Tourists are people who travel outside their home to spend time visiting a distinct environment for both business and pleasure. Both are considered tourists and can travel both within their country and abroad. A tourism business refers to any business that meets the needs of tourists. Follow these steps to start a tourism business.
Steps
Step 1. Decide in which tourism sector you would like to focus your business
You have several options to choose from:
- Transportation services. This sector involves the transportation of tourists to, from and within the tourist destination.
- Travel Agencies. Travel agencies offer packages that include transportation, accommodation and attractions.
- Accommodations. These include hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, rental homes and any other places tourists can stay while on the go.
- Guided trips and tourist guides. A guided tour or professional tour guide service is a tourism business that specializes in arranging informative and enjoyable trips between the local attractions of a place.
- Hospitality. Includes any facility offering food or drink to tourists.
Step 2. Take into account your geographic location
Local tourist attractions are good indicators of what might or might not be a successful tourism business. For example, if you live in an area secluded from the public and filled with vineyards, then guided vineyard tours, local bed and breakfasts and airport transportation services are all viable business options.
Step 3. Study the competition
Do a thorough research of tourism in your region before deciding which tourism activity is appropriate for you. You have to choose a tourism sector that is not too congested and to which you can contribute something unique.
Step 4. Draw up a business plan
The business plan is the project of your tourism activity and should contain the following sections:
- Project summary. Describe the goals, name, location, staffing needs, management team, market sector, competition, marketing plan, and financial outlook for your business.
- Summary of the tourism business. This part should contain details of how the ownership of the business will be distributed and the requirements for starting it (financing, assets and headquarters).
- Products and / or services. You must outline the products and / or services that your business will provide to tourists.
- Market analysis. Look for information on the target market and the competition.
- Business strategy. Describe the business management plan, the marketing plan and establish the sales prices of the product / service.
- Financial summary. Illustrate your business's spending and profit prospects.
Step 5. Get the necessary funds
Present your business plan to potential investors and / or shareholders to obtain the capital necessary for the start-up and initial operation of the business.
Step 6. Choose a venue
Step 7. Obtain all necessary tourism licenses through government regulatory agencies
Step 8. Advertise your tourism business
- Use social networks. Create free profiles in the main social networks.
- Create a website for your business. Make sure you hire a search engine optimization (SEO) expert to maximize your site's presence online.
- List your business in all online directories.
- Advertise in print. Buy advertising space in newspapers, magazines and trade publications.
