Whether the economy is up or down, people always want and need to travel—for a business meeting, a family vacation or just to enjoy some much-needed R&R. The travel industry generates $3.4 billion daily. That’s a lot of people who need help with their travel plans! Although many of these travelers use online travel sites to research and plan their trips, many others continue to rely on travel agents who have the expertise and insider knowledge to find the best deals. And guess what? There aren’t enough travel agents to go around. That means now is the perfect time for you to launch your own business as a travel agent.

Our comprehensive guide is packed with all the information you need to know about five lucrative ways to get in on the travel services industry: homebased travel service, specialty/niche travel service, corporate travel service, franchise travel service, and independent contracting for a larger travel agency. Filled with insider information from industry experts and successful travel service operators, this guide contains valuable tips and useful advice on:

You also get step-by-step instructions, checklists and work sheets to guide you through each stage of the startup process, plus a list of hundreds of valuable resources to help you.

You don’t need a lot of money to get started, either. These businesses can be launched for as little as $1,200, without any employees. You can operate out of your home, from a corner of the den or a spare bedroom. Best of all, you’re in complete control. You can devote as little or as much time to the business as you want…and that means the sky’s the limit!

What are you waiting for? There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored! Buy your Travel Services guide today.

All Aboard!

Downturns in the economy can't stop it. Weather conditions can't shut it down—at least, not for long. Even the catastrophic events of 9/11 couldn't derail it. It, of course, is the travel industry, and while the economy and unforeseen incidents that tragic day in September have tended to slow down the pace of travel, the industry continues to enjoy robust activity despite challenges that are enough to send other industries into tailspins. No doubt that's because people will always want or need to go places, whether it's to a business meeting or conference, to spend the holidays with Grandma in another state, or just to enjoy some much deserved R&R.

This overall need to travel that's shared by average citizens and corporate denizens alike means that this is an excellent time to launch a travel services business. A significant part of the reason is simply because the field isn’t overpopulated. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 88,000 travel agents, while the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) says there are 19,000 ARC authorized retail agency locations. In addition, a CreditSuisse First Boston report estimates there are 15,000 to 20,000 homebased travel agents, a figure that is expected to rise to about 40,000 by 2010. Even if the trend that's developing in homebased travel services does materialize, there still aren't a lot of travel agents to go around, especially when you consider that the 300 millionth American was born in 2006.

What's more, these opportunities for success in the travel industry exist despite the proliferation of online travel services like Priceline.com and Hotwire. While some people do take the time to painstakingly research their own itineraries and make their own reservations, many others continue to rely on travel agents who have the knowledge and insight to find the best deals and connections because they don't have the time or simply don't want to do it themselves.

And make no mistake about it: The travel industry is huge. Research by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) indicates that the travel and tourism industry generates $1.3 trillion in economic activity in the U.S. every year. That's equivalent to $3.4 billion a day, $148 million an hour, $2.4 million a minute and $40,000 a second. No wonder the opportunities for aspiring travel services business owners abound.

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