If you decide to open a travel company, then you may have many questions that can only be answered by specialists with a sufficient level of knowledge and experience. Alas, there are not so many experts in this industry. Moreover, it is very important that all issues related to the organization of this business be resolved as soon as possible with maximum availability and correctness. Otherwise, you simply abandon your idea, since opening a travel agency from scratch is quite difficult without the necessary amount of information.
We collect documents
Opening a business in the field of travel services requires certain documents. What do you need:
- A statement that you have state registration.
- The charter of the company in duplicate.
- Decision on the establishment.
- The original document confirming that you paid the state registration fee . This can be a payment order or a receipt.
- The foundation agreement, as well as a request that will allow you to get a copy of the charter.
- A letter of guarantee from the owner of the premises to the address of which the company is registered.
- An original document that confirms the payment of the state fee for receiving a copy of the charter, as well as an agreement on the establishment, for example, a payment order or a receipt.
Thinking about how to open a travel agency from scratch, you should first collect all the listed papers. It should be remembered that the application for registration must be certified by a notary and signed by the applicant. After all, it is he who is responsible for the correctness and reliability of all information.
If you open IP ...
If you decide to register as an individual entrepreneur, then you must provide:
- Statement.
- Name of the bank where the account will be registered.
- List of services that you will provide.
- Certificate that IIN is assigned to you. This, of course, if available.
- Passport.
Where is the best location for the agency office
Not everyone will decide to start a business in this area. So, how to open a travel agency from scratch without high costs? Here you can not do without outside help. Of course, not only money plays a decisive role. It is also very important where your office will be located.
While all the documents are being processed, you can search for premises. In order to open a travel company, you need a room of not more than 20 square meters. There should also be a personal line for connecting phones and the Internet. So, where is the best location for the office:
- City center . If you want to attract more customers by providing the services of a travel agency, then the main street of the village may be an ideal place. A room located in a commercial or residential building on the ground floor is best suited. However, it should be remembered that the cost of renting such a room will be very large.
- Business center . Placing in this office building can also have a positive effect on your business. Indeed, in addition to strangers, your customers will be able to become employees of the business center. The only negative is that you can’t place outdoor advertising and a sign.
- Shopping centers . If you decide to open your office here, a large number of customers are waiting for you. However, renting a room in a popular shopping center can cost you a decent amount.
- Sleeping areas . Here, a new travel company may be one of a kind. In addition, you can save on rent. The only drawback is that you have to put a lot of effort into getting your agency noticed. You can use any marketing strategies for this.
We select the right staff
Many entrepreneurs who decided to start their own business in this area often do not fully realize that the staff for such work needs to be carefully selected. After all, the human factor in this matter plays an important role.
The activities of travel agencies are based precisely on the coordinated work of the team. And for success, staff must be selected with special attention.
Who do you need
- System Administrator.
- Accountant.
- Sales Manager.
It is worth noting that the staff should gradually increase if the travel agency is growing. Specialists recommend hiring two sales managers. After all, they are the driving force of your activity. Managers promote your travel product on the market. In addition, sales managers must be able to communicate with people. You should not hope that employment exchanges will offer you real masters. It is better to do an independent search for a free candidate.
First Steps to Success
So, the discovery. Travel agency ideally requires a thorough study of the entire algorithm for creating a business plan. You do not have to be a professional in a particular industry. To begin with, you should carefully study the structure of this activity from the inside and make an analysis of the real situation of organizations that have been providing such services for more than a year.
To make everything clear to you, let's look at a scheme that contains all the components necessary for creating a business plan and opening a travel agency. It can be divided into several points that are interconnected. Moreover, each stage plays an important role at the very beginning of the activity. That is why none of the points can simply be skipped.
Company concept
The business plan of a travel company starts from this point. The concept of the company should fully reflect the type of activity. For example, an organization may be a tour operator, travel agency or provide mixed services.
In addition, all documents should fully reflect all possible activities of the company. For example, the sale of tickets for railway and air transport, insurance of clients traveling on a trip, visas, ordering a limousine, as well as transfer services.
We determine in advance the list of services
Before you open a travel agency from scratch, you need to decide on a list of services. At the request of customers, the company must provide an interpreter and guide. The ideal option is an employee who perfectly speaks several foreign languages and is able to perform the functions of a guide. At the same time, the guide should know all the interesting places that tourists should visit.
A travel agency can buy everything you need for a trip. Traveling for tourists in this case will be even more pleasant. After all, they do not have to think about purchases and try to predict all minor troubles. It is worth noting that representatives of travel agencies very often practice such a service as booking tables in a restaurant. His vacationers can visit immediately upon arrival.
Why is it necessary
Those who have already started the tourism and hotel business, without fail draw up all the necessary documents if their client receives a passport. In addition, they are fully prepared to provide an accompanying or personal guide.
Very often a person who travels abroad does not know a foreign language. As a result, this can greatly complicate the vacationer's communication with the local population. To prevent this from happening, many turn to a travel agency for help and hire a translator. It is worth noting that the company must provide a specialist in the field of foreign languages at the first request of vacationers.
Scheme of all the main stages
Before you open a travel agency from scratch, you need to clearly imagine what scheme it operates on. Many did not completely work out their plan and as a result simply could not engage in this type of activity. Let's see how the technology for the implementation, promotion and development of a tourist product is built on the example of a specific trip:
- To begin with, it is worth determining the supply and demand in the market of travel services.
- Create a detailed description of the service that the agency will offer its customers.
- It is necessary to develop and design the content of all processes of company services.
- Work out the route in detail.
- To form a general scheme of movement.
- It is imperative to draw up the list of services that the client will be able to use immediately upon arrival at their vacation spot.
- A full study of the route along which the tour will take place should be carried out.
- After this, an analysis of the designed tour should be carried out.
- Then prepare all the documentation.
- Do not forget about control. Better to choose the most effective method.
- At the end of the development of the route itself and the preparation of all the documentation, you should do advertising, various marketing moves and promotion methods. This will make your product in demand.
- It is important to choose the right method of sales, as well as methods for receiving payment from customers.
- Of course, before selling, you should calculate the cost and final price of the tourist product.
- Only after all this, sales begin, and then control over the quality of the services provided and the customer service process.
Travel agency from scratch: pros and cons
Everyone who wants to start their own business specifically in the field of tourism services faces a choice: to start all over from scratch or to acquire a ready-made business. However, many forget that the first and second option has its drawbacks.
Travel agency, created from scratch, has greater advantages than the acquired company. You do not have to fight with the old order, gain your respect from subordinates. In addition, many sold travel agencies are unprofitable. According to statistics, 90% of those organizations that are put up for sale can be considered complete bankrupt. However, a business open from scratch has its drawbacks. First of all, you will have to spend a lot of effort and, of course, time to develop routes, settle in a new room and build up a client base. In addition, you will need investors to open a business in this area.
How much to invest
Opening a travel agency from scratch is a big investment. So how much money will it take? Let's calculate:
- First of all, you need to register as a legal entity - from 25 thousand rubles.
- To repair the premises and purchase furniture - from 75 thousand rubles.
- Install computers and office equipment - from 60 thousand rubles.
- Develop your own corporate identity and solve the issue of printing - from 10 thousand rubles.
- Create a company website - from 35 thousand rubles.
- For other expenses, as well as for connecting phones and the Internet - from 50 thousand rubles.
The result is a decent amount: about 255 thousand rubles. This is an approximate cost estimate for a travel company with three employees and an office in Moscow. In other regions, the cost will be significantly lower. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the indicated amount will be required only for a start. Starting a business in this area is expensive. In addition, you will have to spend about 150 thousand rubles a month. Therefore, initially you should have in stock from 500 to 700 thousand rubles. A travel agency will start making a profit only after three months. If there is no such amount, then investors will help. To open a business in this area, it is imperative to have an initial capital.
Most Important: Market Entry
The success of your company depends not only on a well-located office, professional employees, but also on advertising. A lot of money should be invested in this part. Only good advertising can attract potential customers to you. It is necessary that everyone knows about your travel agency. So, everything is ready and you celebrated the opening. Travel agency is ready for normal operation. But where to get customers?
Do not wait immediately for a large stream of people who want to relax. To build up a small tourist base, you need to spend a little time. If you get to the point, then they will talk about you soon. As you know, people are more likely to trust their friends and acquaintances than advertising. That is why it is very important for you at this stage to pay attention to your customers.
There is another option. You can open a franchising agency. An already well-known brand does not require promotion, and it will be much easier for you. After all, it does not require much effort in terms of advertising. How to proceed? You decide.