Buying a Travel Agency

[Worldtraveller8888]

A question for all those TA professionals out there....

If someone was interested in buying a TA in the Sydney area, where would be the best place to look for ones that are for sale? Is there an industry publication or something that people most commonly advertise in?

Thanks!

WT

 

[Travel Guru]

Generally theyre advertised in industry publications.

If you're asking for yourself, you wont be able to hold the licence, you need to have a certain number of years (i forget the figure, but 3 or 5 comes to mind) to hold a licence and be accredited by the TCF (Travel Compensation Fund).

TG

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Reminds me a bit of a bumper sticker about sailing:

".....the art of going nowhere while slowly getting wet at great expense".

Some financial advisor said a while back on TV that the jobs that had no future were ones who had the word "agent" in it.

Travel agent, real estate agent etc etc.

I think the internet and the fact consumers can virtually organise their entire trip these days has outstripped the need for a lot of travel agents.

If it was me I would not be buying a travel agency. If you're still hell bent on doing it I would first find some way where you can spend time doing some kind of work experience in a travel agency where you are working with the owner.

At the very least take one out for coffee and ask them if they're happy with where their business is going, how different is the reality compared to what they expected? What don't they like about it?

Too often you hear about owners (any small business not just travel) that get so tied down to their business they don't even have time to take holidays.

Remember that Franchisers can make everything look rosy and quote figures here and there but reality can be vey different. The saying "being promised the world and given an atlas" springs to mind.

Think very very carefull before you commit to any such venture.

Good luck.

Cheers

Oz

 

[Travel Guru]

Reminds me a bit of a bumper sticker about sailing:

".....the art of going nowhere while slowly getting wet at great expense".

Some financial advisor said a while back on TV that the jobs that had no future were ones who had the word "agent" in it.

Travel agent, real estate agent etc etc.

I think the internet and the fact consumers can virtually organise their entire trip these days has outstripped the need for a lot of travel agents.

If it was me I would not be buying a travel agency. If you're still hell bent on doing it I would first find some way where you can spend time doing some kind of work experience in a travel agency where you are working with the owner.

At the very least take one out for coffee and ask them if they're happy with where their business is going, how different is the reality compared to what they expected? What don't they like about it?

Too often you hear about owners (any small business not just travel) that get so tied down to their business they don't even have time to take holidays.

Remember that Franchisers can make everything look rosy and quote figures here and there but reality can be vey different. The saying "being promised the world and given an atlas" springs to mind.

Think very very carefull before you commit to any such venture.

Good luck.

Cheers

Oz

Do you believe everything you hear in the media?? Suppose you believe the world is doomed to end in 2012 too :mrgreen::mrgreen:

If you look at the proof, rather than the BS that "no-news" throws at us everyday you'll actually find the opposite is closer to the truth.

In the US, people who once booked online are now returning to agents in droves, for several reasons, including the rise in dodgy internet websites and the fact people have realised that service does matter.

Honestly, for alot of agents, especially those like myself whose clients are more worried about receiving good service than save $50, things have never been busier and thats not going to change just because some 2 bit journalist pens a story that's only use is to line a bird cage with.

There's no doubt alot of agents are closing down, but at the same time alot are opening up in their place, and I dont believe you'll see an end to travel agents any more than you'll see an end to real estate agents.

Like any business, you have to do your due diligence, you have to have experience in the industry you're going into, not just so you know your product and how to make the bookings, but also so you have your finger on the pulse enough to spot trends and to spot a lucrative nieche when you see one.

TG

 

[drewbles]

I couldn't agree more with TG.

I use a Travel Agent in Perth (I'm on the east coast) who i've known for many years (happens to be one of my best friends, before I knew he was a travel agent!).

For anything domestic point-to-point, 9 times out of 10 i'll book direct. Anything else, it goes through the place he works at.

It's a small agency, not affiliated with any of the jetset type brands, and the owner is a fantastic woman.

They tend to focus most their efforts on specific markets of travel clients, but the service they offer to them is happily extended to anyone, even the once-a-year traveller. Their niche serves them well, with the rest being a bonus.

They don't charge over the top booking fees, and their customer service is sensational (from all the staff there, not just my mate).

Everyone i've ever put onto them has thanked me and swore to keep going back (even my parents who are notoriously fussy with travel agents!).

I go for the service and the peace of mind knowing that they do things right. Cobbled with the amount of dodgy sites (hell zuji sold me on using real life TA's - They booked me an invalid fare and when I rang to follow up where my paper ticket was I was told "oh you can't have that flight the fare basis is incorrect" and would have been denied boarding at the airport if I had rocked up), i'll stick with a TA any day

 

[lovetravellingoz]

There are diiferent trends too.

While the Internet has made many things possible...

It is also the case that people are often time-poor and have outsourced many things from mowing lawns, to buying prepared dishes at the supermarket.

So many will pay to get what they want quickly and with less hassle..

Many people only take occasional trips too, and so rather than spend countless hours researching a trip they will instead opt to book through an agent.

However likeng findinga good mechanic, finding a good agent can be problematic in itself....

 

[Natt]

However likeng findinga good mechanic, finding a good agent can be problematic in itself....

Tell me about it - tried finding a good travel agent - it was very fustrating.

Then again our proposed travel is pretty abnormal

I think I have found a good cruise agent though - no surcharge on AMEX makes me very happy!

I did manage to find a good builder, although I am not convinced hes not an alien.

He turned up on time, explained things to us, when we changed the plan slighty he knocked money off his quote, and he left us with a can of a paint for touchups.

And the job was done quickly, and payment was not required until the end and we were happy with the job

hmm thinking about it he must have been an alien :shock:

 

[Travel Guru]

Then again our proposed travel is pretty abnormal

Okay, i'm going to bite...how was it abnormal??

TG

 

[Natt]

Okay, i'm going to bite...how was it abnormal??

TG

Lol and if anything I thought the alien builder was odder

I don't think our itinerary is odd, but the travel agents we dealt with had a hard time.

Basically we had two options RTW Business class, or cobble together the itinerary.

First option was far easier - and they seemed to handle it OK, but we chose the second

Doing the whole planes, trains, automobiles and a couple of ships thing.

Maybe we did not find the right agent perhaps?

 

[markis10]

Generally theyre advertised in industry publications.

If you're asking for yourself, you wont be able to hold the licence, you need to have a certain number of years (i forget the figure, but 3 or 5 comes to mind) to hold a licence and be accredited by the TCF (Travel Compensation Fund).

TG

Any person or company wishing to conduct business as a licensed travel agent in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, or the Australian Capital Territory, is required to be a participant in the TCF.

There is no minimum years required to be accredited by the TCF, only the need to demonstrate that the business is viable, steps when buying a business include the normal procedures including an auditor as well as providing:

1. Copy of the sale/purchase agreement for the business.
2. Evidence that the lease of business premises has been transferred to the new applicant.
3. Letter from the vendor as to the treatment of client deposits at the date of changeover.
4. Letter from the vendor advising whether the vendor’s participation in the TCF will be terminated and its licence surrendered after approval of this application.

Since the OP is NSW based they will need to have a manger that meets the following requirements if they want to sell international travel otherwise the requirements are:

• be 18 years old or over
• be considered fit and proper for the purposes of the licence
• ensure the manager of the business has the necessary educational qualifications and experience
• be eligible to be a member of the Travel Compensation Fund.

Where the travel agent's business involves the sale of tickets or the arrangement of rights of passage for international travel or international travel and accommodation, the person in charge of the day-to-day business must have the following prescribed qualifications and/or experience:

1. Successful completion of Unit of Competency THTSOP20A or SITTTSL013A provided or assessed by a registered provider within the meaning of the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Act 2005 or
2. A total of 1 years' experience over the preceding 5 years in:

• selling tickets or arranging rights of passage for international travel or international travel and accommodation
• employed as the person in charge of the day-to-day conduct of a place of business of a travel agent licensed under the Act or a corresponding Act that involves the selling of tickets, or the arrangement of rights of passage, for international travel or international travel and accommodation.

There is no need for the person in charge of the day-to-day business to have any qualifications and/or experience if the travel agent's business only involves travel arrangements within Australia.

You dont need a licence if your turnover is less than 50K for the fiscal year.

Note to self - dont buy any tickets from a NT based agent

 

[dajop]

Many people only take occasional trips too, and so rather than spend countless hours researching a trip they will instead opt to book through an agent.

Yes I know many people who can't be bothered with the hassle(or wouldn't know how to start looking) of booking an entire trip over the internet. I think there is still plenty of money in the market for both good travel agents (providing a high level of service to repeat clients) and shoddy travel agents (ripping off the gullible and naive who don't shop around, one particular chain springs to mind), especially for international travel.

I am sure there others on here who find half the fun of the trip researching and making bookings (after all by the mere fact we are on AFF means we have a different perspective to many), but I am sure that is not the norm. On our last trip to Europe I think we used 3 different airline sites and expedia to book airfares, about 8 or 9 different hotel sites to book accommodation, and two websites to book train fares ... a nightmare for many people, but we enjoyed it (... I think ...)

 

[Travel Guru]

Maybe we did not find the right agent perhaps?

I think thats a mistake many people make, and often live to regret...

TG

 

[Natt]

I think thats a mistake many people make, and often live to regret...

TG

hmm you have me a little worried :shock:

Is not choosing a travel agent a valid choice then?

 

[notzac]

IMHO not using a travel agent is a valid decision to make, but you need to be prepared to look after yourself if the @*($ hits the fan.

 

[drewbles]

IMHO not using a travel agent is a valid decision to make, but you need to be prepared to look after yourself if the @*($ hits the fan.

As the quasi-tag line for the Travel Agent I (and indeed others on here) use.. "Without a Travel Agent, You're on your own".

Truer words never spoken. Have had several things crop up overseas with flight issues, and the TA solved them all for me (this was before I was clued up on things thanks to AFF and FT).

 

[Bang4Buck]

Generally theyre advertised in industry publications.

If you're asking for yourself, you wont be able to hold the licence, you need to have a certain number of years (i forget the figure, but 3 or 5 comes to mind) to hold a licence and be accredited by the TCF (Travel Compensation Fund).

TG

Bollocks. It seems in QLD (maybe NSW) it's real easy. Do a couple of TAFE subjects and you're set; just have enough money to satisfy the TCF. All info is easily obtained by googling.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I am sure there others on here who find half the fun of the trip researching and making bookings (after all by the mere fact we are on AFF means we have a different perspective to many), but I am sure that is not the norm. ... a nightmare for many people, but we enjoyed it (... I think ...)

Yes not the norm at all.

After many of my trips I might be chatting to a colleague or a friend about it..

They are often interested in where I went and what I did....but very few in how it was arranged...or if they do their eyes will in the main soon "glaze" over.

It is a bit like when I mention that most of my International flights are either "rewards" or "bargains".. Their initial WOW really, soon dissipates if you try and explain the mechanics of aquistion, points running etc. So these days I mainy don't bother.

 

[Travel Guru]

Bollocks. It seems in QLD (maybe NSW) it's real easy. Do a couple of TAFE subjects and you're set; just have enough money to satisfy the TCF. All info is easily obtained by googling.

The Late Jim Rohn once said, 'you can't teach a kid to ride a bike in a seminar'

TG

 

[straitman]

Bollocks. It seems in QLD (maybe NSW) it's real easy. Do a couple of TAFE subjects and you're set; just have enough money to satisfy the TCF. All info is easily obtained by googling.

A fairly aggressive post IMHO.

Having said that I think that you are dreaming :!:

There is not a chance that it would be that easy to make it all work.

 

[Bundy Bear]

For point to point stuff I just book it online but for anything more complicated then I use the travel agent.

Things can crop up and the travel agent is good to ring when you can''t get to a computer.

If you try and ring the airline you could be on hold for a while; ring the travel agent tell them your problem and they can usually book a flight or a car for you very easily and they usually have your credit card and frequent flier card details on file.

If you want to buy a mid range fare then the travel agent usually is better at doing this.

If you are booking a trip to a new destination then the travel agent can also be useful for this as well.