Business Plans For Traveling In Time

I found myself gazing out the window with pictures of palm trees dancing in my head.  (sigh)  Should you be afflicted with the same disease, not to worry.  There are now lots of ways to take that wanderlust and turn it into a real, live viable business opportunity.

Here are a few ideas to get your dreams started.

ONLINE TRAVEL WEBSITE.  Thousands upon thousands of people are taking their very favorite spot and creating magical websites.  This does NOT require a travel agent license because you are not taking money for tickets.  If you are fortunate enough to sell tickets at all, it will be through one of the major online services as an affiliate.  Or hook up with an agent who can use your services and feed that agent clients.  This romantic California travel site is one of my favorites.  You can do just as well yourself!


CITY GUIDE SERVICE.  People from other countries visit whereever it is you are.  Usually.  If your area happens to be in a solid tourist area, develop a business plan to become a personal tour guide.  Foreign language ability is nice,  but not always required. 

RELOCATION SERVICE.  A colleague lives in a part of France that is popular for English retirees.  His business?  Helping those retirees relocate smoothly, setting up bank accounts, finding housing, getting the utilities hooked up, etc.  He has a very nice little business doing this AND he lives in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

TRAVEL WRITER.  It is tough to make a living as a travel writer, but it is a superb avocation, with a lot of tax write offs.

All of the above businesses can easily be home based businesses.  None of them are expensive to start, and all can begin as part time businesses.

For the serious travel agent, one with experience who is ready to grow, funding may be an issue.  Our recommendation:  latch onto the 7 Step Travel Agent Business Plan (pictured above) and put together a business plan to knock their socks off.  Define your market -- cruises, corporate travel, exotic travel, destination weddings, etc. -- and make it your own.

The travel and tourism field has had a rough time the past few years.  It is time for it to really perk up and you can be there, ready to take advantage of it.  The decision is yours.