I am considering satarting my own travel company from my home as it seems to be that travel is one thing that I truly love to do. I was wondering if there is anyone here that has this experience? <BR>Steve

Steve, <BR>I have no knowledge of operating an out of home travel company probably due to an overly cautious nature on my part. Negatives immediately come to mind. The travel business is linked heavily to the state of the economy. With the American and European economies currently in a funk, business travel is on the decline, airlines are reducing commissions even further and capping them at ridiculously low rates. The resources available on the internet to the independent traveler offer strong competition to the resources of a travel agent. You may love to travel but your style of travel may not be the same as a prospective client's. Have you the time, money and resources to become familiar with Parisian hotels ranging from a two to five star designation, for example, so you can properly and authoritatively recommend something meeting a client's budget and expectations? Will you be a first hand authority on accommodations, dining, transportation options or depend on second and third hand resources? Do you know the relative merits of international airlines from personal experience or hearsay? Far too many factors involved in setting up a successful travel company, soliciting and retaining business for my tastes. I love to travel, but on my terms to satisfy my tastes, not to anticipate the tastes and expectations of others. <BR>Unless my clients have tastes and budgets identical to my own, I can't count on them as repeat business. Travel company? - not my cup of tea! <BR>

Steve, It is feasible if you want it to be a hobby that may give you a small tax write-off. If you plan to make money at it then try something else.

What skills do you bring to the table other than your love of traveling? What training are you willing to undergo? How hard are you prepared to work?

A good friend who's been a travel agent for over 25 years started his own company about 5 years ago; he's making some money, which is better than 90% of travel agencies less than 5 years old. <BR> <BR>If you are planning to issue plane tickets, you'll have to have a printer, ticket stock and a safe. You will have to arrange accounts with various suppliers: airlines, cruiselines, raileurope, etc. You will have to have enough capital to pay for things up front before collecting from your clients. Clients cancel. <BR> <BR>You will need liability insurance, at least one 800 number, and be incorporated to protect your personal assets. You will need upfront money for business cards, envelopes, paper stock, letterhead, etc. <BR> <BR>Don't make the mistake "I'm doing it for friends so I won't need a lot of that business stuff". Oh yes you will. There are no "friends" in business; when money's involved, loyalties disappear. <BR> <BR>I do a lot of travel planning for friends, gratis, I map everything out and they make the reservations, buy the plane tickets, etc. I'm often told "oh you should do this for a living"; if I ever lost my mind, I would...and you can bet your sweet a*s that I'd cover mine...

Fastest way to kill a hobby is to try to make a living doing it.

Wow, not the reply's I was expecting. I was considering more a booking type service that featured a "hometown" type feel that specialised in linking people to the right travel deals on the net. There are so many good deals on the net that a lot of people arn't aware of or comfortavle with purchasing online. I became aware of this this summer when I booked a package through Go-today.com and at the time they were internet based only. I was pretty reluctant to do the whole deal online with never talking to a representative. I really don't want to make a fortune, maybe just develop a little business that will provide a living and opportunities to travel. Thanx all for your feedback. <BR>Steve

Bob--you can't get a "tax write-off" from something you consider to be a hobby. The only way you can match the expenses against any income is if you're operating a business with the purpose of producing a profit. It doesn't matter whether you actually do see a profit, but that has to be your intent. And yes, the IRS does have ways of proving your intent. <BR> <BR>Steve-if you're intent on starting a business, my advice would be to first contact a lawyer and a CPA. They will give you the advice you need to get started and protect yourself. It really doesn't cost as much as you think, and it will save you tons of money down the road. <BR> <BR>A lot of community colleges and cities offer classes in starting your own home-based business. I would also look into that. <BR> <BR>My other piece of advice: don't do this if you're depending on money from the business to survive during the first 3 years. Most new businesses do not make money until the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th year of operation. If you have other sources of income, great. Otherwise, you may want to just do this on the side.

What you intend to do for money sounds an awful lot like what many of the knowledgeable experienced trvelers who contribute to this forum do for free. For absolutely nothing they recommend deals they have found, critique hotels they've stayed in, provide itineraries and such like.