If you love traveling, at the same time you want to put up your own business, owning a home-based travel agency franchise might just be the right one for you. No need to go elsewhere because we are going to provide essential information you need on how to start one.
Maybe traveling is not ideal at the moment because of the pandemic going on not just in the country but around the world, but, the fact is, there is still a huge appetite for travel.
Once all of these stop, people will surely go back traveling and exploring places. It’s probably safe to say that people nowadays are hungry for travel, and when it’s safer, the demand will surely be high. And when that happens, you would definitely want to have a well-established home-based travel agency already.
According to a report from Statista, travel, and tourism is a booming industry in the country. In fact, “domestic and international travelers contributed nearly 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars to the country’s gross domestic product in 2018 alone.“
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In the same report, it further states that “domestic travel spending has consistently contributed more than international, making up around 80 percent of spending year-on-year for the past five years.”
Apart from the fact that travel and tourism helps a lot in the U.S. economy, it also provides a lot of employment opportunities to the American people, which, based on statistics, it directly contributes to an estimated 5.29 million jobs in the year 2017 alone.
Perhaps this year the numbers will go down because of the crisis, but experts, and we, too, believe that once all these subside, the travel and tourism industry in the country will rise up again.
Given all the figures stated, it is definitely safe to say that even with the current situation, having a business related to travel and tourism would still be a hit. Now, here comes the opportunity of building up your very own home-based travel agency franchise.
As mentioned, even with the pandemic around, there is no better time to start a home-based travel agency than now. By doing so, you get to establish the very foundation of your business. You can take training, and all other stuff you need to be very knowledgeable about the industry, and essentially, be ready to capitalize on the rise in travel that will come once all of this is over.
With all that’s been said, today, as we said early on, we are going to provide you essential information on how to set up your own home-based travel agency, at the same time, provide you knowledge on how a home-based travel agency franchise works. Hopefully, by the end of this, you get to gauge whether or not this kind of business is a perfect fit for you.
To guide us through, we are particularly focusing on the following:
- What is a home-based travel agency franchise?
- How does a home-based travel agency franchise work?
- What are the benefits of starting a home-based travel agency franchise?
- How much do you earn from having a home-based travel agency franchise?
- Why start a home-based travel agency franchise now?
- What are the best travel agency franchise businesses in the U.S?
WHAT IS A HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE?
First and foremost, if you are looking at putting up a home-based travel agency, you need to check your options. In this case, we are looking into a home-based travel agency franchise.
Currently, home-based franchises and business opportunities are booming across the country. With the current situation we are in, it won’t be surprising if the number will rise even more.
One of the home-based business franchises available in the home-based travel agency franchise.
The thing about a home-based travel agency franchise is that there are a lot of great opportunities out there that fit your investment range.
Similar to other home-based business franchises, a home-based travel agency franchise allows you to manage a successful business right at the comforts of your home. Needless to say, having such kind of business does not necessarily require you to quit your day job — unless of course, you find it really satisfying and that it can cover all your monthly expenses.
Apart from that, another benefit of starting a home-based travel agency franchise is that it can be very cost-effective. Well, you do not need to rent a space to be your office, or pay for overhead expenses as you can do everything on your own at home.
Also, since it is a “franchise,” it spares you from doing so much paperwork that business owners need to deal with when putting up a business. It can get very challenging sometimes. But with franchises, it can be very manageable. It’s like somebody already did all the groundwork for you, and all you have to do is continue what has already been started.
Now, let’s move on to the next —
HOW DOES A HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE WORK?
When starting off a business of any kind, it is important that as a business owner you know and understand how the business works. That way, you can manage to do what’s necessary to make your business work and grow.
Now, as a home-based travel agency franchise owner, your job is to basically run the whole business on your own, and earn money along the way by helping people book various travel experiences, which include hotels, car rentals, land tours, cruises, all-inclusive resorts, as well as travel activities, and many more. Well, basically anything that has to do with travel.
Since it’s a travel agency franchise while you are going to handle the business on your own, you will have the support as well as leverage of the country’s largest travel franchise network behind your back, which definitely makes work a lot manageable.
You get to take full advantage of the network and get whatever help you need. For instance, the mother travel company will provide you a comprehensive training as well as ongoing coaching to help you build up and grow your home-based travel agency business. Furthermore, there are available award-winning marketing programs to help you attract more customers, as well as industry-leading technology to provide you knowledge on how to drive more sales to the business.
You seem that’s the beauty of having a home-based travel agency franchise. It’s like you have a bunch of experts at your back to help ensure you get customers, and of course, sales – lots of them.
Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about how to start a travel agency with travel franchises, here’s an informative video from Cruise Planners Travel Agency Franchise, which is one of the most popular travel agency that offers franchises in the country:
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STARTING A HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE?
While some people may find the idea of working from home, or in this case, building a home-based travel agency as a crazy idea, it actually is not. In fact, you get to benefit a lot from starting your own home-based travel agency, more so if it is a franchise.
Some of the benefits you get are:
- Flexibility and Convenience – Similar to any other home-based business, a home-based travel agency provides you so much flexibility. You only need a computer and an internet connection, and you can basically work anywhere and anytime you want — unless of course, you are running on a deadline. Since you own it, you are your own boss. You get to decide whether to work on it full-time or part-time, or day or night.
- Working With A Trusted Brand – There are a lot of travel agencies out there that offer franchises. With that, you can choose to work with some of the industry’s best, and you will have no problem at all. You do not need to start from zero, because these agencies will provide you everything you need to run the business franchise. Also, since you are working on a trusted brand, it makes attracting clients so much easier.
- No Experience Required – Most travel agencies that offer franchises do not need you to be experienced in this field. You can start off a home-based travel agency business even without previous experience. The agency you will be dealing with will be the one providing you all the training you need to kick off and grow your business. You are given access to a lot of online training, and you can even take advantage of a personal business development coach who will guide you through.
These are just some of the many benefits you get from having your very own home-based travel agency franchise.
By the way, if you are a mom, this means having more time spent with your kids and your family as a whole. Also, with the current situation, this also means staying at home and staying safe.
HOW MUCH DO YOU EARN FROM HAVING A HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE?
Of course, one of the things we always consider before jumping into anything is how much are we going to make from this.
It’s a valid question because, at the end of the day, we are after earning. We are after making sure it can help pay off the bills, right?
Just like any other home-based jobs out there, how much you earn as a home-based travel agency franchise owner will depend on how much time and effort you put into it.
Now, based on an article published by Travel Professional News, “industry resources show relatively low incomes for agents at an average of around $37,000 per year.” The main reason for this is that home-based agents “slash” owners only work part-time and have no expectation of generating bigger incomes.
However, things go differently if business owners/agents work full-time and have set goals to achieve. In that case, he or she will become more aggressive in ensuring the business gets lots of clients, and of course, ensure he or she gets to do all things done.
Travel and tourism is a huge industry. There is so much potential and money in there. It’s really about strategizing and making time and lots of effort to ensure you hit your goals.
WHY START A HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE NOW?
Of course, we all know what the current situation is. With the COVID-19 pandemic, everything is put on hold – including people’s travel plans. But, not because times are tough for the travel and tourism industry, and the whole business community, everything will just be on-hold — including your goals and dreams.
You need to start somewhere. Things will eventually get better, and when that happens you surely would want to be ready, right?
So, while everything else is still on a pause, start building your business now so when the world is better, you are up in there, ready to provide services for people in need of help for their travel needs.
While waiting, you can start off by learning about the ins and outs of the industry. Basically, making sure you know all the know-how about the business so you get fully equipped with knowledge about it. That will essentially help you grow your business.
Again, even with what’s happening around, there is no better time to start off your home-based travel agency business than now.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE BUSINESSES IN THE U.S.?
So, we have been talking about starting off a home-based travel agency, what it is all about, and how to go about it. This time, we are going to provide you with some of the best travel agency franchise businesses in the country.
Ideally, you get a franchise from any of these agencies. That way, you are ensured of a good reputation, which means it would make attracting clients so much easier.
Anyway, here’s the list —
Cruise Planners
Initial investment: from $2,295
Royalty Fees: 3%
Cruise Planners was founded in 1994 and has been franchising since 1999. An American Express Travel Representative, Cruise Planner is currently the country’s largest home-based travel advisor franchise network.
As a Cruise Planners travel franchise owner, you get to take advantage of various benefits like the flexibility of running a business anywhere and anytime you want, access to award-winning, innovative marketing, as well as dynamic, hands-on training; lead-generating tools; cutting-edge mobile technology; and professional coaching and development.
As of this writing, Cruise Planners have 2,570 franchise units.
Travel Leaders
Initial investments: from $2,270
Royalty Fees: to $1,000 per month
Founded in 1888, Travel Leaders transforms travel with a brand that embodies its commitment to vacation and business travel clients. It does provide a progressive approach toward every one-of-a-kind travel experience. As a franchisee, you get to take advantage of effective business tools and strategies, including the unequaled Business Travel Management programs. It also provides an all-inclusive toolbox that provides its franchisees everything they need to run the business successfully.
Travel Leaders, by the way, has been franchising since 1984. Yes, quite a long time now, which translates to a solid reputation and credibility in the travel industry.
To date, Travel Leaders have 2,270 franchise units.
Dream Vacations
Initial investment: from $1,795
Royalty Fees: 1.5 – 3%
Dream Vacations was founded in 1991 and has been franchising since 1992. The company is part of World Travel Holdings and is currently the largest seller of cruise vacations in the world. On top of that, the company is also highly regarded as the industry’s premier travel franchise.
As a Dream Vacations franchisee, you get to take advantage of full training, as well as dynamic continuing education opportunities to ensure your success in the travel industry.
At the moment, Dream Vacations have 1,432 franchise units.
Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Initial investment: from $165,495
Royalty Fees: 9%
Expedia CruiseShipCenters was founded in 1987 and is a full-service travel agency franchise. Obviously, the company specializes in cruises. However, it still does offer a full range of travel products.
As an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise owner, your job is to basically support your travel agents and earn through commissions. Unlike other franchises, with this company, you have to have a team. In fact, the bigger and more successful your team is, the better your financial returns will be.
Although it started franchising since 1987, the company has only 240 franchise units to date. Well, the initial investment might have a huge impact on that.
Million Air
Initial investment: from $125,000
Royalty Fees: 5%
Founded in 1984 in Dallas, Texas, Million Air Interlink is known for providing FBO (Fixed Base Operation), as well as charter and maintenance service through its network of independent franchise owners.
Though it has been in the business since the 1980s, it was only in 1994 that the company opened for franchising.
As of today, the company has 29 franchise units.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE
Travel is essential. It is essential to work, and to our personal lives. People love to travel to places. Even though we are currently restricted to travel, one thing’s for sure, once this all settles down, the travel and tourism industry will gain back its glory days.
While we are still waiting for that day to come, today is the best day to start off a home-based travel agency. This allows you to prepare once everything gets back to normal. You can start with knowing the ins and outs of the industry, you can gain knowledge through training provided by travel agencies. There certainly is a lot of things to do to be able to compete once travel and tourism are back.
Are you ready for it? Are you excited to build your own home-based travel agency?
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