Helping small tour operators and niche agents with travel ecommerce
Setting up an online travel agency in UK
Hello to all Small Fishes!!!
I am a new-comer in this site as well as to travel business. So, don´t be surprised by my REALLY beginner-questions.
My plan is to start-up with a Host Agency (or couple of them, if it will make sense and if it is possible at all) and after some experience gained to become a Principal at the same time.
Need info on these subjects:
1. Finding a good Host Agency in UK (found a serious one that costs 10.000 pounds as a joining fee and still has ongoing charges, I think it is impossibly too much, especially because u make money for them too. Thought it was a good one with training provided, software and hardware supply and ongoing support in everything from accounting to marketing. Expedia, Kayak or Travelocity require experience and proven financial performance, which for me, as a start-up, is still long way to go...)
2. Any accreditation or qualification needed to start with? I was thinking on taking the Virgin Atlantic/Galileo intensive course for the future (in order to become a Principal with a "know how")
3. Looking for an insider to take me through all the details and steps on "how to"...Fee is negociable.
Thank you
I am a new-comer in this site as well as to travel business. So, don´t be surprised by my REALLY beginner-questions.
My plan is to start-up with a Host Agency (or couple of them, if it will make sense and if it is possible at all) and after some experience gained to become a Principal at the same time.
Need info on these subjects:
1. Finding a good Host Agency in UK (found a serious one that costs 10.000 pounds as a joining fee and still has ongoing charges, I think it is impossibly too much, especially because u make money for them too. Thought it was a good one with training provided, software and hardware supply and ongoing support in everything from accounting to marketing. Expedia, Kayak or Travelocity require experience and proven financial performance, which for me, as a start-up, is still long way to go...)
2. Any accreditation or qualification needed to start with? I was thinking on taking the Virgin Atlantic/Galileo intensive course for the future (in order to become a Principal with a "know how")
3. Looking for an insider to take me through all the details and steps on "how to"...Fee is negociable.
Thank you
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alex Bainbridge on -
Hi Anastasija
Welcome to SFBO!
I am not sure I can help right with answers but I am sure others will chime in. The only question I have is are you confident you have found a niche that can make money? I don't want to come over all negative but existing, experienced, travel agents are currently struggling. What makes you sure you can succeed?
Not trying to be difficult - but if you can't answer that (at least in your own mind, if not publicly) then starting an online travel agent may not be the best way forward. Instead focus on becoming a niche tour operator?
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Permalink Reply by Alex Bainbridge on
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Stuart Oliver, via Twitter, suggests
"Buy a business that's in administration/liquidation.You'll get to keep ABTA/ATOL/Whatever accreditations.Don't do franchise."
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Permalink Reply by Anastasija on -
Yes, I thought about it too.
But first, I am afraid that it would rase my expencies drammaticly in a beginning and second, the brand´s reputation and "past bagage" of purchased business can be difficult to overcome and sometimes can take years...
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Permalink Reply by Anastasija on
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Thank you for your answer, Alex.
This what I don´t get as well. If I am working with a Host Agency, I still get to promote and organize my niche trips? I thought I only sell what they offer the way they offer; and that I get to organize my niche trips only when I am a Principal.
And Yes, I found a niche that would bring clients but isn´t served well yet by travel operators. Still a lot of research to undertake, but I will get there :)
I am planning also to set-up an Agency in at least 5 languages - in 4 of which I am fluent, so I get to promote Host Agency travel products to the marekts they don´t...
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Permalink Reply by Alex Mcnish on -
Hi Alex
I have recently been reading your information on setting up an agency, i am currently researching this opportunity.I am slightly confused as i always assumed it was easier to become a travel agent than a tour operator, what is the difference between these two.Why is setting up a niche tour operator business easier than a niche travel agency, what would be the difference?
cheers
Alex
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Permalink Reply by Gareth Thomas on -
Hi Anastasija
I think now is actually a great time to start a travel company. But the net offers some fantastic (and cost effective) ways of doing market research.
What I would suggest is starting off with something simple (like a blog) and building up interest in the niche you wish to operate. This gives you a chance to see if there is demand and interest in what you want to offer. It also makes it much easier to start making money - when the time comes you will have an established and respected website already.
You can also try running some PPC ads to start getting instant feedback on the demand for your offering. No click throughs would likely mean your in the wrong business, lots of click throughs and I would say you've got a good chance of making some money.
Hope that helps.
Cheers - Gareth
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Permalink Reply by Anastasija on
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Yes, thanks for the dvice.
I know it´s how it should start to get it right. But I am not very good in writing and to have a good blog - u just have to love doing that. I don´t :) PPC in travel industry goes to very high bids...but, yeah, i could try it just for couple of weeks as a research in order to see if someone is interested in...
Thanx
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Permalink Reply by Alex Mcnish on
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Hi Gareth
I have been reading your idea wirh interest, i am thinking of setting up a niche travel agency, just intrigued to see how the exact mechanics of the Blog youare suggesting would operate.Do you mean set up a website with a Blog page or just a Blog somewhere else,if so where. What would be the content of this Blog page, i.e. a description of the holidays and then some sort of questionairre.Any examples or similar Blogs perhaps outside the travel industry you could point me towards
What isa PPC advert?
cheers
Alex
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Permalink Reply by Murray H on -
Before I say anything, what does one mean by a "host agency"???
By the way, if an agent has gone into administration then any ATOL ABTA IATA and everything else goes out the window. You would NOT pick that up from the administrator. You would have to re-apply in your own right, on an arms length basis. Just wanted to clear that up!
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Permalink Reply by Anastasija on
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Host Agency - is the Tour Operator that independant travel agents bond with in order to use their (TO) software and experience to book the air trips and other travel products that they offer.
Travel Agents get the access to booking engine and the Tour Operator gets more sales. Both share comissions from sales.
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Permalink Reply by Anastasija on
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About the Host Agency - I think I found the good one, spoke with them on the phone today- liked their approach and service. They are american company, but no problem being registered in UK. No joining fee, all support provided.
P.S. Just wondering - is there anyone who is starting a travel business right now too? Would be nice to have a company, not for stealing ideas, but for information sharing and mutual "kicking and pushing" ;)
Xxx
Anastasija
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Permalink Reply by Gareth Thomas on
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I'm not in the business of selling tours/flights so can't comment on that. But we started a website a while back and really started pushing it about a year ago. So far this year has been really good and in particular the last 3 weeks (2 of which were the best we've seen so far).
But I get the impression this is because more people are staying in the UK this year combined with the £ looking quite appealing to some foreign travellers.
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