietorship, register it with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to secure your business name and establish its legitimacy.

5. Tourism Accreditation: Apply for accreditation with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT). This accreditation ensures that your travel agency meets the quality standards set by the government and allows you to promote and sell tour packages.

6. Travel Agency License: Apply for a travel agency license from the DOT. This license grants you the legal authority to operate as a travel agency in the Philippines.

7. Insurance Coverage: Obtain insurance coverage for your travel agency, including general liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. This coverage protects your business and clients from potential risks and liabilities.

Ensure you comply with all the legal requirements to operate your travel agency legally and protect your business interests. It is advised to consult with a lawyer or business consultant to navigate through the legal process smoothly.

Register Your Business

Before launching your travel agency, it is important to register your business with the appropriate government agencies in the Philippines. This will give your agency the legal recognition and authority to operate.

1. Register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Contact the SEC and submit the necessary documents to register your travel agency as a corporation or partnership. The required documents usually include articles of incorporation, bylaws, and other supporting documents.

2. Register with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

If you are operating your travel agency as a sole proprietorship, you will need to register with the DTI. Submit the necessary documents, such as a completed application form and payment of registration fees.

3. Obtain the necessary permits and licenses

Check with the local government unit (LGU) where your travel agency will be based to determine the specific permits and licenses you need to operate legally. This may include a mayor’s permit, barangay clearance, and other permits depending on your location.

4. Secure a Certificate of Authority to Operate as a Travel Agency

Apply for a Certificate of Authority to Operate as a Travel Agency from the Department of Tourism (DOT). You will need to submit various documents, including your business registration papers, proof of financial capability, and a list of your tour packages.

Note: Always consult with a lawyer or business advisor to ensure you comply with all legal requirements and regulations.

Once you have completed the registration process and obtained all the necessary permits and licenses, you are ready to start operating your travel agency in the Philippines.

Get the necessary permits and licenses

Before you can legally operate a travel agency in the Philippines, you need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses. This ensures that you are compliant with the regulations and guidelines set by the government. Here are the steps to get the required permits and licenses:

It is crucial to complete the necessary paperwork and meet all the requirements to avoid any legal issues in the future. Keep in mind that the requirements may vary depending on your location, so it’s best to reach out to the respective authorities for specific instructions.

Once you have obtained all the permits and licenses, you can confidently start your travel agency business in the Philippines and begin offering your services to clients.

Setting Up Your Office

Once you have successfully registered your travel agency and obtained all the necessary licenses and permits, it’s time to set up your office. Having a professional and organized workspace is crucial for the success of your travel agency. Here are some steps to help you set up your office:

• Choose a suitable location: Look for a location that is easily accessible and convenient for both your clients and employees. Consider factors such as foot traffic, parking availability, and proximity to major transportation hubs.
• Furnish your office: Invest in comfortable and functional furniture such as desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and shelves. Make sure to choose furnishings that match your brand image and provide a welcoming atmosphere for your clients.
• Equip your office: Purchase the necessary office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners, and telephones. Install software that will help you manage bookings, keep track of client information, and generate reports.
• Set up a reservation system: Implement a reservation system that allows you to easily book flights, accommodations, and other travel services for your clients. Choose a reliable software or online platform that integrates with your back-office operations.
• Organize your paperwork: Create a filing system to keep track of important documents such as client contracts, vendor agreements, and financial records. Use folders, labels, and digital storage solutions to ensure everything is organized and easily accessible.
• Establish a professional image: Display your travel agency’s logo and branding throughout your office space. Use professional signage, brochures, and business cards to create a cohesive and professional image for your business.
• Ensure a comfortable waiting area: Create a comfortable waiting area for your clients with seating, magazines, and perhaps a small refreshment station. This will help create a positive first impression and make your clients feel welcome.
• Implement security measures: Install security systems such as CCTV cameras and alarm systems to protect your office and ensure the safety of your staff and clients. Implement data security measures to protect client information and comply with data privacy regulations.

Remember, the key to setting up a successful travel agency office is to create a comfortable and professional environment where clients can trust and rely on your services. Take the time to plan and invest in setting up your office properly, and it will pay off in the long run.

Choose a Location

When starting a travel agency in the Philippines, choosing the right location is crucial to your success. The location should be easily accessible to both tourists and locals and ideally situated in a popular tourist area.

Consider factors such as foot traffic, proximity to transportation hubs, and the presence of other travel agencies in the area. Being in a location where tourists naturally gather will increase your visibility and boost the chances of attracting potential customers.

Additionally, you want to select a location that aligns with your target market. For example, if you plan to specialize in adventure travel, consider setting up shop near outdoor recreational areas or popular hiking spots.

It’s also important to consider the cost of renting or purchasing a space in your desired location. Keep in mind that in highly sought-after tourist areas, rental prices may be higher. Conduct market research and budget accordingly to ensure that you can afford the location you choose.

Finally, do your homework and check local regulations and requirements for operating a travel agency in the chosen location. Some areas may have specific zoning restrictions or licensing requirements that you need to fulfill. Be sure to abide by all legal requirements to avoid any future complications.

Key points to consider when choosing a location for your travel agency:

• Easily accessible and in a popular tourist area
• Consider foot traffic and proximity to transportation hubs
• Align with your target market
• Cost of renting or buying a space
• Check local regulations and requirements

Taking the time to carefully choose the location for your travel agency can greatly contribute to its success. So be sure to evaluate all the factors and make an informed decision.

Purchase Equipment and Supplies

Once you have completed the necessary legal requirements and obtained your license to operate a travel agency in the Philippines, it is time to purchase the equipment and supplies you will need to run your business.

Here are some essential equipment and supplies to consider:

• Computers/laptops and related accessories such as keyboards, mice, and monitors
• Printers and scanners for printing travel documents and scanning important paperwork
• High-speed internet connection for research, communication, and online bookings
• Telephone lines and mobile phones for effective communication with clients and suppliers
• Furniture such as desks, chairs, and filing cabinets for a comfortable and organized office space
• Travel agency software and booking systems for managing reservations, itineraries, and customer information
• Office supplies like paper, pens, files, folders, and stationery
• Marketing materials including brochures, business cards, and promotional items
• Travel guides and maps to assist clients in planning their trips
• Insurance policies to protect your business and clients from unforeseen circumstances

Make sure to research and compare prices from different suppliers to get the best deals. Consider the quality and durability of equipment and supplies to avoid frequent replacements and repairs.

Having the right equipment and supplies will help you provide efficient and professional services to your clients. It will also contribute to the overall success and reputation of your travel agency in the long run.

Developing Your Services

Once you have established your travel agency, it is important to develop a range of services that will attract customers and meet their travel needs. Here are some steps to help you develop your services:

By researching the market, you can gather information about popular travel destinations, customer preferences, and competitors’ offerings. This will help you identify gaps in the market and create unique travel packages that cater to the needs and interests of your target audience.

Offering a variety of travel packages, such as adventure tours, beach getaways, and cultural experiences, will attract a wider range of customers and increase your chances of making sales. Additionally, providing personalized services, such as customized itineraries and tailored recommendations, will make your agency stand out from the competition.

Collaborating with local partners, such as hotels, tour operators, and transportation providers, can help you offer competitive prices and unique experiences to your customers. Building strong relationships with these partners will also enhance your reputation and credibility within the industry.

It is important to stay updated with industry trends, such as popular destinations, emerging travel technologies, and sustainable tourism practices. This will enable you to adapt your services and stay ahead of the competition.

Lastly, providing excellent customer service is crucial for the success of your travel agency. Make sure to respond to customer inquiries and concerns promptly, go the extra mile to exceed their expectations, and ask for feedback to continuously improve your services.

By following these steps and continuously refining your offerings, you can develop a strong and competitive range of services for your travel agency in the Philippines.

Define Your Target Market

Before starting a travel agency, it is crucial to define your target market. This will help you tailor your services and marketing efforts to reach the right audience.

To determine your target market, consider factors such as demographics, interests, and travel preferences. Identify the type of travelers you want to attract, such as adventure seekers, luxury travelers, budget-conscious individuals, or corporate clients.

In addition to demographics, consider psychographics, which include factors such as personalities, attitudes, and motivations. For example, some travelers may prioritize relaxation and leisure, while others may seek cultural immersion or outdoor activities.

Research existing market trends and competition to identify any gaps or opportunities. Look at the demand for different types of travel experiences and destinations among your target market.

Consider creating buyer personas to represent your ideal customers. These personas can help you understand their needs, pain points, and desires. Use this information to develop tailored products, itineraries, and marketing messages that resonate with your target market.

Remember that your target market may evolve over time, and it’s important to stay agile and adapt your strategies accordingly. Regularly review and refine your target market based on customer feedback, industry changes, and emerging travel trends.

By defining your target market, you can focus your efforts on reaching and serving the right customers, increasing the chances of success for your travel agency.

Create Attractive Packages

One of the key factors in attracting customers to your travel agency is the packages you offer. Creating attractive and enticing packages can help you stand out from the competition and capture the attention of potential clients. Here are some tips on how to create attractive packages for your travel agency:

By following these tips and creating attractive packages, you can increase the chances of attracting customers to your travel agency and stand out in the competitive travel industry.

Establish Partnerships

One crucial step in starting a travel agency is to establish partnerships with various travel suppliers and service providers. These partnerships will help you offer a wide range of travel options and services to your clients.

Here are some key partnerships to consider:

• Airlines: Collaborate with airlines to secure competitive rates and special deals for your clients. Partnering with multiple airlines can provide your agency with more options and flexibility.
• Hotels and Accommodations: Establish relationships with hotels, resorts, and other accommodation providers to offer your clients a variety of options. Negotiate discounted rates and exclusive deals to attract more customers.
• Transportation Services: Partner with car rental companies, tour operators, and other transportation service providers to offer your clients convenient and reliable transportation options during their travels.
• Travel Insurance Providers: Collaborate with reputable travel insurance companies to offer your clients comprehensive coverage and peace of mind during their trips.
• Local Tour Guides and Agencies: Establish partnerships with local tour guides and agencies to offer unique and customized experiences to your clients. These partnerships can provide insights into local attractions, culture, and customs.

Building strong and reliable partnerships is essential for the success of your travel agency. Regularly communicate with your partners, stay updated on the latest offerings and deals, and ensure excellent customer service.

Marketing and Promotion

Once you have set up your travel agency in the Philippines, marketing and promotion are crucial for the success of your business. Here are some strategies you can use to effectively market and promote your travel agency:

• Create a Professional Website: Having a well-designed and user-friendly website is essential for attracting potential customers. Make sure to include detailed information about your services, packages, and contact details.
• Utilize Social Media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be powerful tools for reaching a wider audience. Regularly update your profiles with captivating travel content, promotions, and discounts.
• Engage with Influencers: Collaborate with popular travel influencers or bloggers who have a significant following. They can promote your services and create engaging content about their travel experiences with your agency.
• Offer Special Deals and Packages: Attract customers by offering exclusive deals and packages. This could include discounted rates, free upgrades, or additional perks for booking with your agency.
• Attend Travel Expos and Events: Participating in travel expos and events will give you the opportunity to showcase your travel agency to a targeted audience. Network with potential customers and establish partnerships with other related businesses.
• Partner with Hotels and Airlines: Establish partnerships with hotels and airlines to offer special rates and packages to your customers. This will not only attract more customers but also add value to your services.
• Collect and Display Customer Testimonials: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews or testimonials about their experience with your agency. Display these testimonials on your website or social media platforms to build trust and credibility.
• Optimize for Search Engines: Implement search engine optimization techniques on your website to improve its visibility in search engine results. This will help potential customers find your travel agency when searching for related keywords.
• Offer Referral Programs: Incentivize your customers to refer your travel agency to their friends and family by offering discounts or rewards for successful referrals. Word-of-mouth recommendations can significantly boost your client base.

By implementing these marketing and promotion strategies, you can effectively showcase your travel agency in the Philippines and attract a steady flow of customers.

Build a Professional Website

Having a professional website is essential for any travel agency. It acts as a virtual office where potential customers can learn more about your services and make bookings. Follow these steps to build a professional website for your travel agency:

1. Choose a domain name: Select a domain name that is relevant to your travel agency and easy for customers to remember. It should also be available for registration.

2. Purchase web hosting: Find a reliable web hosting provider that offers fast and secure servers. Consider the amount of storage space, bandwidth, and security features they provide.

3. Design your website: Depending on your budget and technical skills, you can either hire a professional web designer or use website building platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Joomla. Choose a clean and user-friendly design, and make sure to include important information about your agency, such as contact details, services offered, and testimonials if available.

4. Create engaging content: Write compelling and informative content for your website’s pages, such as a home page, about us section, services page, and blog (if applicable). Use relevant keywords to optimize your website’s visibility in search engines.

5. Add booking functionality: If you offer booking services, integrate a secure and user-friendly booking system into your website. This will allow customers to make reservations directly from your site.

6. Optimize for mobile devices: Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. With more people using smartphones and tablets to browse the internet, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for attracting and retaining customers.

7. Include social media integration: Link your website to your travel agency’s social media accounts. This helps increase your online presence and allows customers to connect with you through multiple channels.

8. Test and launch: Before launching your website, thoroughly test all its features and functionality to ensure everything is working correctly. Make any necessary adjustments or fixes before making your website live.

9. Update and maintain: Regularly update your website with fresh content, promotions, and news. Also, ensure that your website’s security measures are up to date to protect customer information.

By following these steps, you can build a professional website that showcases your travel agency’s services and helps attract more customers.

Utilize Social Media

Social media platforms are one of the most effective ways to promote your travel agency in the Philippines. With millions of active users, these platforms provide a vast audience to engage with and attract potential clients. Here are some tips on how to effectively utilize social media for your travel agency:

Remember to regularly monitor your social media accounts, respond quickly to messages and comments, and analyze your analytics to track the effectiveness of your social media strategies. With a well-planned and executed social media presence, your travel agency in the Philippines can reach a wider audience and attract more clients.

Advertise Your Services

Once you have set up your travel agency in the Philippines, it’s important to advertise your services to attract potential customers. Here are some effective ways to advertise your travel agency:

By implementing these advertising strategies, you can effectively promote your travel agency and attract a steady flow of customers in the Philippines.

Can I start a travel agency from home?

Yes, it is possible to start a travel agency from home in the Philippines. With the advent of technology and the internet, more travel agencies are operating virtually, with agents working from home or remote locations. This setup can help reduce overhead costs and offer flexibility to both the agency and its employees. However, you would still need to fulfill all the necessary legal requirements and obtain the required permits and licenses from the government.

What are the requirements for starting a travel agency in the Philippines?

The requirements for starting a travel agency in the Philippines include obtaining a business registration from the Department of Trade and Industry or the Securities and Exchange Commission, securing a mayor’s permit from the city hall, registering with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and obtaining accreditation from the Department of Tourism.

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Ultimate Guide on How to Start a Travel Agency 

Disclosure: Small Business Philippines strives to provide relevant and accurate information in all its articles. However, some information in our articles may differ or might be outdated from what you can see or read directly from the establishments’ or businesses’ websites. Please get in touch with us directly for any discrepancies.

A travel agency is a business that specializes in providing travel-related services, such as booking flights, accommodations, tours, and other travel arrangements for clients. As an aspiring entrepreneur looking on how to start a travel agency in the Philippines, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals of this exciting industry.

Why Start a Travel Agency in the Philippines?

When is the right time to start, where to set up your travel agency, step 1: research and planning, step 2: legal requirements and licensing, step 3: creating your brand identity, step 4: building supplier relationships, step 5: online presence and marketing strategies, step 6: reservation and booking systems, step 7: providing exceptional customer service, 1. niche specialization, 2. collaborations and partnerships, 3. embrace technology and innovation, key takeaways.

The Philippines is a tropical paradise and an increasingly popular tourist destination. With its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality, the country offers tremendous potential for a thriving travel agency. Starting a travel agency in the Philippines allows you to tap into the growing tourism industry and cater to both domestic and international travelers.

The Philippines boasts a diverse range of attractions, from pristine beaches and world-class diving spots to historic sites and vibrant festivals. The country’s unique blend of natural beauty, friendly locals, and diverse cultural experiences make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking unforgettable adventures.

The tourism industry in the Philippines has been steadily growing, making it an opportune time to start a travel agency. With the world gradually recovering from the pandemic, travel demand is expected to rise. As restrictions ease and travel resumes, there will be a surge in people’s desire to explore new destinations.

It’s important to stay updated with market trends and consider factors such as seasonality and peak travel periods when planning your business launch. Take advantage of emerging travel trends and target niche markets to create unique travel experiences that cater to specific interests and preferences.

Choosing the right location for your travel agency is crucial for success. Consider setting up your office in a tourist hotspot or a strategic urban area with good accessibility. Popular tourist destinations like Manila, Cebu, and Boracay are excellent choices due to their established infrastructure and high visitor numbers.

In addition to a physical location, establishing a strong online presence through a website and social media platforms is also essential to reach a broader audience. Invest in a user-friendly website that showcases your services, provides detailed information about destinations, and allows clients to make bookings online.

How to Start a Travel Agency: Step-by-Step Guide

Begin by conducting thorough market research to identify your target audience, competitors, and the unique selling points of your travel agency. Understand the needs and preferences of your potential clients to tailor your services accordingly. Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your goals, marketing strategies, financial projections, and operational framework.

Comply with the legal requirements for starting a travel agency in the Philippines. This includes registering your business, obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, and adhering to local regulations. Consult with a legal professional to ensure compliance and avoid any legal complications.

Craft a compelling brand identity that aligns with your target market. Your brand should convey the essence of your agency and differentiate you from competitors. Develop a memorable brand name, design an eye-catching logo, and establish your agency’s unique value proposition. Building a strong brand image will help you stand out in the competitive travel industry and attract customers.

Forge partnerships with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other travel-related suppliers. Negotiate favorable contracts, secure competitive pricing, and establish a reliable network of suppliers to offer diverse travel options to your clients. Strong relationships with suppliers can lead to better deals, exclusive packages, and enhanced customer experiences.

Create a professional website that showcases your services, destinations, and contact information. Implement effective digital marketing strategies to promote your travel agency. Search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content creation, and email marketing are some of the key tactics to drive traffic to your website and generate leads. Engage with potential customers through engaging content, captivating visuals, and personalized experiences.

Invest in a reliable reservation and booking system to streamline your operations. This will enable you to efficiently manage travel arrangements, handle payments, and provide excellent customer service. Automation tools can save you time and enhance the overall client experience. Choose a system that is user-friendly, secure, and offers seamless integration with your website and other platforms.

Deliver outstanding customer service to build a strong reputation and gain repeat business. Train your staff to provide personalized assistance, prompt responses to inquiries, and handle unexpected situations with professionalism and efficiency. Going the extra mile to exceed customer expectations can lead to positive reviews, referrals, and long-term loyalty.

Examples and Tips for Success

Consider specializing in a specific niche to differentiate your agency from competitors. This could be adventure travel, luxury vacations, eco-tourism, or even catering to specific demographics such as solo travelers, families, or retirees. Catering to a specific target market allows you to tailor your services and provide unique experiences that resonate with your customer’s interests and preferences.

Collaborate with local businesses, influencers, and tourism boards to expand your reach and attract more clients. Participate in travel expos, sponsor relevant events, and engage in joint marketing campaigns to increase brand visibility. Partnering with complementary businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services can create mutually beneficial relationships that attract more customers.

Stay updated with the latest technological advancements in the travel industry. Embrace innovations like virtual reality tours, mobile apps for seamless travel experiences, and automation tools to enhance your business operations and stay ahead of the curve. Adopting technology not only improves efficiency but also enhances the overall customer experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Starting a travel agency in the Philippines offers immense opportunities for success. By understanding the basics, conducting thorough research, building strong supplier relationships, creating a compelling brand, and implementing effective marketing strategies, you can establish a thriving travel agency. Remember to prioritize exceptional customer service and stay adaptable to changing market trends.

Starting a travel agency in the Philippines requires careful planning, market research, and strategic implementation. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your entrepreneurial journey and create a successful travel business in 2023 and beyond.

• Conduct thorough research and create a comprehensive business plan.
• Comply with legal requirements and obtain the necessary licenses.
• Build a strong brand identity and establish a unique value proposition.
• Forge partnerships with travel suppliers and negotiate competitive contracts.
• Implement effective online marketing strategies and create a professional website.
• Invest in a reliable reservation and booking system for streamlined operations.
• Provide exceptional customer service to build a strong reputation.
• Consider niche specialization, collaborations, and technological innovations for a competitive edge.

Ready to embark on your journey as a travel agency entrepreneur? Start planning today and unlock the endless possibilities of the Philippine tourism industry!

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How to Start a Travel Agency Business in the Philippines

If you are looking for a bank loan, they may need a business plan. While it`s not technically a necessity, it`s something I highly recommend. I didn`t write a business plan when I launched this website, but I also knew about online marketing and the travel industry front and back and had the connections to the industry to make it work. Most people who start a home travel agency have no experience in starting a business or they have no experience in traveling. This is where a business plan can help. Hello Nazma! We can help you set up the travel agency at home or in the office. Please visit our Facebook @The Travel Depot or website at www.thetraveldepot.ph or call 09176800968 to find out more hl van. Can I receive your email so I can send you the details on how to start the travel business? Or you can call 09176800968 or visit our website at www.thetraveldepot.ph to learn more. A surprising fact is that starting a travel agency business in the Philippines does not necessarily require a large amount of capital. Therefore, in addition to being profitable, it could be exciting and fun for an entrepreneur who loves the travel industry.

How much does it cost to set up a travel agency with a business permit, etc.? Since many customers think about price, travel time, and other factors, don`t expect them all to make immediate decisions. Having these brochures available will be convenient. How do you know if you should choose a host agency or a travel agency franchise, or if you need to be independent and get your own accreditation? How do you decide which travel consortia to join if you are self-employed? How to choose a host agency if there are more than 100 listed on the site? Accreditation. IATA or non-IATA agents – Travel agents can either apply to be accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the international regulator of airlines, passenger sellers and cargo agents. As an accredited agent, they can sell international and/or domestic tickets on behalf of airlines. You also have the right to book, issue or revalidate tickets issued or, if necessary, to have other airlines approved. Your agency should also be present at travel fairs and tourism activities so that you can meet like-minded people, not only target customers, but also potential partners and suppliers. For example, if you are a travel agent whose office is located near the resorts, you should contact these companies to form a partnership – they promote their business and refer you to other customers. Maybe we want to grow our brand as a travel and travel agency here in the Philippines, and this article really gave me some information about that, so thank you very much. Market Analysis: This provides more detailed information about the target market and the company`s competitors. Whew.

That list was a bit overwhelming, wasn`t it? The fact is that there is a lot of preparatory work to be done to start a travel agency. Wouldn`t it be nice if someone just sent you a step-by-step guide with a list of things you need to do to start a travel agency from home? Wouldn`t it be even better if it was completely free? The Internet is a wonderful place to share your moments with your friends and family. This is especially good for those who love to travel. Everywhere on the web (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) it does not fail to present the wonders of the world. When you start building a travel agency in the Philippines, one of the most critical areas is hiring the right people and team. If your budget is low, don`t be afraid! This is because some travel agency tasks can be generated by computer, saving you time and money. (e.B. Squareup, which allows you to book appointments quickly and effortlessly) Just like in other industries, there are many ways to market a travel agency business. If you were able to build a travel agency in the Philippines with an excellent brand image, you could reap many benefits. Operating room. Space is scarce, but travel agency offices don`t need to be huge as long as employees can meet customers` needs in a well-organized office layout.

The home travel agency may only need at least 10 to 15 m² of space for a few employees and machines. Commercial spaces, which typically measure between 60 and 200 m² and are located in high-traffic areas, can accommodate guests without an appointment. As with fein, you don`t need a separate business account or credit card when starting a travel agency if you`re a sole proprietor, but you wish you had set up a tax period! Separating your personal bank account from the business account from the beginning makes accounting easier and helps you track the amortization of business expenses. However, if the business is growing or you want to accommodate a wider range of clients for a variety of services, at least two travel agencies in the office is the ideal facility for an agency for walk-in clients. Workforce expansion may have a two-person agency in the booking and ticketing area, cashier/accountant, receptionist to answer calls and handle walk-in visits, and messenger to deliver or pick up documents. To get started, check out our article “The Top 10 Benefits of Using a Hospitality Agency.” If you`re reading this and decide that a host agency is right for you, you`ll jump on to our article on choosing a hospitality agency and take a look at our best hospitality agencies of 2021. Here are the important things you need to do when setting up this business: Funny to mention this! Host Agency Reviews` FREE 7-day setup will guide you step-by-step through getting your travel agency started. free.

😊 Whether you choose a host agency or choose to become self-employed, you will need a name for our agency. Suppliers (hotels, cruise lines, airlines, etc.) need the name of the travel agency for their records, so prepare one before you can start selling trips. If you have already selected a niche, you can choose the name of your travel agency. Here`s why it may take a while to get started (especially if you`re starting a travel agency from home) According to the travel industry in the Philippines, there are two types of travel agencies. Are there seminar dates for starting a travel and tour business? Thank you po If you have a franchise, you can have it managed by your travel agent while using an established name in the industry. In addition, as a franchisee, you will receive training, systems, promotions and the establishment of a travel agency in the Philippines. Your business can establish a social media presence, with a Facebook page to promote tour packages and gain engagement, Twitter to respond to travel inquiries, or promote your website`s latest blog update. Instagram will also display photos of destinations. Let`s take a look at the steps of setting up a travel agency in the Philippines.

We will also explore the option of a travel franchise to the Philippines for those interested in the franchise option! Owners need to consider many factors when looking for an ideal location. The most important thing could be accessibility to the target market. Secondly, the location should be convenient for them. Finally, the business owner must ensure that the space is affordable. A travel agency is essentially an office. It has to carry out transactions through online websites and therefore an internet connection is required in addition to a computer. The computer does not need to be the high-end and can be a basic package that can handle day-to-day operations. The travel industry is booming and this may be the best time to take advantage of this trend. With only a moderate amount of capital and a lot of energy, a person in this business can find financial success and personal fulfillment.

To learn more about this company, you can attend a one-day seminar on this topic. With hard work in the right direction, there is often a reward. Many factors influence a travel agency`s revenue, e.B the target market, the packages offered and the partners. As an estimate, the profit of a small travel agency per month could be around PHP 10,000, and in high season it could be PHP 50,000 or more. This benefit can be x5, x10 or more, depending on the size of the company. To do this, you can pay attention to your company`s brand name and logo. Then you can advertise by installing signs in front of your office, shopping malls, and other public places. And money. You`ll probably want to know what to expect when it comes to money, right?! 😊I hate to admit it, but there is no firm answer. It depends on so many factors.

The good news is that we were so curious to answer this question that in the early years of setting up a travel agency, we surveyed a few hundred new travel agencies about their revenue. Business Strategy: This section describes the plan to continue operating and building a travel agency business in the Philippines through marketing and pricing of products or services. How do I start a home portal ticketing agency? When you open your travel agency, you may have registered it as Margarita Travel. But over time, that could change. Let`s say you`ve become the local wedding expert that everyone has turned to. Margarita Travel works, but you want to have a more romantic name for these customers and a different brand. Here`s how to create a new brand, Beach Romance, that specializes in destination weddings. .

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 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.

Travel Agency Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my travel agency business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Travel Agency Business Plan.

Where Can I Download a Travel Agent Business Plan PDF?

You can download our travel agent business plan PDF template here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

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How to Start a Travel and Tour Agency Franchise in the Philippines

From seat sales to tour packages, the Philippines is ramping up its efforts to set up the travel and tourism industry for a resurgence. In 2022, visitor arrivals in the Philippines reached the 2-million mark , accounting for ₱100 billion in estimated visitor receipts. The industry’s expected annual growth rate is at 5.49% , resulting in a projected market volume of US$5.5 billion by 2028.

With these figures, it’s easy to see why there’s a renewed interest in exploring the diverse beauty of the archipelago and why many find the industry an alluring place to start a venture. Franchising offers an enticing entry point for capitalizing on the expanding tourism market in the Philippines.

So, before inquiring for a business loan in the Philippines to start your travel agency franchise, here’s a guide to get valuable insights and practical tips to help you begin this exciting entrepreneurial journey.

Requirements and Costs of Getting a Travel and Tour Agency Franchise

Before you set off on this business venture, map out the requirements and costs involved. Let’s explore the process of acquiring a travel and tour franchise in the Philippines, covering types, requirements, initial investment, and ongoing expenses. 

D ifferent Types of Travel and Tour Agencies in the Philippines

• Retail travel agencies assist with creating itineraries, finding deals, arranging transportation and accommodation, handling refunds and cancellations, and managing insurance and travel documents.
• Online travel agencies (OTA) connect buyers with travel products like airfare, lodging, car rentals, and holiday packages with a focus on personalized customer experiences.
• Wholesale travel agencies buy everything in bulk from airlines, hotels, and transportation companies and then sell them to retail travel agencies .

After figuring out the type of franchise you want to set up, you need to provide requirements to get started. Take note that these are for new franchises only .

Starting a travel agency franchise in the Philippines involves expenses depending on factors in your business plan , like location, business size, office setup, staffing, and marketing efforts. Initial costs usually fall between ₱500,000 to ₱1,000,000 or more. Remember to budget for things like licenses, permits, office space, tech needs, and staff training to make this ballpark figure more accurate.

Best Practices for Running a Successful Travel and Tour Agency Franchise in the Philippines

Though lucrative, the industry can be a tough one to navigate. Here are some of the best practices you can do for your growing travel venture.

General tips

Choose a strategic location.

You want to be noticed by your audience. Opt for a spot with high visibility and accessibility, ideally near terminals and malls.

Offer competitive prices and packages

You can stand out amidst the competition by providing value-driven pricing and appealing packages tailored to your customer’s preferences.

Provide excellent customer service

Ensure excellent customer service and keep your clients coming back by training your staff to deliver knowledgeable, courteous, and responsive services that build loyalty and enhance your reputation.

Maintain a good reputation

To get to the top, you need to uphold high standards of integrity and service quality. Address customer feedback and concerns to cultivate and maintain a positive reputation in the industry.

For Attracting and Retaining Customers

Create a website and social media presence.

With a captivating website and engaging social media presence, you can effectively showcase your services and connect with potential customers through compelling content and meaningful interactions.

Build a loyal customer base

Your customers are the lifeblood of your franchise. Prioritize customized experiences, attentive service, and ongoing communication for strong customer relationships, loyalty, and repeat business.

Ask for referrals and testimonials

Word-of-mouth recommendations and testimonials from satisfied customers are invaluable assets for your franchise, amplifying your reach and helping build your credibility to attract more prospects. After all, nothing’s more convincing than a happy customer and five stars.

Join travel fairs and expos

Travel fairs and expos showcase your business and tangibly engage with potential customers. Eye-catching displays, exclusive deals, and interactive activities create a lasting impression on attendees and provide quality leads.

For Managing and Growing the Business

Hire and train qualified staff.

Being the face of your franchise, your staff should deliver exceptional customer experiences. Invest in hiring qualified individuals who are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and customer-oriented.

To supplement their efforts, provide comprehensive training so they can assist customers, handle inquiries, and represent your brand effectively and professionally.

Keep track of finances and inventory

Implement robust accounting systems and inventory tracking software to monitor cash flow, as well as other business growth strategies . Regularly reconcile accounts, track sales performance, and evaluate financial data to pinpoint areas for improvement and optimize profitability.

Comply with laws and regulations

Operating a travel and tour agency franchise entails adherence to various laws and legislations governing the industry. Not only do these keep you in business—preventing financial challenges like fines—but they also boost client trust.

Seek new opportunities and partnerships

Continuously explore new opportunities and partnerships to expand your franchise’s reach and offerings. Apart from identifying trends within the travel industry, you can benefit from forging strategic partnerships with airlines, hotels, tourism boards, and other industry stakeholders to enhance your product offerings.

For Overcoming Challenges and Risks

Cope with seasonality.

Travel and tour agency franchises experience fluctuations in demand due to seasonal variations in travel preferences. Consider offering specialized packages and promotions tailored to different seasons and target markets. 

For example, a hot spring package during the cold rainy season or water rafting for the hot summer seasons. You can also try being creative by promoting off-peak destinations or seasonal activities to attract customers year-round.

Deal with competition

Competition in the sector can also be a source of inspiration for your innovation and improvement. Differentiate your franchise by emphasizing unique selling points, such as personalized service, exclusive partnerships, or niche offerings, and make sure to stay one step ahead.

Handle complaints and disputes

Adopt a proactive approach to addressing customer complaints by training your staff to pay close attention to what customers have to say, empathize with their concerns, and offer timely resolutions.

Adapt to shifting customer preferences and market trends

The travel industry is constantly evolving. Stay agile and responsive by monitoring customer behavior, preferences, and feedback regularly. The ones who listen rise to the top because they know what their customers want and need.

Chart Your Course to Travel and Tourism Success

Although establishing a travel and tour agency franchise in the Philippines is a considerable investment, it’s clear that this industry holds significant promise for ambitious entrepreneurs. Franchising provides access to well-established brand equity with ongoing support structures. However, success in this sector demands adaptability, innovation, and a keen grasp of market dynamics.

At Zenith Capital, we’re dedicated to bolstering your entrepreneurial aspirations with tailored small business loans and other financial solutions. Our range of funding options can cater to your unique needs, whether you’re launching a new franchise or expanding existing operations.

With our expertise and resources, we’re ready to provide the financial backing you require. Take the next step toward making your entrepreneurial dreams come true, and contact us today. Apply now !

Rizza Templonuevo is not just an accomplished finance professional and business leader, but also a loving wife and a dedicated mother of two. With a passion for helping businesses grow and thrive, she brings her extensive knowledge and expertise as Vice President of Zenith Capital Credit Group Corporation to help countless SMEs and corporations across the Philippines access the financing they need to succeed.

When she’s not busy with work, Rizza enjoys immersing herself in the worlds of fashion and social events, as well as traveling to new and exciting places.

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How to Start Online Travel Agency in the Philippines

August 10, 2022 Businesstips 1 Comment

Venturing into the business world is one of the most crucial decisions anyone should make. If you love traveling, starting an online travel agency in the Philippines might be for you. This business involves offering a tour package in the Philippines and even booking accommodations and flights for your customers.

But how do you start an online travel agency in the Philippines? To find out, read our guide below.

Step By Step Process on How to Start Online Travel Agency in the Philippines

1. develop a travel agency business plan.

First off, you should develop a business plan. It is the initial phase for any business startup wherein you will decide if you’re putting up your travel agency or acquiring a travel franchise. During this phase, you should develop a business description, determine your target market, and estimate the startup cost to prepare your finances.

2. Choose Your Partners

The next step is to choose your business partners based on the services and tour package in the Philippines you’re going to offer. When selecting partners like airlines and hotels, you should evaluate their charges to determine your markup and potential income.

Also, since you’re new in the field, it is ideal to use platforms where you can book flights and accommodation and even process the passports of your customers. By doing so, you only need to pay the subscription fee until you get familiarized with the business.

3. Apply For Permits and Licenses

After you’ve figured out everything, it is time to apply for permits and licenses. To legally operate and maximize your potential earnings, you should register your travel agency business at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) . It only applies if you’re doing business at home or by yourself.

However, for partnerships or corporations, you should register your business at the Security of Exchange and Commission (SEC) . For more details on starting a travel agency in the Philippines, read R.A. 1478.

4. Set Up Your Office

While online travel agencies transact online, it is better to have an office at home or by renting a space. It gives your business more credibility and attracts more clients, knowing that your travel agency business has a physical office.

For instance, you can turn a vacant room in your home into an office and acquire the equipment needed for a travel agency business, such as a computer, printer, photocopy machines, landline phone, and CCTV cameras. You can also set up a small lounge for walk-in clients, especially for those who would avail of tour packages for big groups.

5. Workforce Planning

Since most business startups usually have the owner as the sole staff, you should do workforce planning. If you do everything from contacting your partners to finding customers, hiring one to two staff is necessary for the future to continue growing your business.

But if you don’t have the budget yet to pay full-time staff, you can outsource jobs from freelance workers. It gives you more time, allowing you to focus on other matters and expand your business.

6. Offer Popular Tour Packages

During the first phase of business planning, you must have known what tour package in the Philippines to offer. However, with many options available, it is frustrating to manage everything as a novice in the field. So as other successful businesses do, it is better to focus first on the most popular tour packages, such as Boracay, Coron, Palawan, Cebu, and other famous tourist spots in the country.

You can also offer tour packages near your area, so it would be easier for you to contact partners. By focusing on popular tour packages, you will have a higher potential of attracting customers even if you’re starting.

7. Start Marketing & Advertising

Lastly, good marketing and advertising strategy are essential to establish your business and increase brand awareness. Apart from offering popular tour packages, you’ll have a better edge than your competitors if your social pages and website are optimized, making your business more visible to your target market.

Overall, an online travel agency in the Philippines can be tricky at first. But once you have processed the legalities and understand what tour package in the Philippines to offer to your customers, you can certainly earn big with a travel agency business.

BusinessTips.ph is an online Business Ezine that provides free and useful articles, guide, news, tips, stories and inspirations on business, finance, entrepreneurship, management and leadership, online and offline marketing, law and taxation, and personal and professional development to Filipinos and all the business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, marketers, leaders, teachers and business students around the world.

December 29, 2023 at 4:38 pm

can I register just DTI for online travel agency, no meed mayors permit?

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How To Start A Travel Agency In The Philippines

• Post author By varun
• Post date December 2, 2022

If you always wanted to get into the travel space in the Philippines, here’s a detailed guide on how to start a travel agency in The Philippines along with a few tips. 

In the post-pandemic world, the travel industry has bounced back and expanded to reach uncharted horizons. 

The tourism industry in the Philippines is one of the leading and developing industries in the country. It is also one of the main sources of income. Infact, the sector is growing rapidly due to increase in demand, and expansion of the hotel and resort industry there. Hence, it’s a great time and opportunity to start a travel agency in the Philippines now.

Here are quick steps and trip for you to start your own travel agency in the Philippines.

10 Tips To Start A Travel Agency In The Philippines

1. find your niche .

If you are thinking of starting a travel agency in the Phillippines, then it might not be a bad idea to think about a niche that you can serve better than others. But do remember, there’s a fair amount of money that can still be made from being a lot of things to a lot of people. So a niche helps with word-of-mouth growth, but having a wide service helps in getting more repeat business from the same customer. 

So, you must focus on your strengths as well as weaknesses and find out what works for your agency. And above all: you must know the nitty-gritty of your niche to gain the trust of your customers. For instance, a couple from Uttarakhand who loved to travel to offbeat locations renovated an old home and opened the much-loved Doi Homestay. Similarly, a young traveler started sharing his travel stories online and now takes people on treks. 

2. Get An Accreditation

In the Philippines, travel agents have to get accreditation to be able to sell domestic or international tickets on behalf of airlines. You can either choose to be accredited by IATA (International Air Transport Association), or non-IATA agents. IATA accreditation can be a little more expensive since it’s the international regulator of airlines, passenger sellers, and cargo agents, but if you have the required capital, you should go for IATA accreditation. 

3. Determine Your Travel Services

Before you do anything, you must figure out the travel services you’d like to provide to your customers. If you are daring, you can start off with holiday packages – a segment where you book hotels, flights, transfers, activities, and more! 

In case that’s too much, you can offer basic services such as airport, railway and bus station transfers as well as car rental services. Other essential services offered by a travel agency include bureau de change, travel insurance as well as consistent medical assistance. 

When you’re learning more about how to start a travel agency in the Philippines, this is a step that is of prime importance. While you can expand your services in the future, getting it right the first time is imminent. 

4. Create a Website

An optimized website is necessary for any contemporary travel agency that wishes to reach its target audience organically. Your website is your portfolio that displays all the trips you have arranged till now, the packages you are offering as well as what your customers think about you.

Having a business website is also an astute way to let your customers know what you stand for. In the age of immersive travel experiences, your customers want to know if your travel agency is just covering those tourist attractions that are swarmed with tourists all year long or if you believe in allowing the travelers to get a complete insight into the culture and traditions of a destination and unraveling its soul. 

If you want to start a travel agency and are wondering where to begin, you’re in the right place! Pathfndr is an AI-powered travel operating system. What this means is that with the help of Pathfndr, you can not only create a well-designed travel website, but also sell packages, hotels, and tours. Since it’s affordable and provides great customer service, you can get started in no time at all. 

5. Find Partners

If you are wondering about the next step of starting a travel agency in the Philippines, then we are here to guide you. As a young agency, it can be difficult to establish your presence in the industry and attract customers.

In this case, finding partners or organizations to collaborate with can be a good idea. There are several travel companies in the Philippines that invite travel agencies to collaborate and list their packages on their platform at nominal rates and gain organic leads from their websites.

6. Build an Online Social Media Presence

When starting a travel and tourism business, it is important to build a strong online presence. Your social media presence is as important as your offline activities. By maintaining a social media account, you can give modern-day travelers a glimpse of the picture-perfect trips you arrange for your customers. 

Not only is social media a wonderful way to invite travelers on a trip virtually, but it also allows tech-savvy travel agencies to keep a track of what is creating the most buzz in the community.

Wondering where you should take your customers next? Perhaps, the clue lies in your most-liked Instagram photos.

7. Finalize a Business Structure

Once you have decided to start your travel agency, it’s time to figure out the structure of your travel business. Finalize a name for your business & then, if you are a sole proprietor, register your business name with the DTI. If you are a corporation, register your business name with the SEC. 

Get a barangay clearance before you obtain a mayor’s permit. And then register your business with the BIR. You may want to be accredited with the Department of Tourism for better marketing in the future.

8. Choose Your Base to Expand Your Travel Agency

Another important step in the process of ‘how to start a travel agency in the Philippines’ is to choose the base from where you would expand your travel agency. Considering today’s day and age, you can always keep your entire business online and run a travel agency from your home. 

If not that, you can set up shop right in the heart of a popular tourist destination or metropolitan. You can also travel far and choose to run things from the outskirts. Regardless of the location you choose for your base, if you want to make a travel business happen, it will happen! 

9. Create Attractive Travel Packages

The next step regarding how to start a travel agency in the Philippines is to create travel packages that are not only profitable but can also offer an unparalleled experience to your customers.

From basic packages that include excursions to breathtaking destinations to adventurous packages that include outdoor activities and experiences, you can plan a variety of packages that may cover a broad range of customers or a narrow target audience.

10. Make Customers Happy

For most travelers, the journey matters as much as the destination. So, you have to make sure that your customers are getting the best value for money. Make sure that you are consistently in touch with your customer from the origin point itself and listen to what they actually need. A travel agency must develop its empathy levels if they wish to deal with various kinds of travelers. 

Moreover, do not forget to ask for their feedback. It not only shows that you care about what your customers think, but it would also help you to develop a more personalized travel experience that is the demand of the 21st century.

• List Your Business

Tips on How to Start a Travel Agency Business in the Philippines

The internet is a wonderful place to be able to share your moments with friends and family. This is especially good for those who love to travel. All around the web (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) there is no shortage in showcasing the wonders of the world.

Even if you are not that kind of traveler, and would prefer a vacation, there will be a lot of things you need to do before you are able to land in Bali. You would have to make an itinerary of the places you will go, then search for the best prices available. But seeing that you need a vacation, you are probably not the type of person to have time to do these things.

This is not to exclude business people who are always on the go and are travelling from country to country for meetings with various companies that may require immediate scheduling.

Which is why a travel agency is made! Yes, there is a business out there that makes quick work for you as they are used to the type of bookings that you need with experience of handling multitudes of clients. A travel agency is still a profitable venture amidst the creation of booking applications on smartphones. An app can not compare to the capable hands of a travel agency when it comes to juggling multiple clients with sudden commitments to a schedule.

If you are a keen entrepreneur and interested to start a travel agency business in the Philippines, then you should continue reading to give you tips before you make it big!

Know what type of travel agency you will operate

Currently, there are two kinds of travel agencies that you can run:

IATA Agents – These agencies are accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The IATA is an international regulating body for airlines and their related departments. Although optional, being credited by them provides you a credible reputation that says that you are a trustworthy agency to issue tickets to customers.

Furthermore, you are granted access to reissue, rebook, and revalidate tickets.

Non-IATA Agents – These agencies are the opposite end of the spectrum. Essentially, they can not book tickets themselves but instead buy them from respective IATA-credited agents or through the airline itself.

Remember to register your business

Any kind of business must always go through the process of registration to properly legalize your operations and validate that you are compliant with all the requirements needed.

If you are the sole proprietor of the business, then you can head to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). For partnerships and corporations, you must head to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

You also have to obtain a barangay clearance, mayor’s permit, and BIR certificate at the barangay and city where your business is located.

Optionally, you can further your validity and credibility as a travel agency by being accredited by the Department of Tourism (DoT).

Acquire the essential equipment that you need

A travel agency is basically an office. It needs to do transactions through online websites and thus an internet connection is needed alongside a computer. The computer does not need to be the top of the line and can be a basic package that can handle day to day operations.

A phone line is also handy for handling inquiries, as well as a fax machine to get request to clients information when it cannot be made online.

Sometimes you deal with customers who would rather engage in less formal conversation through applications such as Facebook Messenger, Viber, or WhatsApp. As such, an office smart phone should always be available to accommodate these kinds of customers.

Hire the right people

As you start your business, the travel agency can be run just by yourself. As your business grows, however, you should consider hiring people to take care of the accounts, inquiries, and ticketing services of your business.

At most, there should be two available staff at the office at any given time to answer inquiries and manage walk-in visits to the office.

A good employee should be screened first for any excellent background that they may have, preferably those with a degree in tourism and a knack for using a computer for reserving tickets.

Market your business

A brand and logo should always be timely and relevant so as to minimize the change throughout the years and make people remember your business.

Flyers and signages should be utilized to its potential by being put up at the best locations possible such as malls and media such as newspapers sections.

Festivals are also a good way to promote travelling using your travel agency as there are likely a number of people present who are interested in touring around the world.

3 responses to “Tips on How to Start a Travel Agency Business in the Philippines”

How much to start a travel agency including business permit and etc.?

i want to start this buisness and tell me how

I’d like to start this bussiness Travels agency, in 30k which include?

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How to Start a Travel Agency in the Philippines

• Home Based Business

Starting a travel and tour agency needs only little capital. It can be a fun, exciting, and profitable business for any aspiring entrepreneur. The business has a high potential since the travel and tour industry is steadily growing as the population increases and per capita income continuously expands its market. Besides the income from the business is the chance to enjoy the perks of traveling at wholesale prices.

A travel and tour agency sells services and products relating to travel. As such, besides the expected airline tickets; you can also sell tour packages, car rentals, cruises, hotel accommodations, and many other items to supplement your main product line.

Here are the important things to do in setting up this business:

1. Decide first on the type of travel agency you want to setup. If you have substantial capital you may want to be an IATA (International Air Transport Association) member so that you can issue airline tickets. However, it is possible for non-IATA agencies to partner with IATA agencies to be able to obtain tickets for their customers.

2. Register your business. Come up with a meaningful name that will leave a favourable impression on your target market and register it with the DTI if sole proprietor or SEC if a corporation. Then get a barangay clearance before obtaining a mayor’s permit and registering with the BIR. Later on you may want to be accredited with the Department of Tourism to improve your marketing.

3. Find a suitable location. Go to where your customers are plentiful. Your place will also make a statement on the quality of your service. So do not locate in a rundown, crime ridden, out of the way location.

4. Apply with IATA if you wish to issue tickets yourself. After you have established your local legal requirements you can now apply for IATA membership. Note that you will need several million pesos for this. If you plan to be an IATA agency you should go to their website at www.iata.org where you can download their application form and read carefully the procedures on how to fill out this form.

5. Buy the necessary equipments. Only standard office equipment is needed. A computer with internet connection, a fax machine, and at least two telephones.

6. Train your employees well. A wrong booking may land your customer in the wrong country! Therefore those in charge of talking with the customers must already know what to do because mistakes will be very costly. Training in computer reservation systems like Amadeus or Abacus is important for efficient operations.

7. Join a trade association. It would benefit your business if you will join a travel agency association. You get trainings, familiarization tours, plus the credibility in belonging to a national group. Besides the other requirements, you usually would need the endorsement of a member of the association for your application to be accepted.

8. Market your business. There are many ways to market your business. Travel agencies here often resort to advertising in the newspapers. Some pay for spots in the yellow pages. There are many who focus on direct marketing and have a sales person or themselves make sales calls on corporate clients. However, besides all these, it is now vital to have a website and do some internet marketing for there is where an increasing number of customers look for their travel agencies.

The travel business is booming and now may be the best time to take advantage of this trend. With only a moderate amount of capital and a lot of energy, a person may find financial success and personal fulfillment in this venture. To find out more about this business you may attend a one-day seminar on the topic.

Click here to view details of the training program: http://www.businesscoachphil.com/how-to-start-a-travel-and-tour-business

*Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach , Inc.) All rights reserved. Re-posted with permission. By: Business Coach, Inc.

Tags: IATA Philippines profitable business Travel Agency

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37 responses.

• Comments 37
• Pingbacks 0

Hi po. Is anyone here have the idea or details how to start up a small travel agency? Please help me. Thanks in advance

Hello, I am so much interested in putting up a travel agency business. I appreciate anyone’s assistance.

STARLEGENDS ADVENTURES CEO can HELP YOU https://web.facebook.com/CEOinPajama/

Please send me detailed information. I’m very much interested in setting up a Travel Agency.

Hi, are you now operating your travel business?

www.dreamtravels.world [email protected]

Hi, We are travel wholesaler in India and we have team of hardworking Filipinoes working with us. If you wish to know about travel business and our company, kindly contact me through my email address or directly to our website. We can provide you our best rates in the market. We can provide you with trainings that you needed to be travel agent.

Hi, interested with the wholesale rates.

if you want to try the business homebased I highly recommend Ms Monica. She has community and guidance for beginners http://homebasedtravelagencybusiness.com

May CP number po ba sya or email? interested din po ako to know how

Hello, pwede pong malaman if magkano ang capital para po sa travel agency? and paano po ang process? thanks in advance

Hello, nakapag start ka na ba ng travel business mo? Ako rin kasi 🙁 i want to start but idk how 🙁

You can check WCA Travels system…pwd ka homebased lang

Hello, Sir! This is EG owner of Travellopedia. We can help you start your own travel agency business with a very minimal capital. Kindly text me at 09518135517.

Hi, can you go to our website@ www.dreamtravels.world and kindly send me a shout out. I can call you directly on your WhatsApp. Let’s discuss this further if you’re interested. I can’t ask your private number here to protect your privacy if you know what i mean.

if you will start homebase roughly 10k -40k you will have na. as for me I only invested 10k+ with mentorship na.

can you send me details mam about travel agency to start up

How much the Capital? Where I can take the seminar?

is there any seminar dates po for starting a travel and tour business po ? Thank you po

Try to attend ng seminar sa Travel Depot. Di pa ako nagttraining pero I think it’s a good company. They will give you direct suppliers na mismo and no royalty fees whatsoever. Seems promising din iba nilang affiliates na successful na ngayon so super excited nako to start my business soon!

Hi.. To those interested in put up their own travel agency portal.. You can check wca travel and tour we are looking for affiliate and franchisees ..you can text me for the details 0915 064 8982.. Thanks

Im planning to have a home based travel agency. Please help. Thanks

Seminar on How To Put Up Your Own Travel Agency by The Travel Depot, check us out https://www.facebook.com/TravelDepotPH/photos/a.10151700934818087/10156225098108087/?type=3&theater

Hi ms sheila.. You can check wca travel and tour we are looking for affiliate..you can text me for the details 0915 064 8982

Good day! I’m planning to put a Travel Tour Agency, (Non-IATA), How to start it and to whom i can partner with AITA agencies?

Hi. I’m planning to start a home based travel agency. do I still need the required documents like dti/permit etc? TIA

How to start a home based portal ticketing agency? How much is the capital

Hl Van. May I get your email so I can send you the details about how to start the travel business? Or, you can call at 09176800968 or view our website at www.thetraveldepot.ph to know more.

How to start a home based portal ticketing agency?

Hello Nazma! We can help you put up the travel agency home-based or officebased. Please view our facebook @The Travel Depot or website at www.thetraveldepot.ph or call 09176800968 to know more

Hello po… Pwedi malaman ilan Ang capital for home based ticketing agency..

Hello Kindly send me sa dettails How much po salamat po

hi good day mam/sir im looking for travel agency on how to get home base portal travel agency. please let me know. thank you so much:) looking forward to your precious response.

Hi. Pwede po pasend ng lahat ng mga detalye regarding s travel and tour business

Papano mag avail ng portal at magkano po

Good day! This is from Far Eastern Travel Agency! We are offering our home based portal travel agency. May I know your email address so we can send you an email. If you’re interested you can contact me 09179450042 or email me [email protected]. For more info you can check our website, http://feta.com.ph/.

Hi pwede pa send lahat ng kailangan regardig based travel and tour business..tnx

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How Do I Start a Travel and Tour Business in the Philippines?

By Michael Ferguson

Starting a travel and tour business in the Philippines is a great way to make a living while exploring the unique beauty of this tropical Asian country. With its stunning white sand beaches, world-renowned diving spots, and vibrant culture, the Philippines has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there are plenty of opportunities to make money through a travel and tour business in the Philippines.

A successful travel and tour business in the Philippines will require a lot of research and preparation. You should start by familiarizing yourself with the laws, regulations, and permits necessary for operating such a business in the country. It’s also important to understand the local customs, culture, attractions, and activities available to tourists. Once you have obtained all of this information, you can begin to select destinations based on your customer’s interests.

Once you’ve established your destination list, it’s time to start advertising your services.

You can use traditional methods like print media or more modern approaches like social media advertising. Additionally, it’s important to build relationships with local hotels and businesses that may be able to help promote your packages or provide discounts for your customers.

The next step is establishing partnerships with airlines and other transportation companies that will help get your customers to their destinations quickly and safely. You may also want to consider hiring agents who specialize in different regions so they can help provide personalized service for each customer’s needs.

Finally, once you have all of these pieces in place it’s time to start marketing your business. Developing an effective marketing strategy will be essential for success in this highly competitive industry. Consider creating promotional material such as brochures or videos that showcase your packages or create social media accounts where customers can learn more about what you offer. With an effective strategy in place, you can begin creating memorable experiences for travelers while making money at the same time!

Conclusion: Starting a travel and tour business in the Philippines is an exciting opportunity that has many rewards but also comes with challenges such as obtaining permits, understanding local customs and regulations as well as developing an effective marketing strategy. However with research and preparation it is possible to establish a successful travel and tour business that will generate income while providing enjoyable experiences for travelers.

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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

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How to start your travel agency business in the philippines.

Boom in domestic travel, propelled by expanding destinations offered by airlines, easier access to information about tourist spots shared on social media, and growth in government spending on transportation infrastructure, has opened up more opportunities for travel agency businesses.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, domestic tourism expenditure in the Philippines has grown 19.1% from 2015 to 2016. Tourism industry’s contribution to the Philippine economy has likewise grown from 6.8% in 2011 to 8.6% in 2016.

Just as the Internet revolutionized how people shop, listen to music and access film entertainment, travel industry has also benefited in many ways. From selling destination packages, airline tickets, organizing local tours and selling travel insurance, travel agencies have several ways to make money.

So how do you start your own business of travel agency?

Factors to consider before deciding to put up a travel agency business 1. Background in business skills and passion for travel. For someone to start the business, not only you need to be business savvy, you (or your appointed staff) also must have knack and passion for travel, general knowledge about immigration policies, able to answer question about insurance claims, lost luggage and which seasons to visit a tourist destination.

2. Accreditation from recognized travel bodies. To become a credible  authorized travel agent, membership to certain groups is highly recommended. For example, those selling international travel packages with International Air Transport Association authorized agent status.

3. Identifying your target market. Would you want to start off as a part-time travel agent who helps book air tickets for a small fee? Or maybe set up a small shop at a commercial arcade to accommodate a wider audience such as business travelers, government officials or families? Do you want to expand on cruise travel, hotel bookings and provide all-around travel advice to inbound tourists who visit a local tourist attraction nearby?

4. Identifying  your existing competition. The presence of an established competition indicates such market for travel agents exist. What you need to also find out is that whether  your competition covers all market or simply established a niche for some reason (already profitable, lack of human resources to expand, etc). A market research could uncover untapped target customers.

5. Establishing partnerships. Travel agents thrive even further with partnerships because the industry encompasses a wide range of clients. Airlines, hotels, package tour companies and payment gateways would love to get preferential option, so getting them on board would be a win-win situation; the airline gets a booking, you get a tidy margin and travelers experience professional service that warrant return business in the future.

How to setup your travel agency business

It can be a challenging space to be in , but with proper market research and out of the box thinking to address current trends, your travel agency can thrive in this vastly innovative tourism space.

Capital money. Initial investment costs for a low-key travel agency is between P50,000 to P100,000 which will cover licensing and paper works, office equipment and space rentals and utilities. Bigger operations such as a corporation or partnership that requires more staff, larger operating space and more clients will have an initial capital investment of at least P500,000.

Government license If you are operating a sole-proprietorship business, such as solo home-based travel agency, register your business at DTI . List of DTI offices are listed here .

If you are planning to set up a partnership or corporation, your travel agency business needs to register at SEC . Here’s a list of SEC offices in the Philippines .

A reservation fee is required for a certain number of days to allow your business to prepare the required documents such as articles of incorporation and notarized bank certificates of deposit.

Once you have copy of SEC registration, go to the city or municipal business licensing office and secure Mayor’s Permit.

Getting accredited. IATA or non-IATA agents – travel agencies can either apply to be accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the international regulating body for airlines, passenger sales agents and cargo agents. Being an accredited agent allows them to sell international and/or domestic tickets on behalf of the airlines. They are also allowed to do rebooking, reissuance, or revalidation of tickets issued, or cause the endorsement to other airlines in case needed.

Non-IATA agent are not authorized to issue tickets and need to buy from an accredited agent or directly from the airline.

Click here to apply for IATA accreditation, and select “Philippines” from the drop-down menu for appropriate document and procedure.

Operating space. Space comes at a premium but travel agency offices need not be huge, as long as staff can attend to the needs of customers in a well-organized office layout. Home-based travel agency may only need a minimum of 10 to 15 sq meter space for a couple of staff, and machines. Commercial spaces typically measuring between 60 to 200 sq meter space and located at high foot traffic areas can accommodate walk-in clients.

Office equipment. Essential travel agency equipment include high-performance computer systems, printer units, fax machine, telephone lines, photocopier, surveillance camera and storage vault. Complementing them are office furniture to accommodate walk-ins, chairs and desks, storage cabinets and tables.

Some customers prefer less engaging enquiries by using mobile messaging such as Whatsapp, FB messenger or Viber so getting an office-use mobile device should address such types of inquiries.

The heart of air ticket booking system lies in the airline reservations system that incorporate airline schedules, fare tariffs, passenger reservations and ticket records. Popular ones include Amadeus, Travelport, Sabre and Shares.

Human resources. For startups, you can develop a simple travel agency operation with basic services — sourcing your booking online through the Internet.

However, as the business grows or you wish to start accommodating wider spectrum of customers on a variety of services, having at least two travel agents stationed in the office is the ideal arrangement for an agency that caters to walk-in customers. Expanding the workforce can have an agency consisting of two people under reservations and ticketing section, cashier/accountant, receptionist to answer calls and manage walk-in visits, and messenger to deliver or pick up documents.

It is easy to train staff to perform reservation tasks, but it helps to hire tourism graduates who have exposure to computer reservation system. For more seamless operations, hiring for staff with previous hands-on experience in another travel agency is the way to go.

Marketing and advertising. There are many ways to promote a travel agency business. First off, it pays off in the long term to have a notable brand presence, from brand name to brand logo. It can be promoted offline through signage outside of the shop, mall directory or local newspaper’s travel section. Exposure on local festivals and activities that attract tourists such as sponsoring a booth.

Your agency should also be represented at travel expos and tourism activities to be able to meet like-minded people not only target customers, but also potential partners and vendors. For example, if you are a travel agency whose office is located close to beach resorts , you should reach out to these businesses for partnership — you promote their business and they refer other clients to you.

Putting your travel agency business online makes it cheaper and cost-effective as it’s not only measurable, it’s also targeted. Your company website’s features include travel destinations, tour packages, air ticket promos and travel blog for the information of interested travelers. It is important to have as comprehensive information as possible. Not only will it be helpful to your potential customers, it also saves time answering questions through your receptionist on a call or travel agents during a walk-in visit.

You can advertise on Google AdWords and Facebook Business, both of which has rich targeting options that allow you to customize your audience according to your preferences.

Your business can establish social media presence, with Facebook page to promote tour packages and attract engagement, Twitter to answer travel enquiries or promote your website’s latest blog update. Instagram will also feature photos of travel destinations.

The best advertising, though, can come from your happy customers built off the excellent customer service and competitive rates.

Choosing destinations. Deciding on what are popular and profitable travel destinations boils down to the customer profile you have researched. They can be young couples, families with young children, retired senior citizens, business travelers, corporate travelers or backpackers who have varying lifestyles, tastes and travel interests.

Within the Philippines, it’s a given that your agency will provide air tickets not only to a few destinations but all available within the network of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and other domestic or regional carriers for destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo or Bangkok.

As destinations vary, your agency must have a database of hotels, schedule of air flights, list of tourist attractions, beaches, insurance options and other information customers might be looking for.

Be prepared with options for customers to choose from. For example, a family of four wish to get a quote for a four-day stay in Bohol, a number of  package tours complete with itinerary, hotel accommodations and flights should be presented on the fly for them to choose from. Others might just look at flyers of travel package to influence their decision so preparing a few options per destination can help them make prompt decisions.

As many customers mull over price, length of travel and other factors, don’t expect all of them to make immediate decision. Having those pamphlets available will be handy.

Managing your partners. Based on your priority type of audience, you can pick the right partners to deal with among airlines, hotels, tour operators, resorts and so on.

Budget conscious clients often are attracted to promo packages, but this also depends on their availability to travel and type of experience they want to try. So your decision should be based on client’s convenience, along with affordability and, of course profitability.

You don’t want to get carried away with low-cost travel options from a partner with tainted reputation. A good travel agency’s reputation goes a long way, so only deal with reputable and experienced business partners, even if it comes at a premium price.

Creating a profile of clients. Based on early turnout of customers, you might be able to establish a profile which outlines the type of clients you had, along with their travel preferences, services they availed, months they traveled and destinations they chose.

A customer relationship management system will help manage your customers as you gather information about them. Using email marketing, you can send them promotional items that are relevant to their past choices.

Was it a year since your family customer who made a trip to Palawan traveled? Why not introduce a similar experience (Bohol or Cebu) but on a different destination, with price lower than their previous package? This is possible if you have a comprehensive record of their past trips, their preferences, budgets, and restrictions, if any.

You also take note of seasonal travelers, such as a city school delegation often travels to Palarong Pambansa in April, or a religious group makes a pilgrimage the Holy Land in December. You can then offer them discounts for group travel.

The aim is to convert them into repeat customers.

Making money. As you can see, it takes a lot of effort and investment of time and money to operate a travel agency. But this is often rewarded with returns. Although travel agency revenue vary according to many factors such as types of packages being offered, types of customers it serves and existing agreements with partners, typically an agency starting up earns profit of P10,000 during lean periods and P50,000 during peak seasons.

Markups from airline bookings and commissions earned from tours range between 3 and 10 per cent. So depending on this business model may require large volume of customers to get bigger profits.

If you have enough staff to handle extra services and available machinery, your travel agency can also offer photocopying service, travel insurance application, visa processing at the embassy / consulate, passport application and securing of required documents

Good luck on your travel agency business plans!

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Adventure Excursions Unlimited

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.">.

Adventure Excursions Unlimited (AEU) was formed to provide hard-adventure sport/travel packages with upscale accommodations, gourmet food, and celebrity service providers to wealthy clients. AEU hard adventures include helicopter-skiing, kayaking, white-water rafting, and mountain biking. The founders of AEU are Jordan Stephan (MBA/JD), Jillyn Certo (MBA), and Loren Harlo (MBA). In addition to their MBA status, they are passionate about the activities AEU will offer.

An opportunity exists for two reasons:

• Tourism is a growing industry (4% annually), and within the industry adventure travel is growing at 10%.
• There are few providers of hard-adventure travel to upscale clients.

Virtually all companies that provide “hard” adventure activities appeal to a lower income client. Companies that appeal to a wealthier clientele generally provide “soft” adventure packages. Hard-adventure activities involve difficult physical requirements. They carry a higher level of risk than do “soft” activities. Soft adventure activities may involve some physical exertion, however they involve a low level of risk and can be engaged in by non-athletic people.

The company’s target customers are high income (min. $75,000 for single person), health-conscious individuals interested in popular hard-adventure sports. These are lawyers, bankers, executives, doctors, etc. The major purchasers are located in urban areas within major United States cities. Our customers are more likely to be married. 51% are men and 49% are women.

In addition, more niche markets are evolving. Initially, it will be difficult to compete with experienced providers, especially market leaders. However, AEU’s target market is an exploitable niche and our service is differentiated. AEU’s target market members will have similar activity interests, more disposable income and less sensitivity to price.

AEU will price its services at the top of the market. We will provide a luxury service with prestige value. Our prices will be out of reach for the majority of adventure travelers. Service will be priced based upon luxury competitor prices and the value added of our offering. Providers that offer luxury services similar to ours do so at similar prices. We are competitively priced in the luxury market. Because we appeal to a smaller market, volume will be limited. However, we will be able to capture a higher gross profit margin.

1.1 Objectives

Adventure Excursions Unlimited’s objectives for the first three years of operation include:

• To create a service-based company whose #1 mission is exceeding customers’ expectations.
• Capturing 25% market share of the high-end hard-adventure travel space.
• To develop a sustainable, profitable business.
• To achieve a 35% return rate of customers within the first three years.

1.2 Mission

Adventure Excursions Unlimited’s mission is to provide customers with the highest quality outdoor adventure. We exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Adventure Excursions Unlimited, located in Eugene, OR will offer hard-adventure trips to the upper end of the travel market. AEU will be concentrating on three activities, mountain biking, heli-skiing, and white-water adventures. AEU has chosen these three activities to allow the company to not be restricted by seasons, we will have trips occurring through the year. While AEU’s office is located in Eugene, it will be leading trips throughout the United States, and the world.

AEU expects the first several months will be used to plan trips and train trip leaders. By the end of year one the trips should be in full swing and AEU will be building a solid customer base.

2.1 Company Ownership

Adventure Excursions Unlimited will be a privately held Oregon Corporation. Jordan Stephan, Jillyn Certo, and Loren Harlo will all hold equal number shares of AEU stock.

2.2 Start-up Summary

Adventure Excursions Unlimited’s start-up costs include all the equipment needed for an office, as well as the equipment needed for the mountain bike trips and white-water adventures. Other costs will be marketing fees, website development, insurance and a deposit for the office lease.

The office equipment will consist of four computer systems, DSL router, printer, CD-RW, CPU to be used as an internal server, phones, copier, fax machine and installation of DSL and two phone lines.

The equipment needed for the mountain bike trip will be a fleet of 15 bicycles, a self contained kitchen, shower and toilet system, and bicycle tools.

The equipment for the white-water adventures will include inflatable rafts (and other requisite related equipment), self contained kitchen set up, portable shower and toilet facilities, and lots of dry bags.

The marketing costs are for the brochures and advertisements. AEU will also incur costs in the development of our website. Lastly, insurance will be a large start-up expense.

AEU will position itself as a niche service provider within the hard-adventure market. It will offer high-quality travel packages for extreme sporting trips. To begin AEU will offer six trips: helicopter-skiing trips to Canada, India, and New Zealand, white-water rafting trips to New Zealand and Costa Rica, and a mountain biking trip along the Great Divide from Montana to New Mexico.

The target market will be made up of young professionals who work and play hard. These people can afford to play expensively, and are willing to buy time in the form of our services. AEU will serve the hard-adventure niche market as a top quality, full-service provider. AEU defines quality by the unique aspects of the services offered. Those aspects include booking group or custom trips, assistance with passports, providing top-of-the-line equipment and supplies, and a superior service offering with access to better terrain, luxury accommodations, entertainment, celebrity exposure, and gourmet food.

The tours to be offered are as follows:

• Mountain Biking : This event will take place on the Great Divide trail from Montana to New Mexico and is designed for the serious biker that appreciates a few of life’s comforts along the trail. Showers and gourmet meals will be provided, along with entertainment. All excursions will maintain a staff to client ratio of 1:2.

A comprehensive map system has been created by Adventure Cycling and is currently available for purchase. The map clearly indicates the route, places to camp, stores for food and laundromats. Leadership training for the guides will be developed in-house using some outside material. There are many similar organizations that will be good sources of information. The products needed for this trip are for the most part already manufactured. One item that needs to be designed and built is a privacy compartment for the solar shower. This will be designed by Jordan and manufactured in-house. A cookbook collection of simple recipes, including some personal favorites, will also be assembled. Professional cooks will be provided, and flown in if necessary. Brought to you by Create a professional business plan Using AI and step-by-step instructions Create Your Plan Secure funding Validate ideas Build a strategy

• Heli-skiing : Helicopter skiing has become a popular alternative to resort skiing. It offers uncrowded access to the best terrain. For those who like to get off the beaten path heli-skiing is for them. AEU has planned annual and custom trips to three destinations. Everything will be taken care of for the customer. Transportation, lodging, transfers and skiing is included in the package. Although our trips are planned at peak ski seasons, mother nature cannot be predicted. In the event that the weather is too treacherous to ski the trip will be postponed. An in–house travel consultant will accompany each group and take care of all check-in and transfer issues.

AEU will not send clients to places we ourselves would not go. All service providers will be top-notch professionals with accomplished backgrounds. They will be medically trained, and evaluated for knowledge and ability to ensure safety and high-quality service. If they fail, at any time, to meet our rigid standards of quality, they will not be used. If quality falls, another provider will replace them. These activities take place outside of the United States and therefore we will hire local guides to accompany our professional guides and service providers.

• White-water Sports : New Zealand and Costa Rica were chosen for these ten day long hard-adventure excursions. There can be a maximum of ten people per group. Annual trips will be planned to each location, but for large enough private groups, custom trips can be planed. As with the heli-skiing trips, local guides will be used in addition to our own. The abroad trips will be a cooperative effort in-house, as well as local guides in the host countries. The choice to seek outside consulting for the trips abroad is due to each countries different legal and regulatory climate. The potential subcontractors and guides are individuals currently in the industry in their respective countries.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Travel industry is an upward growth industry. There are several reasons for this increase. First, a relative healthy domestic economy over the last several years and the devaluation of currency in other regions has made travel less expensive for U.S. residents. Pleasure travel has increased by 3.2% in 1999 and is predicted to grow 2.0% in 2000. Second, the healthy economy has increased business, which in turn boosted domestic business travel 4.8% in 1999 with an estimated increase of 3.6% in 2000.

Adventure travel is a growing segment of the travel industry. One theory of the recent increase in extreme sports has to do with the strong competitive nature of younger Americans. Statistics show that 8,000 U.S. companies (that offer adventure packages) generated $7 billion in 1999. There also has been a 66% increase in executive participation between 1996 and 2000 (or an increase of 2,000 participants)(La Franco, Robert. Forbes, Feb 9, 1998 v161 n3 p168(3)).

Some quick facts:

• Adventure travelers: More than 50% of the U.S. adult traveling population, or 147 million people, have taken an adventure trip in their lifetime (98 million in the past five years). Thirty-one million adults have engaged in hard-adventure activities like white-water rafting, scuba diving and mountain biking. An additional 25 million engaged in both a hard- and soft-adventure activity. Six-percent of those who participated in adventure trips spent more than $2,500.
• Activities most commonly participated in during adventure vacations: camping (85%), hiking (74%), skiing (51%), snorkeling or scuba diving (30%), sailing (26%), kayaking or white-water rafting (24%), and biking trips (24%).
• Biking vacations: Twenty-seven million travelers with customers that tend to be young and affluent. Ages 18-34 and one-fourth are from household’s w/annual income of $75,000 or above.

4.1 Market Segmentation

AEU’s target customers are high income (min. $75,000 for single person), health-conscious individuals interested in popular hard-adventure sports such as skiing, white-water sports and mountain biking. The major purchasers are located in urban areas within these United States cities.

Customer Location (within the United States):

• Pennsylvania

Hard-adventure travelers are more likely to be men. Therefore, AEU’s primary target market for hard-adventure sports is men between the ages of 18-34. However an increasing number of hard-adventure travelers are women (some statistics suggest that women comprise 49% of the hard-adventure market). Men, on average, spend more than women on their adventure travels.

Customers will be reached through traditional marketing communication methods. Information has been located relating to specific profiles of both hard- and soft-adventure travelers, where they live, work, what they do, etc. Research suggests that many of our target customers, and travelers in general, are Internet savvy. As such, the Internet will serve as an appropriate and effective medium of communication. Many adventure travelers purchase over the Internet or buy through travel agents. Purchase decisions are influenced by the amount of disposable income held, family issues, and the economy of a given year.

AEU will be targeting two specific groups:

• High-income health-conscious individuals.
• Young, active “trustafarians.”

The common elements between these two groups are money and a love for adventures. Group one has a lot of money from income that they earn. Group two has a lot of disposable income because the money was given to them, typically by members of their family. The second group, the trustafarians, is a very small group relative to the first group.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

AEU will promote/position itself as a differentiated provider of luxury hard-adventure travel, and will price accordingly within the chosen service niche.

AEU is targeting this special population for several reasons:

• This segment, up until now, has been underserved.
• This market segment traditionally spends a fair amount of money on adventure trips.
• This target segment seems to be willing to pay a premium for a top-shelf adventure excursion.

Methods of communication will include direct mail, magazine advertising, personal selling and WWW presence. Continuous magazine advertising will be costly. Initially the use of direct mail, and personal selling will be employed. These methods of communication will be tailored to reach our target segment.

4.3 Service Business Analysis

As operations progress, AEU will continue to measure our progress relative to competitors and to the growth of the market(s) in which we operate. Though the primary target market has been defined, there may be new possibilities to serve additional segments. As the product is defined, and the strategy differentiation is defined based on competitive strengths, AEU will be better able to determine whether adjustments in positioning are necessary. Access to important information concerning the market, competitors, etc., is available. However it is not free. For the purposes of this project, we feel it is unnecessary to incur additional expense.

The marketing strategy will be to develop long-term relationships with customers. We will keep a database from which to obtain important demographic and psychographic information. As the business becomes profitable, plans will be implemented to expand. There is virtually no limit to the number and variety of trips AEU can provide. Trips can take place on every continent and in most countries. The goal is to establish AEU as an international provider of top-of-the-line hard-adventure travel.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

Strengths and weaknesses of the competitors:

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Companies that offer higher-priced, more luxurious packages generally provide a “soft” adventure. The activities are more along the lines of sightseeing and low-risk alternatives. The advantages these companies have include established reputations, extensive knowledge of the industry, and key personnel and management. Some have been in operation for more than twenty years. They are familiar with local service providers and have established strategic relationships.

Disadvantages to us:

• It will be difficult to price ourselves competitively when we first enter the market.
• Many of AEU’s activities are seasonal. Recurring revenue will depend upon successful trips in various regions of the world. For example, ski trips will end in April in North America. AEU will then have to move ski operations to places like Las Lenas, Argentina.
• The weather for a given year is hard to predict. Poor conditions will threaten the success of trips. Unforeseen occurrences such as inadequate snowfall could effect the viability of activities such as skiing and white-water sports.

Closely related competitors:

Abercrombie & Kent: A well-established, international travel provider. Their focus is mainly on “soft” adventure packages such as safaris, river tours (e.g. Amazon), trekking, sightseeing, etc. However they do offer a “Connoisseur” line of packages. These are generally priced starting from $4,000-7,000. Some of their packages include white-water activities and hiking, however most are touring packages.

Competing or substitute products:

There are many activities and types of travel available to people contemplating a vacation. Theme parks, motorhome trips, and cruises are just a few. Substitutes could include less expensive, self-planned trips, trips geared towards soft-travel, adventure trips involving hunting or fishing as primary activities, or exclusive adventure trips such as personal submarine tours of the Titanic or a trip around the world in a Leer Jet. Many activities that take place outside and involve some level of risk could be seen as hard-adventure competition.

Another alternative is to do nothing. Consumers do not have to vacation. They may opt to spend the money they would have otherwise spent on a vacation on something else.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Adventure Excursions Unlimited will be going after the upper-end of the hard-adventure market. This market up until now has been underserved, there are hard-adventure tour companies, but none that are catering to the high-end spectrum. With the adventuring traveling industry steadily increasing, AEU sees a unique opportunity.

AEU’s main objective in its marketing and sales activity is to make the impression on prospective customers that AEU offers a higher level of service relative to any other provider of hard-adventure tours. This will be communicated through all of the different media that we use. If AEU can make the impression that our trips are truly different and superior, then our research indicates that there will be steady demand.

Once AEU has clients signed up and participating on our trips, it will rely on superior customer attention and service to impress and retain clients for future trips. Developing long-term relationships will be the key to steady growth.

5.1 Competitive Edge

The competitive edge in our services is the access we provide to popular “hard” adventure sports without the budget constraint of typical travelers. That is, most travelers are looking to spend less than “hard” adventure sports without the budget constraint of typical travelers. The majority of providers cater to these people. Adventure Excursions Unlimited intends to use the same service providers but provide more exclusive trips. Accommodations will be primarily in small luxury hotels and resorts. Meals will be exceptional, more like gourmet cuisine. In addition, the adventure activities will be better than average because the clients have more money. They won’t get stuck with people they don’t like; they will get access to the best terrain, sections of rivers, etc. AEU’s activities are very popular. AEU’s target market has no problem spending $4,000 per week on heli-skiing. Moreover, they generally make this type of activity an annual event.

5.2 Sales Strategy

The sales strategy is to create long-term relationships with customers through superior service. The intent is to initially target the primary customer group. This group has been defined as persons who have purchased, or are likely to purchase, a “hard-adventure” vacation for over $2,500.

The trips planned are designed with the wealthy adventure traveler in mind. Later marketing efforts may include trips geared towards corporate clients, Eco-tourism or hard-adventure trips for people who want to spend less money. Target customers will be identified through standard research methods. There are a number of publications available that contain profiles of Adventure travelers.

Methods by which we will contact customers will depend on results of marketing/sales research. We will likely use trade or special interest magazines, direct mail, Web-based communication, and personal selling. In addition printed materials will be made available to customers through travel agencies that cater to the adventure target market. Initially, service will be introduced regionally, and possibly nationally. Sales will be extended into the global market within a few years of operation.

Our services are seasonal. Recurring revenue will be dependent upon successful trips involving a variety of activities offered year-round. We hope to promote out of season services through frequent customer contact and our own publication, most likely a magazine of some sort. We will review up-and-coming trips, offer highlights of past trips and try to do other creative articles, giveaways, customer profiles, etc.

Most sales will occur at the retail level. The sales that occur between customers and travel agencies will be discounted appropriately, approximately 15%. Transactions will occur as the result of customer contact in response to communication efforts. In addition, AEU will engage in personal selling.

5.2.1 Sales Forecast

The following charts and table shows AEU’s expected sales forecast.

5.3 Milestones

Adventure Excursions Unlimited will have several milestones early on:

• Business plan completion. This will serve as a roadmap for the organization. While AEU does not need a business plan to raise capital, it will be an indispensable tool for the ongoing performance and improvement of the company.
• Set up the office. This will be the main/only office located in Eugene, OR.
• Develop the training program. This program will be used to train the leaders of our trips.
• Completion of first trip.
• Completion of twentieth trip.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Jordan Stephan, VP, Corporate Council, Business Development, and Mountain Biking Activity Supervisor : Jordan received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. While there, he was president of the Washington and Jefferson Cycling Club and Team for two years. He completed his Master of Business Management/Doctor of Jurisprudence, joint degree program at Willamette University where he has served as the secretary of the Environmental Law Society, and chairperson for the Willamette University Public Interest Law Project (WUPILP). As chairperson, Jordan supervised twenty-five staff members and raised $14,000. Jordan has also managed a bicycle shop for two years. Following graduate school, Jordan worked for Counterclaim.com where Jordan did business development, organizational development, and other management activities. He is responsible for all logistics on the mountain bike trips.

Jordan’s expertise in mountain bike trip logistics comes from years of cycle touring. Jordan has cycled across the country and around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Vermont. Jordan has also done a great deal of backpacking, backcountry hiking and snowshoeing. He has served as a consultant on many long-distance bicycle tours in the United States and abroad. In addition to his role as logistical planner, Jordan will be responsible for part-manufacturing for the mountain bike trips as he has manufacturing expertise from several years of design and improvement experience with outdoor gear.

Jordan’s extra curricular activities are based upon his love for the outdoors. He has been a competitive cyclist and runner for the last five years. He competes in cycling road races, endurance mountain bike races, and road/trail running races up to half-marathons. His current favorite activity is the duathlon or run/bike/run events. He would like to combine his experience and education with his love for the outdoors. The AEU business concept is a reflection of this desire.

Jillyn Certo, VP, Human Resource Manager/Corporate Trainer, and Ski-trip Coordinator : Jillyn graduated with two Bachelor of Science Degrees, one in corporate and industrial fitness and the other in occupational safety, from Oregon State University in 1991. Jillyn completed her MBA work at Atkinson Graduate School of Management in 1998. She has six years experience in the field of safety. After Atkinson Jillyn worked at Nike as a human resource specialist. Her interests include scuba diving and downhill skiing. Jillyn has competed in track & field as well as in horse shows and barrel racing. Along with her interest in sports, Jillyn has a variety of experience with business and pleasure travel. Jillyn will supervise the training of our leaders.

Loren Harlo, Marketing Manager and White-water Adventure Coordinator : Loren is twenty-seven years old. He received his Bachelor degree in psychology from Western College and graduated Magna cum Laude. He will complete his Master of Business Administration degree (with an emphasis in marketing) in 1998. Following graduate school, Loren worked for Burley Cooperative as a marketing manager. Loren has been active in athletics for twenty-years. He played football at the grade school, high school and college level, as well as basketball, track and field, and competition karate. He is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for water sports, skiing, hiking, hunting and fishing. He has recently taken up kayaking. Loren gained self-employment and management experience as an independent contractor for the Union Pacific Railroad. He has also managed and operated a small restaurant. He has always planned to own his own business and realized, while working independently, that he needed the knowledge of business management that an MBA program could provide.

Though the founding members intend to take an active role in the operation of AEU, additional management will be sought out. AEU is open to assistance from experienced managers associated with venture capital providers.

6.1 Personnel Plan

The following table shows the personnel plan for AEU.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following subtopics will provide more financial information.

7.1 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table indicates projected cash flow.

7.2 Important Assumptions

See the following table for general assumptions.

7.3 Break-even Analysis

This Break-even Analysis table and chart, below, project the figures for monthly sales break even.

7.4 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table indicates the projected profit and loss.

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table will indicate the projected balance sheet.

7.6 Business Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 4725, Tour Operators, are shown for comparison.

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Starting A Travel Agency

How to put up a travel agency in the philippines.

  The travel industry is booming in both the domestic and international markets. Now is the time to get into this exciting business. One of the best ways to do so is to start a travel and tours agency.   Here are the steps to begin a tours and travel agency:   1. Find the ideal location . The best location will depend on the market you are targeting. If you wish to cater to domestic travelers, look for areas with high foot traffic of working people. Those who want to target the international market should position in areas where there are plenty of tourists. Those with limited capital would do best to avoid malls because of the high rental and deposit needed. You will need only an area of 15 to 30 square meters to start. For certain accreditation requirements, you need to have a place located in a commercial area.   2. Register your business . A travel agency has no special requirements. You just go to the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) if you want to be a sole proprietor or to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) in order to register a partnership or corporation. Get barangay clearance and proceed to the local municipality to obtain a business permit. Proceed to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and get a Certificate of Registration (COR) and the authority to print receipts. Afterwards, get accreditation with the Department of Tourism. Among the requirements for accreditation is proof of 500,000 pesos working capital.   3. Set up and equip your office . You will need a computer with a reliable Internet connection for reservations. The other things needed are phone lines (at least two), fax machine, printer, tables, chairs, filing cabinets and office supplies.   4. Tie-up with an IATA travel agency . Since several millions are required to be an IATA travel agency, it is advisable to just tie up with an IATA travel agency to be able to issue tickets. It would be best to have tie-ups with at least three IATA travel agencies to get the best ticket price.   5. Establish working ties with the airlines and shipping lines . The biggest investment needed will be the cash bond to the airlines and shipping lines. This will run into several hundred thousand pesos depending on the company.   6. Train on the computerized reservation system . You and your assigned personnel must have extensive training on a computerized reservation system for airline reservation. Among the most popular of these systems are Amadeus and Abacus.   A travel agency is considered one of the sunshine industries that are expected to propel our country’s growth. It has the best potential to be both fun and profitable.   BusinessCoach, Inc., a leading business seminar provider, conducts seminars on how to start a travel and tour agency business. Contact (02) 727-5628, (02) 727-8860, (0915) 205-0133 or visit www.businesscoachphil.com for details.   Click here to view details of the seminar: How to Start a Travel and Tour Business »   *Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach, Inc.) All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or copied without express written permission of the copyright holders.

Travel Packages: +63917 581 5580 +63917 599 2608 reservations [at] thetraveldepot.ph

Seminars and Trainings: +63917 581 5590 consultancy [at] thetraveldepot.ph

Affiliate Customer Support: +63917 545 0506

Congratulations to our new batch of travel agency owners!

We want to congratulate our new batch of affiliates for the month of January 2020! We're delighted that you were all able to complete our comprehensive training programs and seminars!

We are an all-in-one company that accommodates full service Travel Agency, Consultancy and Resource Center based in the Philippines. We build rapport, motivate, and empower aspiring travel entrepreneurs to build their own travel agency business by providing them an extensive and intensive training about travel agency operations, management, and marketing.

Let our travel business experts, consultants, and speakers, Mr. William Amorsolo and Ms. Sharon Perez lead the way through our seminars, trainings, and consultations so you can get an overview of our business. For it is important for us that you understand the value of putting up your own travel agency before you invest your hard earned money.

The moment you successfully finished the training, we guarantee you that we will provide and give the assistance that you need as a start-up travel agent. Being an official affiliate of The Travel Depot, we ensure that your travel agency business will continue to progress and change the lives of other aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to turn their travel business dreams into reality for with Travel Depot; your dream is our success.   

Featured Affiliate of the Month

An inspiring mother and daughter story, which turns a bad experience into a moment to remember, as they decided to enter the world of travel business. This wonderful story started off when Merilene and Shekainah attempt to go through the DIY or Do-it-yourself booking. Little they didn’t know that these kinds of procedures will be a trap for them.

As they recover from this shortcoming, they’ve found out exactly how a travel agency works. Through the assistance of Sir William Amorsolo and Ms. Sharon Perez as they empower and share their heartfelt experiences to the people with the same passion as them, Merilene and Shekainah’s perception towards travel agency abruptly changes and they were able to feel a thorough, hassle-free and reasonable travel experience a person could ever have. Definitely, it is really a moment to remember!

“ Kapag mag byahe ka with the assistance of a travel agent, yung travel mo ay safety, cheaper and organize. Alam mo na yung mga places na mapupuntahan mo.” Merilene mentioned.

“Nabura yung stereotype ko na kapag mag book ka through a travel agency, mayaman ka. Luxurious yung mga trips na gusto mo pero nung nandun sa training it’s honest and true.”

“To Ms. Sharon and Sir William we thanked God for letting you in our lives para mag share ng mga experiences and knowledge niyo para maging magaling kami na travel agents dito sa industry.” said by Shekainah from August Batch 2017 of Cebu City.

  If you want to know more about our affiliates and their stories, stay tuned for They Chose They Spoke. Be empowered, Be inspired, BE ONE OF US!

News And Updates

We’re excited to announce our next run of our Certification Program for Travel Agency Business! Know the requirements to legitimately set up a travel agency business in the Philippines, learn the basic knowledge of the travel business operations, and get Certified to be a DOT accredited Travel Agency.

Travel is back with a vengeance!

As most tourist destinations get swamped with an avalanche of tourist arrivals, the industry is reaching its peak yielding sales numbers more than pre-pandemic! Hotels, Airlines, and other tourism entities especially Travel Agencies are recuperating their losses faster than expected.

The 9th Annual Homecoming of Travel Depot and Affiliates

What a total success of Travel Depot’s most anticipated event of the year 2018 last November 17 in Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu for our Visayan and Mindanaoan Affiliates and December 9 at the World Trade Center Pasay for our Luzon Affiliates! We could not have had blast without the whole TravelDepot team, event partners, sponsors and most especially our affiliates as we glorified another breakthrough to our first decade in the industry of travel and tourism!

Ready To Be Rich

Business, Investments, and Personal Finance

5 Quick Tips on Starting a Travel Agency Business in the Philippines

Updated: May 15, 2019

It’s fun to travel. And with social media showcasing a lot of wonderful destinations, who wouldn’t be tempted to travel, right? I actually know someone who has his travel agency on speed dial in his mobile phone!

As you may know, traveling is not just about fun and leisure. A lot of people also travel for business. And this market will be your primary customers if you’re running a travel agency business in the Philippines.

Establishing a travel agency can provide you with a steady income as it is always in demand. Additionally, you actually don’t need a lot of capital to start this business.

If you’re interested to put up a travel agency business, then here are five quick tips that can come in handy.

1. Determine what type of travel agency you will be.

According to the travel industry in the Philippines, there are two types of travel agencies.

First, there is IATA Agents or the Accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). They are the international regulating body for airline and airline-related departments.

Having this kind of accreditation will let your customers know that you are reliable and trusted by airlines to issue tickets. You also have the power to rebook, reissue, or revalidate tickets if needed.

Second, is the Non-IATA Agents . These agencies are not accredited by the IATA, and are therefore not allowed to issue tickets.

The way they do business instead, is to buy tickets from the airline directly or an IATA-accredited travel agency. Setting up this type of agency is easier, but your profit will be smaller. It’s recommended for those with little capital.

2. Have both online and offline presence.

People are now comfortable with buying plane tickets online. This means most travelers will almost always check online first if they need a travel agency.

Have a website and maintain a social media account to serve as your sales and marketing channels online.

However, aside from the online presence, you must also have an office. Most corporate accounts will want to deal with an agency with a physical business address.

3. Market the destinations.

It’s important to provide quality service and competitive prices to your customers. But when it comes to your marketing strategies, your focus should be in promoting the destinations that you offer.

Especially in social media, you can do content marketing on popular tourist spots. This way, if the need arises to travel to that destination, your target market will remember your business first.

Creating packages for these destinations will also be helpful. If you can partner with hotels, then that would be advantageous also, particularly for group travelers and business travelers.

4. Register your business.

Register your travel agency business early on and don’t operate as a fly-by-night travel agent because you will not get corporate clients this way.

Before going through the usual process of registering a business, check first with the permits and licensing office in your city. Ask them about the requirements of a travel agency business.

Each city in the Philippines can have different processes, that’s why this will be your first step.

Lastly, it is optional but it would certainly be helpful if you can apply and get accreditation from the Philippine Department of Tourism. This will boost your credibility as a travel agency business.

5. Have the necessary equipment.

Travel agencies require minimal equipment to operate. The most important are a computer with an internet connection, preferably two phone lines, a scanner, a printer, and a fax machine.

When it comes to the aesthetics of your office, be sure to have comfortable chairs for clients. And showcase high-quality photos or posters of your destinations to attract visitors.

I hope you find these five quick tips helpful.

What to do next: Click here to start your financial journey with IMG Wealth Academy

Thank you for this pointers it helped me and my wife when we started Masterway Travel and Tours in Taytay,Rizal.I hope that you would also write about tips on how to do marketing and advertising. God Bless!!

We might want to expand our brand as a travel and tours agency here in the Philippines, and this post truly gave me some information regarding that, so thank you.

My boss is considering to put up a travel agency here in the Philippines since He will be catering clients who want to travel Philippines

How much capital do we need to start this kind of business

Im planning to have travel agency business and I dont even know where and what to start. Can someone help me through it?

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