Has Anyone Started A Travel Agency?

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

I am looking into starting a travel agency of my own. Specifically Disney. I've been doing lots of research, but haven't found straight steps on how to do this. So far, the order of events that I've found are:

Create Company Name and Register with your state(mine is NJ)
purchase E&O Insurance
Apply for IATA or CLIA Number
Complete Disney College of Knowledge
Set up Website

This will be a home-based company. What am I missing? Please share your experiences.

 

[camreesmom]

Buy lots of insurance.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Buy lots of insurance.

I was just looking at my notes and forgot to write purchase E&O insurance before the IATA card. Thanks for correcting me. That is a requirement to qualify for the IATA card.

 

[RumpleMom]

You might want to get some experience working in an established travel agency to see how the process works, unless you already have this experience. Is business booming? Or is business slow at travel agencies because so many people can plan their own vacation on their computer? Have you established that there is a need for this new company?

 

[DisReno]

I am looking into starting a travel agency of my own. Specifically Disney. I've been doing lots of research, but haven't found straight steps on how to do this. So far, the order of events that I've found are:

Create Company Name and Register with your state(mine is NJ)
purchase E&O Insurance
Apply for IATA or CLIA Number
Complete Disney College of Knowledge
Set up Website

This will be a home-based company. What am I missing? Please share your experiences.

I feel like so many people want to start a "Disney" travel company, because they know so much about Disney and they think it would be fun to plan other peoples vacations.

Well, is there really a market for this? I don't think so. There are so many established Travel companies and even more that have gone out of business. It's like a pipe dream. Is there really any money in it? It can take a long time to plan someone's vacation-and yes, it could be fun, but if you need to make a living, this is probably not the way to do it.

I have been going to Disney since 1992, and the last time I used a travel agent was 1998.

 

[barkley]

if you don't have a background in operating your own business I would STRONGLY suggest taking a class or seminar on how to do it in a way that protects the business as well as you as an individual. I know someone who will be paying off her late husband's business debts/liabilities for the rest of her life b/c he didn't set the business up right, I've also lived in neighborhoods where the city/county had homes zoned strictly residential and someone would layout a decent chunk of money to start a home based-no foot traffic business only to have themselves found out and get shut down (along w/a substantial fine). doesn't hurt to talk to a cpa as well-so you find out what substantiates a business vs. a hobby (irs has gotten tighter on this, along w/ business related expenses associated w/ a business operated out of your home). not sure-but you might need to check w/your homeowner's insurance company as well-I've heard of what seemed like valid claims denied b/c insurer has exclusions if the home has a business operating out of it.

 

[NewRVLady]

I have been going to Disney since 1992, and the last time I used a travel agent was 1998.

I have NEVER used one...LOL

 

[okeydokey]

Do people still use travel agencies? I think the need for this service decreases every year.

 

[Tinkermommy]

The one thing I see missing is a business plan. An online home-based travel agency is still a business.

Things to consider:
Who is my target market?
How will I find and promote to customers?
How do I differentiate from competitors (and do I know who they are)?
What is my value proposition? Why should someone use my services?

This is you first step. Once you have a plan, the other stuff is easy.

 

[mefordis]

I think it's a great idea to start your own travel agency if you aren't really depending on any income right away.

I know in my area just about everyone uses a travel agent for Disney trips. And it seems like EVERYONE goes to Disney around here - and more than once. I am planning a friend's trip right now. There is so much involved in a Disney trip and I think most people know that. It is easier to let someone else sit on hold and make all of the reservations - especially since it is free for them to use an agent to do this.

I never use a travel agent now but we did use an agent to plan our honeymoon many years ago and we were glad we did. My husband and I worked long hours and no way did we have time to research. Anyone on this Website would probably not use a travel agent, though. Your target would be someone who works long hours and has no interest in reading up on resorts, entertainment, restaurants, etc. They just want to know the good places and have them booked for them.

They say find something you love to do and you will be good at it, then eventually you can make some money from it. I say go for it.

I think first I would try to rep for another company if possible, though.

 

[Enchanted Minnie]

I'm usually a lurker and don't post too often. (Especially if I'm not planning a trip!) But I just started my own travel agency a few months ago. I started with a host agency to learn the ins and outs of the business. But my host agency was doing some things that I didn't think we were a good fit. So I decided to go out on my own sooner than I had planned.

If you'd like me to message you let me know! I'd be happy to help and answer any questions you might have.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Thank you everyone for the helpful info!!! Yes, in my area as well, their is a demand for Disney travel agents. also, this is not my " get rich quick" plan. It's just something I truly enjoy and figured if I could make a couple bucks out of it, why not
Obviously everyone on the DIS don't need travel agents because we are all the same, we love Disney and know it fairly well. definitely not my target audience ;-)
@Enchanted Minnie i will definitely be shooting you a PM. I would love to discuss this further

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

A good friend of mine started her own travel agency a few years ago specializing in Disney vacations, and her business has grown so much that she just hired a few others (including me) to help. As of this year, she has expanded to many other types of vacations. So, my thinking is to maybe connect with an established agency before venturing out on your own--just to get your feet wet, so to speak. I'm able to call her up any time I have questions or issues, and it's been a great help. Plus, I'll have someone to back me up when I take my own vacation. I have a regular full-time job that I'm keeping, but I'm a single mom, so every little bit helps. It's lots of fun, too!

 

[Geneva St]

I was interested in doing this when I retired, but the internet seems to be killing the travel agencies.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I had thought about starting a travel agency several years ago. I planned all of our trips, helped some family members with their trips, etc. and enjoyed doing that. Some friends of my parents asked me to help them plan their trip. I gave them advice about hotels, things to do, etc. and they didn't really listen to my advice. They ended up picking the hotel they wanted and hated every minute of it, after I advised them not to stay at that hotel. They then returned from their trip and called me several times to complain about the hotel and how awful it was....that was my last interest in being a travel agent. I'd suggest doing the same for some people to see if it really is something you want to do before you put any money into a business.

 

[Oakley Anne]

I'm usually a lurker and don't post too often. (Especially if I'm not planning a trip!) But I just started my own travel agency a few months ago. I started with a host agency to learn the ins and outs of the business. But my host agency was doing some things that I didn't think we were a good fit. So I decided to go out on my own sooner than I had planned.

If you'd like me to message you let me know! I'd be happy to help and answer any questions you might have.

Hi Enchanted Minnie! I'm brand new to the site, but I would love to pick your brain about what all it took to start your own agency if you are still active on this site and running an agency. Let me know if I could chat with you!

 

[Denise W]

Hi Enchanted Minnie! I'm brand new to the site, but I would love to pick your brain about what all it took to start your own agency if you are still active on this site and running an agency. Let me know if I could chat with you!

Zombie thread! Enchanted Minnie hasn't been on here since February and this thread is from 2015!
Denise

 

[Oakley Anne]

Zombie thread! Enchanted Minnie hasn't been on here since February and this thread is from 2015!
Denise

Oops! Sorry! I know the post is old, just thought I would see if she still had some insight to share if she was around! haha

 

[tacraig07]

I'm usually a lurker and don't post too often. (Especially if I'm not planning a trip!) But I just started my own travel agency a few months ago. I started with a host agency to learn the ins and outs of the business. But my host agency was doing some things that I didn't think we were a good fit. So I decided to go out on my own sooner than I had planned.

If you'd like me to message you let me know! I'd be happy to help and answer any questions you might have.

Hi Enchanted Minnie! I have a few questions on this I’d love to pick your brain about! Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi Enchanted Minnie! I have a few questions on this I’d love to pick your brain about! I don’t know if you can chat through here or here’s my email, <edited to clean up quoted post> Thanks!

Generally it's not a good idea to post email on a public forum.