HOW TO START A TRAVEL AGENCY BUSINESS IN NIGERIA AND MAKE MONEY

Travel agent or agency  is one of the fastest growing and lucrative businesses in Nigeria. As a travel agent or agency, you will help prepare traveling Services for your clients and get paid.

One thing I like most about the business is the variety of product lines ranging from visa processing, hotel and flight reservation, tour guide to foreign admission processing etc. If one doesn't bring you money at a moment another one must, another thing is, it does not require much startup capital to establish your agency. You can as well become a freelance travel agent with only your mobile phone and computer and start earning.

To book any flight of your choice right from your comfort zone, CLICK HERE

   WHAT IS TRAVEL AGENCY? 

Travel agency is an organization that organizes traveling Services or packages and tour for individuals, group and businesses etc. These organizations are familiar with different travel routes and destinations, transportation means,  customs of the localities, weather conditions, best tourist attractions as well as thier governments and security.

  

     WHO IS A TRAVEL AGENT? 

A travel agent is an individual who processes traveling Services or packages for clients and get paid. Travel agent works under travel agency or works directly between clients and airlines, hotels, foreign embassies, car rentals etc. In most cases, travel agents  owned travel agencies.

  WHAT IS FREELANCE TRAVEL AGENT? 

Freelance travel agent are individuals who act as middlemen between clients and travel agencies. They partner with travel agencies and get paid when closes a deal. This is the best method to gain enough experience if you intend to own a travel agency. As a freelance travel agent, you can work from your comfort zone.

WHAT SERVICES DO TRAVEL AGENTS/AGENCIES PROVIDE? 

Travel agent/Agency provide the following Services for thier clients;

1. Visa processing

2. Hotel reservation or booking

3. Flight reservation or booking

4. Foreign admission processing

5. Travel counselling or consulting

6. Selling events tickets outside the country

7. Tour guide

  

Do you know you can stay at home and book your best hotel in any part of the world? CLICK HERE

   REASONS PEOPLE NEED THE SERVICE OF TRAVEL AGENTS/AGENCIES

1. The save client' time and stress

2. They have better and more access

3. They provide recommendations and expert advice

4. They have deep knowledge of travel and tour

5. They are perfect for group booking

         WAYS TRAVEL AGENTS/AGENCIES MAKE MONEY

Travel agents/agencies sub charge thier clients by offering them the following Services;

1. Visa processing

The process of obtaining visa is tedious, time consuming and those who applied directly are misled  most times which could result in lost of money. This is where your service is needed. As an agent, you are expected to have many access and good knowledge of visa processing. You could charge your clients handsomely for your assistance with visa processing.

2. Hotel reservation or booking

Those who are traveling for the first time usually have many questions that needed answers; what is the best or affordable hotels to lodge?, What is the proximity of the hotel to airport or thier destinations? Those that travel frequently also might need reservations in the hotel of thier choices before it's filled up. You can help book hotels for your clients and get paid.

3. Flight reservation or booking

Those who are occupied by thier businesses or other activities might need your service to by flight tickets for them and you will get paid.

4. Foreign admission processing

Students that have intention of studying abroad might need your service to help them gain admission. You can sub charge them your desired amount for your services.

5. Travel counselling or consulting

As a traveling counselor, you will give important advice to your clients e.g the cheapest airlines, the best tours, affordable hotels, types and best  transportation means, foriegn languages, weather conditions, foods, cultures, schools and many more.

6. Tour guide

You can organize best attractions of tour areas e.g seaside, zoo, parks, mountains for those who enjoy spending holidays, vacations, excursions, events  and you will get paid.

7. Selling tickets abroad

You can sell tickets for those who intend to travel abroad for events e.g football fans that would like to watch thier favorite clubs, players, national team play live and music fans that intend to watch thier favorite international music superstars perform live on stage as well as wrestling, boxing and other events.

To earn money as a travel agent affiliate, CLICK HERE

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO START YOUR TRAVEL AGENCY BUSINESS

1. Training

Starting a business you know nothing about is like testing the river with both legs. To avoid frustrations and disappointment, it's advisable to learn the skills in order to gain necessary knowledge and experience. It's better you start as an affiliate or partnership with existing traveling agency, you can as well choose to run an internship program or work voluntarily in any Traveling agency.  It will enable you to know in and out of the business to manage your own effectively.

2. Meeting the financial requirements

You don't need much to start your travel agency Business. At least, you must have a good phone, good network connection, computers, office space, office chairs, printer, table and few employees etc. As the business grows, you can add more hands and gadgets.

3. Conduct a feasibility studies 

The feasibility studies will help you gain insights of the business, it will enable you to evaluate the profit potentials, return on investment, cost and risk associated with the business, financial requirements of the business, documents needed before kicking off the business etc. This are some of the reasons it's advisable to start as an affiliate, freelancer, or internship to have sufficient knowledge of the business.

4. Choosing an organization for your business

Choose a legal form of organization for your business e.g sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability companies. You have to consider advantages and disadvantages of each form of business ownership and thier requirements before selecting the right one for you travel agency.

5. Deciding the name for the business

Choose a simple name that can easily be pronounced and recognisable for your business. Let the name be capable to describe your business e.g longerthroat ( an advetising agency) or shindy travel ( a Travel agency). A business name speaks a lot about a business.

6. Registering your travel agency

Apply to CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC)

for registration and collection of certificate. To run a successful business in Nigeria, you must register your company. (Contact us at Info.longerthroat@gmail.com let's help you get your agency registered)

To book flights at cheaper rate, you must register and obtain license from IATA, it will also expose your business to more opportunities and protection as well as enable you accessing IATA data base.

To learn more about IATA registration, visit the website at www.iata.org

7. Write a Business plan

Start your traveling agency with a well prepared business plan. The business plan will help to guide the operation of your business, state clear vision and mission statement and align your business to the plan. You can prepare daily, weekly monthly or yearly business plan, you can as well prepare marketing plan, human resource plan, you can also integrate the whole plan in one single business plan.

8. Start organizing or mobilizing

After all the requirements listed above are been considered and obtained, commence your business operations. At this stage, you are expected to choose the right location, equipped your office with office gadgets, employ competent hands, open a business bank account and start to promote your business.

9. Promote your business 

We all know the power of social media these days. Set up professional social media business page or account and run consistent ads. Tell people about your business, never feel reluctant to advertise your agency business. 

Terms in traveling services 

These are some of the common terms used in traveling. Get conversant to them so that you will always sound professional. 

1. Consolidator:  a business that has contracts with airlines to sell tickets in bulk generally at a discounted rate. 
2. Class: seating arrangement arranged for travelers. These arrangements attract certain fare and they enjoy specific things such as foods, drinks etc
3. First class: the class which offers the most premium or prestigious services. Enhance seating, meal selection, drink selection etc. 
4. Waiver: a written acknowledgement that a passenger has declined something 
5. Tour operator: an individual which operates group travel program that provides a complete travel experience for one price. This includes transportation ( airline, rail, Motorcoah and ship), accommodation, sightseeing, selected media and escorts. 
6.  Business class: seating arrangement that falls between first class and coach. 
7. Cancelation penalty: a fee charged customers for canceling their flights after reservation. 
8. Exclusive fare: discounted air fares offered by consolidator. 
9. Base fare: it's the cost of an air fare before addition of fees such as taxes or surchages. 
10. Boarding pass: a ticket issued at airport check-in  which authorizes airplane boarding 
11. Bulk contract: an agreement which allows airline sell large block of seats at a discount for resale by a third-party 
12. Bulk fars: a reduced fare for a purchase of large number of tickets. 
13. Business travel : a travel for commercial, educational or governmental reasons 
14. Carrier: any provider of mass transportation usually used in reference to an airline. 
15. Chatter group: a group travel for custom itinerary. 
16. Itinerary: an established line of travel or access. 
17. Transit: journey 
18. Tariff: rates of fare quoted and established by a travel industry suppliers such as hotels, tour operators.
19. Press trip : a trip organized for travel writers and broadcasters to get them exposed to tourist destinations in order to develop accurate stories 
20. Passenger facility charge : an additional fee of the use of an airport 
21. Published fare: a fare offered for immediate purchase. This does not concern consolidation. 
22. Fam tour: a trip organized for travel agents, tour guides, tour whosalers and other menbers of travel trade for the purpose of educating and familiarizing them with tourist destinations. This is done to expose them to tourist attractions in order to answer customers' questions correctly. 
23. Feeder airport or city: an outline city which feed travelers to hubs or gataway cities 
24. Advance purchase requirements: a ticket must be purchased within a minimum numbers of day before the flight departs
25. Economy : the cheapest class that enjoys less premiums 
26. Tour wholesaler: an individual or company that sells tour products to travel agents 
27. Group rate: negotiated hotel rate for conventions, trade shows, meetings, tour or incentive groups 
28. Corporate agency: a travel agency that usually carter's to medium and large size businesses 
29. Net fare or net rate: the total price of a fare including commissions charged a client 
30. No show: when a traveler  doesn't come for a hotel, flight or car rental reservations
31. Non-stop: a flight that travels directly to its destination 
32. Leisure travel: travel for vacation or relaxation 
33. Lowest available fare:  the most inexpensive flight currently available 
34. Maximum stay : the longest period of time a traveler can stay at a particular destination and still qualify for the promotion or discounted rate
35. Layover: the period of time spent between connecting flights 
36. Occupancy rate: the proportion of reservations expected during any given time 
37. Off-peak: a period of time that is less expensive to travel as a result of low consumer volume 
38. Package: a fixed price for travel products that make it easy for a traveler a destination or several destinations including transportation, accommodation, feeding etc. 
39. Land arrangement: all non flying reservations upon arrival such as car rental, hotel and tourist reservation 
40. Hub: a city in which an airline has major presence or where an airline is formed 
41. AITAN: (international airline travel agent network) An association for international travel agents 
42. Interline connection: a trip with a connection flight from a different airline 
43. Incentive travel: travel offered as a reward for top performance and the business that develops markets and operates these programs. 

Conclusion

Travel services or agency business is a business that can fetch you millions of naira, you can start as an affiliate, partnership or work for any existing travel agency to get exposed.  You should also consult experts, ask questions and read blog post and books that deal with travel services. 

You do not need much capital to kick off, with a good working phone or system, you are good to go. The most important thing is to gain experience. Build a strong network and keep promoting your business. 

I hope this is helpful! 

ALSO READ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

ALSO READ:HOW TO START UP AN ADVERTISING AGENCY IN NIGERIA

ALSO READ: HOW TO MAKE CUSTOMERS PATRONIZE YOU ( FIVE PROVEN STRATEGIES)

 

      

PORT HARCOURT ZOOLOGICAL PARK

 Welcome to Port Harcourt zoological park,

Port Harcourt is the capital and largest city of Rivers State, it is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Benin city, it's the third most developed city in the country after Lagos and FCT Abuja. Port Harcourt hosts majority of oil drilling and producing firms like shell, Chevron etc. The city lies along the Bonny River and it's located in the oil rich Niger Delta.

Port Harcourt has one of the iconic zoo in Nigeria, the zoo hosts different species of animals like Tortoise, Peacock, Crocodiles, chemically preserved Lion and Lioness, Eagle, Monkeys, Chimpanzee and Horse. Some of the activities include animal watching and horseback riding.

Tortoise

This tortoise is 60 year old. It has a strong shell that's capable of carrying and moving with 2year old baby. It feeds on carrot and other vegetables.

Peacock

This bird is called Peacock, it's one of the finest and expensive birds on Earth. The feathers are used by royalties and other dignitaries in the society, the feathers are very expensive and are used for decoration or beautification. They feed on grains. during mating, the female one fling her feathers opened and make cocky noise to attract the male.

Lion

This lion is well preserved with a chemical and can last for a long period of time. The male one is called lion, female is called lioness while the baby one is called Curb.

Port Harcourt zoological park is a nice place to visit. They are other animals which are not captured here.

TRIPOLI, CAPITAL CITY OF LIBYA

 

🔴 Profiling Tripoli,  Libya 🇱🇾  

Tripoli is the largest city in Libya and serves as the country's political and administrative center. Here are some key points about Tripoli:

1. Location: Tripoli is located in the northwestern part of Libya, along the Mediterranean coast.

2. History: Tripoli is one of the oldest cities in the region, with a history dating back to the 7th century BC. It has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs.

3. Architecture: Tripoli is known for its historic architecture, including the Old City (Medina) with its narrow streets, traditional buildings, and historic mosques and markets.

4. Economy: Tripoli is an important economic center in Libya, with a focus on industries such as oil refining, finance, and services.

5. Culture: The city has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean cultures. Traditional music, art, and cuisine are important aspects of Tripoli's cultural scene.

6. Tourism: Tripoli is a popular tourist destination, known for its historic sites, museums, and beautiful beaches. However, political instability in Libya in recent years has impacted tourism in the region.

HOW TO SELL OR MARKET YOUR PRODUCT

Marketing means the activities of a business to ensure continues flow of goods and services from the point of production to the point of consumption. Marketing is a broad term, it ranges from physical distribution, merchandizing and promotion. However, For the purpose of this post we emphasised on  promotion.

Listed below are the eight (8) ways you can market/sell your product

1. Personal selling

2. Advertising

3. Sales promotion

4. Word-of-mouth

5. Branding

6. Packaging

7. public relation

8. Publicity

Let's look at how you can achieve your marketing/selling objectives with the following mentioned above.

1. Personal selling 

Personal selling refers to a direct contact between a seller and buyers for an exchange to take place.

Personal selling could occur on the internet, face to face, presentations, messages and phone calls.

For you to market/sell your product, try to locate your prospective customers either in thier offices, schools, religion centres, market places, Houses, public gatherings etc. Prepare yourself to present your product accurately. Explain to them how your product can help solve thier problems or satisfy thier needs and what makes your product better than others.

Personal selling will help you to understand your customer and how you can serve them better.

2. Advertising

Advertising means informing the public about an existence of a product, educating them on how to use the product, persuading them to buy the product, telling them how the product is better than others and/or reminding them about a product through paid media.

For you to market and increase your sales, locate an advertising agency that is willing to offer you affordable services. They are expert in this field that can design effective advertising campaigns for you. Also given the job to them will help save you from unnecessary spending, stress, errors and wasting of time.

However, if you decide to do the job by yourself, these are the advertising media you can place your product.

*Television; local television are cheaper than national television, it will also help you to reach your prospective customers within your limit. 

*News papers; news papers are also relatively cheap depending on the advertising space you intend to cover.

*Magazines; magazines are the best media to advertise products that are perculiar to your industry e.g advertising sport wears on sport magazines.

*Radio; radio is very cheap, it covers wide audience and can even Broadcast in different languages.

*Posters/ banners/calenders/handbills; print quality designs and distribute to your prospective customers.

*Internet ( social media, websites etc); internet is one of the best, simple and cost effective way to market your product. You can locate IT experts to setup social media pages, website and run advertising campaigns for you, you can also do the ones you know how to do by yourself. Locate bloggers to advertise your product for you as well

* Other ways of advertising your product include; T-shirt, caps, nylon leathers, journals, cinemas, sign post, Billboards, church bulletins etc.

3. SALES PROMOTION

Sales promotion means using some techniques to stimulate sales. E.g

*Organizing a context; (Nigerian idol, Maltina dance, Gulder ultimate search) are examples of context organized by big firms. You can organize for your product as well.

*Sample; given free products to prospective customers to test.

*Discount sales; Given discount sales can help increase your sales

*Given credit sales; is a way of marketing your product too

*Sponsorship;  sponsoring live events and programs can help increase your sales too

*Trade shows;  showcasing your product In public places and trading programs will also help market your product.

*Premium; buy one get one free, given bonus/jara to your customers is a good way of marketing your product too.

4. WORD-OF-MOUTH

When you give maximum satisfaction to your customers, they will help spread the good news. They will tell thier friends, relations, colleagues, class/course mates, members etc. 

5. BRANDING 

It means specific attributes given to a product that distinguishes it from others e.g name, design, label, trademark, logo, symbols etc.

It will help customers to easily locate and remember your product.

6. PACKAGING

It means to develop containers/sachets for a product.

Design simple, versatile, safe and attractive packages for your product. They contribute to a product quality and also help to attract prospective buyers.

7. PUBLIC RELATIONS

It means a deliberate effort established by a business to create and maintain good relationship, good image and reputation with his/her business environment such as customers, employees, government agencies, competitors, community and suppliers etc. All these things will help to market and increase your product sales

8. PUBLICITY

It means any information about a product or business distributed to the general public through media and it not paid for.

This one must not be too effective for your small business at this stage but you can try it too. Media might not be interested in publishing what they are not gaining much or not gaining at all from.

Study the write up closely, practice what you studied and it will help your business to grow. 

I hope this is helpful!

WELCOME TO OBUDU MOUNTAIN RESORTS,

Obudu mountain resorts,

Obudu mountain resorts is also known as Obudu cattle ranch. It's ones of the notable tourism in Nigeria located in Cross River State. The resort has cool weather condition, breathtaking scenarios, stunning landscapes and divers activities for visitors to enjoy.

Obudu mountain resorts is situated on the obudu plateau which has an average altitude of about 5,200 feet above seal level. It offers cool and temperate climate which is good for relaxing atmosphere.

The resorts host activities like hiking, horseback riding, car cable riding, bird watching and swimming ( resort out door pool) but on the edge of a cliff. 

The most popular way to access the resort is by riding on a cable car from mountain base to the top which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

Obudu mountain resort is one of the most popular tourist destination in Nigeria, it's known for it natural beauty, relaxing condition and outdoor adventure.

It's a place you would like to visit.

103 YEARS OLD WOMAN WHO WAITED FOR HER WHITE BOYFRIEND ALL HER LIFE

 

Dream of elusive love: Mariam Hussein, 103-year-old Tanzania woman who waited years to meet her white boyfriend

A 103-year-old Tanzanian woman identified as Mariam Hussein has narrated the lifelong story of love and patience detailing her deep affection for a white boyfriend named John, whom she failed to meet again after he left.

Hussein, who spoke with Afrimax’s English anchor, Simon Greenwood, in Swahili (translated to English) recently said she was convinced that her European boyfriend would find her soon so they could rekindle their love, but she ended up single and celibate all her life.

According to her, John was a young man full of adventure and kindness who had come to Tanzania seeking adventure.

“I met John, a young white man from Europe who had come to Tanzanian in search of adventure and purpose. I helped him navigate and settle comfortably into his new environment. Over time, our friendship blossomed into something more, to be honest, he was unlike anyone I have ever met his manners, stories, and kindness all fascinated me he respected my culture and showed genuine interest in my life and aspirations we spent countless hours envisioning a future filled with love and happiness I believed he was truly unique and indeed he was.

“Our relationship blossomed and I found myself falling deeply in love every moment we spent together made my feelings for him grow stronger, I could see that he loved me too, his eyes sparkled with genuine affection whenever he looked at me and his actions always showed his care and commitment.

“I love him back wholeheartedly and unconditionally because, for the first time in my life, it was all about love in its purest form we shared dreams, hopes and secrets together, building an unbreakable bond I also hoped that John would be the one to change my destiny I dreamt that he may take me away from the life of struggle I had always known and experienced with him I envisioned a future filled with endless possibilities free from the hardship that had defined my past he gave me hope that together we could build a new life full of love and happiness,” the woman said.

The woman, who has never married nor had children, stressed that her hopes were dashed when John abruptly received an urgent call to return to his village without bidding her farewell or explaining.

Devastated by his sudden disappearance, Hussein spent years searching for him, believing that he would someday return to fulfil their dreams.

“I was devastated I couldn’t believe he had disappeared initially. I considered the possibility of it being a prank or a test of my patience. I searched high and low for John desperately hoping for an explanation but he was nowhere to be found days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and still there was no trace of him months turned into years and yet I clung to believe that John would eventually return.

“I refused to accept the idea that he may not come back anytime soon despite the wonderful moments we had shared, I remained a virgin and made it my priority to maintain my purity…,”  she noted.

GEMBU (Nigeria tourist destination)

Welcome to Gembu,

Gembu town is located in Sarduna Local Government Area of Taraba State. It's the coldest town in Nigeria, it has beautiful landscapes and mountains views, the town is rich in agriculture and vibrant culture.

Gembu weather conditions

Gembu experience daytime temperature around 2/degree C, with temperature variations ranging from 11.7 degree C. to 27.8 degree C. It is rarely below 9.4 degree C or above 31.1degre C. It has a tropical climate with a cool season

One of the notable landmarks in Gembu is the Giangirwal mountain  which offers stunning views and it's a popular tourist destination.

Economic activities

The majority of Gembu residents practice agricultural activities as mainstream of thier economy and source of their livelyhood, they produce crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cattle rearing. They are into trading as well

Cultures and Traditions

The people of Gembu showcase thier rich heritage with colourful cultural festivals and events, they are heathwarming towards visitor, they have strong sense of belonging as they come together to celebrate and support one another when the need arises.

Gembu is a unique town with beautiful weather condition, views, value system, rich culture and Traditions, a place of relaxation and adventure, a town that you will never like to leave when visited. Indeed Gembu is one of the best tourist destination in Nigeria.

#tourismINnigera