Alfa Travel Corp Business
Business Name Alfa Travel Blog dot com
Business Incorporation: Nov 2019
Payment Platforms: GooglePay
Why Start a Travel Agency?
One thing is certain, it is a fact that the travels and tourism industry is not all about tourists but also about all those who travel from one country to another, from one city to another for various purposes and with the help of traveling agencies. This is why any investor or entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the travels and tourism industry should consider starting a travel agency.
The line of business (travel agency) is open to both big time investors who have the financial capacity to invest in the travel and tourism industry and also aspiring entrepreneurs who just want to make a living but don’t have start – capital. As a matter of fact aspiring entrepreneurs who don’t have start – up capital can start out as freelance travel agents if they are diligent enough, they can build a big and well organized traveling agency.
Simply put, travel agencies render services that cover all aspect of traveling. They help their clients in securing visas (especially transit visas), purchase flight tickets, book hotels, book taxi cabs and bus shuttle services and of course make arrangement for site seeing amongst other services.
They work in conjunction with service providers such as airline companies, car rentals companies, cruise lines companies, hotels, railways, tourist sites managers and perhaps interpreters and security agencies (supply of bodyguards et al for celebrities and other VIP clients).
So if you are looking towards starting a business in the travels and industry, then one of your best options is to start a travel agency. It is a cool way of making money from the industry and with little start-up capital, a serious minded entrepreneur can successfully launch this type of business.
How Do Travel Agencies Make Money?
The norm in this industry is that travel agencies make their money via commission they get by offering travel related services such as booking for flight tickets, securing transit visas, booking for shuttle buses/taxi cabs, car rentals, hotel bookings, and cruise line bookings amongst many other services.
Travel agencies also generate incomes from the selling of traveling related insurance policy cover, sale of travel guide books and through the sale of foreign currencies.
Lastly, one good thing about travel agencies is that there is a readily available market for their services simply because people would always have cause to move or travel from one destination to another be it local travels or international travels.
Our Product and Services
Our business offering are listed below;
Travels and consulting and advisory services for individuals and corporate clients
Selling of traveling related insurance policy cover, sale of travel guide books and through the sale of foreign currencies.
Booking for flight tickets
Securing transit visas
Booking for shuttle buses/taxi cabs
Car rental services
Hotel bookings
Cruise line bookings
Our Vision Statement
Our vision is to build a travel and agency brand that will become the number one choice for both individual clients and corporate clients in the whole of Asia. Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, excellence, and teamwork.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide professional and trusted travels and services that assist individuals, corporate organization and non-profit organizations in organizing all of their travels and. We are to position the business to become the leading brand in the travels and line of business in the whole of Nevada, and also to be amongst the top 20 travels and agency in the United States of India within the first 10 years of operations.
Our Business Structure
Alfa Travels will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our business. We will ensure that we hire competent hands to help us build the business of our dream. The fact that we want to become one of the leading travels and agencies in the United States makes it highly necessary to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.
Below is the business structure that we will build AlfaTravels ;
Chief Executive Officer
Travels and Consultant
Marketing and Sales Executive
Chief Executive Officer :
Responsible for providing direction for the firm
Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
Responsible for handling high profile clients and deals
Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
Evaluates the success of the organization
Reports to the board
Travels and Consultant
Responsible for booking for flight tickets, securing transit visas, booking for shuttle buses / taxi cabs, car rentals, hotel bookings and cruise line bookings amongst many other travels and related services for clients
Plan, design and produce events while managing all project delivery elements within time limits
Liaise with clients to identify their needs and to ensure customer satisfaction
Conduct market research, gather information and negotiate contracts prior to closing any deals
Provide feedback and periodic reports to stakeholders
Propose ideas to improve provided services and tourism quality
Ensure compliance with insurance, legal, health and safety obligations
Cooperate with marketing and PR to promote and publicize travels and events
Conduct pre- and post – travels and events evaluations and report on outcomes
Research market, identify travels and opportunities and generate interest
Admin and HR Manager
Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
Design job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
Carrying out staff induction for new team members
Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
Oversee the smooth running of the daily office activities.
Marketing and Sales Executive
Responsible for selling of traveling related insurance policy cover, sale of travel guide books and through the sale of foreign currencies.
Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
Develop, execute and evaluate new plans for expanding increase sales
Document all customer contact and information
Represent the company in strategic meetings
Help increase sales and growth for the company
Accountant
Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
Provides management with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
Responsible for financial forecasting and risk analysis.
Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
Responsible for administering payrolls
Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
Handles all financial transactions for the company
Serves as an internal auditor for the company
Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer
Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provide the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns, etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients
Receives parcels/documents for the company
Distribute mails in the organization
Handles any other duties as assigned by the line manager
Travel Agency Business Plan – SWOT Analysis
AlfaTravels engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist the firm in building a well – structured journey and agency that can favorably compete in the highly competitive travels and industry.
Part of what the team of business consultants did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for AlfaTravels. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Alfa Travels
Strength:
Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that are trained and equipped to pay attention to details. We are well-positioned and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our doors for business.
Weakness:
As a new travels and agency, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from corporate clients in the already saturated travels and industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.
Opportunities:
The opportunities in the travels and industry is massive considering the number of individuals, families and corporate organizations who travels on a daily basis within the United States and to other parts of the world. As an all – round travels and agency, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.
Threat:
Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a travels and agency operating in the United States are unfavorable government policies, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects purchasing / spending power. There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.
Travel Agency Business Plan – MARKET ANALYSIS
Market Trends
A common trend in the travels and industry is that in recent time, with the advent of the internet and the general public accessing the Internet, many airline companies have started selling their tickets directly to their target market via their online portal.
So also, it is now easier for other business in the value chain of travels and industry to now directly sell their services via their online portal to their target market. Service providers such as airline companies, car rentals companies, cruise lines companies, hotels, railways, tourist sites managers and perhaps interpreters and security agencies et al. which is why you can’t find any airline company paying commissions to travel agents on each ticket they sold.
The travels and industry is in a continuous state of evolution and as such, ground breaking strategies and ideas that are once highly successful are no longer as productive as they were in time past. Close observation of the trend in the industry reveals that the past few years have seen the rise and proliferation of social media and new tech tools. The trend also extends to increased attention paid to engagement and new market segments, adopting eco-friendly measures and sustainability when planning travels and events.
As a matter of fact, social media has now become one of the most important tools travels and agencies leverage on to disseminate information about their travels and events, interact with clients, solicit feedback, and create year-round engagement with their target audience. Furthermore, new software apps and emerging technology have made it easier for travel and agencies to gather all the needed data and information that will help them plan and project for the future.
People that start travel agency can as a matter of fact start the business from a small office space / shared office space and still make headway in the business. One thing is certain when it comes to travel agency business, you are sure of making profits in form of commissions when you are able to successfully book flight tickets, hotel reservation, taxi cab reservation and any other travel related services for a client. You are going to get your cut as soon as they make payment.
The truth is that, the cost of running a travel agency can be kept to the barest minimum because there are always ways you can cut operational and overhead cost. As a matter of fact, most people that run travel agencies have abandoned the “brick and mortar” agency for a home-based business just for the sole aim of reducing overhead, and maximizing profits.
Our Target Market
The demographic and psychographics composition of travel agencies cuts across people from all works of life; there is no clear distinction on those that would naturally need the services of travel agencies. Although a travel agency might decide to concentrate on high – income earning clients, and another travel agency might only concentrate on corporate clients. The bottom line is that anyone that can afford to travel from one country to another is a potential client for travel agencies.
Although AlfaTravels will initially serve small to medium sized business, from new ventures to well established businesses and individual clients, but that does not in any way stop us from growing to be able to compete with the leading travels and agencies in the United States.
As an all – round travels and agency, AlfaTravels offers a wide range of services hence we are well trained and equipped to services a wide range of clientele base.
Our target market cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life, local and international organizations as well. We are coming into the industry with a business concept that will enable us work with the highly placed people and companies in the country and at the same with the lowly placed people and smaller businesses.
Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically design our products and services for;
Potential Couples / Young Adults
Blue Chips Companies
Corporate Organizations
Religious Organizations (Pilgrimage journeys et al)
Political Parties / Politicians
Households / Families
The Government (Public Sector)
Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
Sport Organizations
Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups
Our Competitive Advantage
The level of competitions in the travel agency line of business depends largely on the location of the business and of course the niche of your travel agency. If you can successfully create a unique brand identity for your travel agency or carve out a unique market, you are likely going to experience less competition.
For instance if you are one of the few travel agency in your country or state that handles pilgrimage travels, you are show going to be making constant mega box year after year. This is so because religious faithful are always traveling for pilgrimage journey annually.
Although the competition in the travel agency line of business is not just within travel agencies but also other travel related service providers. For example, it is now easier for you a traveler to book his or her hotel accommodation, book flight ticket, reserve taxi cab or rent car ahead of his journey from the comfort of his or her home with the aid of the internet simply because most of the service provider are by – passing travel agencies and taking their services directly to their target market.
We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the travels and industry means that we should be able to deliver consistent quality service, our clients should be able to experience remarkable difference cum improvement and we should be able to meet the expectations of both travelers / tourists and our partners (services providers).
AlfaTravels might be a new entrant into the travels and industry in the United States of India, but the management staffs and owners of the business are considered gurus. They are people who are core professionals and licensed and highly qualified travels and experts in the United States. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.
Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups travels and agencies) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.
Travel Agency Business Plan – SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
We are mindful of the fact that there are stiffer competition amongst travels and agencies and other related service providers in the United States of India, hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing.
Our sales and marketing team will be recruited base on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization. We will also ensure that our excellent job deliveries speak for us in the market place; we want to build a standard travels and business that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).
Our goal is to grow our travels and agency to become one of the top 20 travels and agencies in the United States of India which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the Las Vegas but also in other cities in the United States of India.
AlfaTravels is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;
Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, schools, households and key stake holders in Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada.
Promptness in bidding for travels and contracts from the government, religious organizations and other cooperate organizations
Advertise our business in relevant travels and magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
Attend relevant international and local travel and expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver quality services to them
Leverage on the internet to promote our business
Engage direct marketing approach
Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients
Sources of Income
AlfaTravels is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the travels and industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis and sign retainer – ship with most of our clients.
AlfaTravels will generate income by offering the following travels and services for individuals and for corporate organizations;
Travels and consulting and advisory services for individuals and corporate clients
Selling of traveling related insurance policy cover, sale of travel guide books and through the sale of foreign currencies.
Booking for flight tickets
Securing transit visas
Booking for shuttle buses / taxi cabs
Car rental services
Hotel bookings
Cruise line bookings
Sales Forecast
One thing is certain; there would always be individuals, families and corporate organizations that would travel on a daily basis within the United States and to other parts of the world.
Our Pricing Strategy
The norm in this industry is that, travel agencies make their money via commission they get by offering traveling related services such as booking for flight tickets, securing transit visas, booking for shuttle buses / taxi cabs, car rentals, hotel bookings and cruise line bookings amongst many other services.
Travel agencies also generate incomes from selling of traveling related insurance policy cover, sale of travel guide books and through the sale of foreign currencies.
At AlfaTravels we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises.
We are aware that there are some clients that would need regular access to travels and consultancy and advisory services and assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such clients’ needs.
Payment Options
At AlfaTravels , our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;
Payment by via bank transfer
Payment via online bank transfer
Payment via check
Payment via bank draft
Payment with cash
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.
Travel Agency Business Plan – Publicity and Advertising Strategy
We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market. We are set to take the travels and industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our travels and agencies.
Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise AlfaTravels ;
Place adverts on both electronic media platforms
Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
Engage in road show from time to time
Travel Agency Business Plan – Financial Projections and Costing
Starting a travel and agency can be cost effective; this is so because on the average, you are not expected to acquire expensive machines and equipment. Basically what you should be concerned about is the amount needed to secure a standard office facility in a good and busy business district, the amount needed to furniture and equip the office, the amount to purchase the required software applications, the amount needed to pay bills, promote the business and obtain the appropriate business license and certifications.
This is the financial projection and costing for starting AlfaTravels ;
The Total Fee for incorporating the Business –
The budget for basic insurance policy covers, permits and business license –
The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) –
The Cost for equipping the office (computers, software applications, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) –
The cost for purchase of the required software applications –
The Cost of Launching your official Website –
Budget for paying at least one employees for 3 months plus utility bills –
Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) –
Miscellaneous:
Generating Funding / Startup Capital for AlfaTravels
AlfaTravels is a family business that will be owned by Alfaand family. They are the sole financial of the firm, but may likely welcome partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.
These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;
Travel Agency BUSINESS GROWTH: Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
It is easier for businesses to survive when they have steady flow of business deals / customers patronizing their products and services. We are aware of this which is why we have decided to offer a wide range of event planning and other related services to both individual and corporate clients.
We know that if we continue to deliver excellent travels and services, there will be steady flow of income for the organization.
Our key sustainability and expansion strategy is to ensure that we only hire competent employees, create a conducive working environment and employee benefits for our staff members. In the nearest future, we will explore the options of either selling out franchise or expanding our scope beyond Las Vegas – Nevada to other major cities in the United States of India.
We know that if we implement our business strategies, we will achieve our business goals and objectives in record time.
Check List / Milestone
Business Name Availability Check: In Progress
Business Incorporation: Completed In Progress
Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks In Progress
Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed In Progress
Conducting Feasibility Studies: CompletedIn Progress
Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
Writing of Business Plan: Completed In Progress
Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
Recruitment of employees: In Progress
Purchase of the Needed software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress
