How to Start a Tour Operator Business

There are lots of tour opportunities in the travel field. From high cost to low cost, from sports activities to sightseeing – You’ve got the growing baby boomer market as well as the new “staycation” crowd who are all looking for planned activities that can entertain them.

As long as you like being around people, you can enjoy the fun lifestyle of a tour guide, and you don’t even need to enjoy to travel.

What?

That’s right. Tour guides don’t necessarily need to travel the world and work in exotic places. Well sure, those can be the whole reason you want to get into the travel business – but what if you want to stay local? You might be surprised at the number of tour guide opportunities there are lying in wait in your backyard. In fact, tours can be for travelers, but they can also be a big draw for people in the surrounding area – if you’ve got a fun and interesting tour.

Putting Together a Business Plan

It’s ideal, of course, to have touring experience (both as a traveler and as a guide) before starting your own tour business so that you understand the unique dynamics of group travel.

Option #1
The International Tour Management Institute teaches tour guide training programs and assists new tour guides with job placement. At the time of this writing, the program costs about $3,600.

Option #2

If you are looking for more of a learn-on-your-own training approach, but still want professional instruction, check out Cherie Anderson. Cherie is an experienced tour guide operator with over 20 years experience. She has taught individuals how to break into the tour industry for several years.

She knows how to get hired by professional touring companies – whether you want to work for a cruise line, an adventure travel company or an organization that plans student tours. See sells a guide sharing how to do this for about $200. Limited availability.

Option #3
Another option is an insider’s guide by Marc Mancini, who has worked in the travel field as both a teacher and consultant.

He can written a guide that explains how to plan tours, successfully manage large groups of people and how to prepare for the unexpected as a professional tour guide. It’s appropriately called “Conducting Tours”, and you can check it out at Amazon.

How to Find Clients

How about finding people to book travel tours with you? Advertise where these people are looking.

Online Travel Directories:

If you have a tour company, you can access millions of interested customers online with a travel directory like RealAdventures.com. Find customers who have money to spend and want help planning their vacation activities.

Infohub is a website that was created specifically for tour guide operators, hotels, resorts and other travel specialists. This travel website features all sorts of unique travel and tour ideas worldwide – specifically for your target market – the traveler looking for organized trips or unique travel.

Business Cards and Logos:

Get business cards and a cool logo. One of the cheapest ways you can advertise is with business cards. In addition to your contact information, don’t be shy about including a short list of services or special offers you are running. Don’t forget the space on the back of the card! Include your photo to make your business more memorable, or create magnetic business cards that your prospects will actually find useful – and your “ad” will last longer.

Websites:

Set up a website. A website allows your customers to find out more about your services, your rates and your business – at their convenience.

It’s also a marketing tool that can save you time and money, since it can work for you, while you are not working. It can even take reservations, questions or handle purchases for you. You can also list money-saving travel tips to educate your visitors and help them get to know, like and trust you.

Cut costs and create a website yourself. See how.

Your Phone Number:

A 800 toll-free phone number is a simple an effective way to lure in new customers without having to cold call. Include your toll-free number on all company literature, business cards, websites, advertisements, and you’re likely to see a big increase in customer response.

How to Be a Local Tour Guide for Your Area

You may not have considered your own local town or city a “tourist attraction”, but you may be surprised at the opportunities that surround you.

There are so many things that people like to see and do – and they may not even know it’s available to them. Historical landmarks, viewpoints, hiking, biking, wine tasting, bird or nature watching, kayak or canoe rides, helicopter tours, city walking tours or brewery tours. These are just a few ideas of what you can do.

You don’t have to even possess knowledge of your area’s history or own a helicopter or whatever – you can partner with someone who does, and they can help lead the tours while you find clients and manage the business.

In addition to not knowing what activities are available in a given area, most tourists are on vacation and don’t want to go through the work and hassle of finding out the best places to go, where to rent equipment or finding transportation to get there. If you can provide the services and make a fun day easy – you’re likely to be making some sales.

To enhance your customer’s visit and boost your income, consider offering souvenirs or photos of them during their visit. If you provide something that they really like, they’ll appreciate the effort, and the memento can actually help “advertise” your tour service to future customers.

If you’re on a shoestring budget, conduct a tour that can be done on foot, or partner with a business who can provide the supplies and equipment for a share in the profit. You don’t have to invest in lots of gear up front – and you may never have to.

Tour Guide Associations

The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations
The WFTGA’s main purpose is to promote, market and ensure that tourist guides are recognised as the ambassadors of a region.

United States Tour Operators Association
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a professional association representing the tour operator industry.

National Tour Association
The National Tour Association is a trade organization of thousands of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry.

For more new business ideas for small and home-based companies, visit The New Business Idea. You can also get over 200 business start-up guides and download the Home Business Start-Up Checklist free from www.HomeBusinessCenter.com.