How to Start a Travel Club Business

Travel is big business, which unfortunately means its too expensive for some people. But through a travel club, would-be travelers can receive great deals, discounts and sometimes even free trips. Starting a travel club business is a great way to make some extra money while also helping people travel. Here's how to start a travel club business.

Instructions

1

Decide on what type of travel club to create. Do you want to focus on a group of people such as singles or seniors? Or do you want to focus on a type of travel such as cruises? You can even focus on a destination such as Europe or Disneyland.

2

Set up your business. Decide on a business name making sure its not trademarked by another company (visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark office online http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp). Create your business structure. You'll probably want to create an LLC to protect your personal assets from lawsuits. Obtain permits and licenses as required by your city or county.

3

Create a business plan. This document outlines your ideas for your travel club including the services included in club membership, the target market for your business, your marketing plan, financial information, and your goals for the travel business over the next 12 months.

4

Research vendors to invite to offer deals to your members. Travel-related companies (hotels, airlines, etc) offer discounts and deals to travel clubs because it saves them money on advertising. Create a list of companies using the Internet, magazines and other resources to identify travel vendors that are offering deals that could fit with your travel club.

5

Use your business plan to recruit travel vendors to participate in the travel club. Focus your presentation on the benefits the travel company will receive by participating in your travel club. The ideal benefit will be increased business, but increased exposure through your marketing is a benefit as well.

6

Recruit members to the club. Once you have all the vendors in place, you can begin selling memberships. Based on the type of club you've formed, create marketing materials that people interested in your type of club will respond to and put them where they'll find them. This can include advertising, travel articles, networking, and PR both online and off.