Any idea why people want to know how to start a travel agency in dubai?
Well. The answer is pretty simple. Travelling in Dubai is expanding every day. Being a global hub for business and tourism, Dubai has already secured its berth among the global travellers.
Hence, the travelling business in Dubai is booming. If you can follow the rules and regulations of the UAE, effortlessly, you can set up your own travel agency.
However, the process is not so smooth. You have to cross a number of barriers and face challenges. Overcoming the obstacles will lead you toward success.
Unfortunately, many of the entrepreneurs lack the idea on how to start a travel agency business in dubai. Not to worry. This post is watching your back.
Here, you will get a complete guide with steps for starting your venture.
Let’s start exploring together and enhance the knowledge realm.
Set your travel agency business model in Dubai
This is the first task. Many of the entrepreneurs skip this step and try to jump into the business. If they were aware of the facts and figures, the entire business setup process could have been easier.
So, you need to decide if you are planning to provide tour services to the travellers inside the city or outside the country.
For further clarification, you can start your business as an inbound tour service provider. Under this model, you will provide tour and guide services to people and travellers who want to visit Dubai.
On the other part, you can start your business with the model of providing tour and guide services for visiting out of the city or out of the UAE. Under this model, you can offer tour packages and service to your intended clients.
Also, you can set the third module which will provide some tailored packages to your clients. It could be a corporate tour package or an online platform for arranging customized tours, among others.
However, for the most suitable one for our clients, we can provide an effective and time-befitting guideline.
Set your zone for travel agency in dubai
So, you want to know how to start a travel agency in dubai, and scrolling down the post, right?
Thank you for your patience.
This is the second step you need to adhere to. After selecting your business model, where will you run the business? You will need to have a space to operate it. You have to register your travel agency in Dubai or UAE.
There are two suitable places in Dubai for such businesses. The mainland and the free zone.
Note that each of the jurisdictions have their respective features, flexibility and limitations.
If you are registering your business in the mainland, you will get the opportunity to run your business across the city and the UAE. You will have the capacity to reach local and international tourists. You can make more deals.
However, the establishment cost may be higher, while you have to invest some more than your budget.
On the contrary, the Dubai free zone has a simpler process with a lower cost. But you may not have the features of having a full agency here.
Apply for the travel agency license in dubai
If you are prepared with your business type and jurisdiction, now it is time to apply for a license.
Make sure you have a complete business model that you can explain for licensing. Also, you need to have some market research about the model and make the final decision prior to applying for the license.
Get a complete operational plan and strategy, marketing plan, risk management, safety requirement compliance, among others, based on the structure of your UAE travel agency.
Next, reserve a name. Ensure the name suits your travel business and complies with the local rules and regulations. Also make sure that you have a unique name for the business.
If you are having a tourism agency, you may need several approval and licenses. They are as follows:
– Tourism license from the DET
– Ticketing approval
– Tour guide approval
The documents
To obtain the license, you will need to have the following documents:
– Your application form (filled in)
– Your passport copy
– Police clearance certificate
– Office space rental documents
– Banking information
– License fee payment documents/ receipts
Also Read: How to get audit license in Dubai
Recruitment for the travel agency in Dubai
Now, you know how to start a travel agency business in dubai. All your preparations are complete. So, you need to start the operation.
However, you need some staff to run your business. In fact, you alone cannot manage everything. So, you need to hire a couple of employees for your business.
The tourism regulation in Dubai is strict. If you hire a manager or a staff member for the business, the member should have the minimum qualifications.
If you hire a manager for the business, the manager should hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Otherwise, s/he would not be considered to work in that position in Dubai. At the same time, the manager should have at least three years of practical professional experience.
However, the regulations are a bit relaxed for the staff members. They need to be competent enough in daily operations for the business. These include ticket reservations for the clients, planning trips, visa processing and providing smart customer services.
Bank account and transactions for uae travel agency
As you operate a travel agency, your transactions are not limited. You have to deal with numerous local and outbound transactions, handle clients, deal with airlines, hotels and other vendors, and keep a transparent financial record, among others.
Thereby, it is important to continue the transactions with a bank account, especially a corporate bank account.
The practical tip for opening a bank account is to select a reputed and experienced bank. Dealing with experienced banks will allow you a number of flexibility. Also, they will realize the international or cross-border transactions and their types.
Hence, select the right bank and open the account.
Professional Networking for travel agency in Dubai
Without expanded professional networking, it becomes tough to run a travel agency in Dubai.
Why?
Because if you do not have a wider network, you will not have the desired level or number of tourists.
It is important to have a strong network with other travel agencies and travel operators, airlines, hotels, restaurants, reservation partners, transport service providers, immigration officials, among others.
When you have the network, you will have an extra level of confidence. It will be easier to negotiate with your clients. At the same time, you can offer some additional or complementary service, which will add more value to your travel service agency.
Besides, for both inbound and outbound trips, you have the strength to negotiate with other agencies and clients.
What’s your marketing strategy?
You are operating a travel agency in Dubai. Therefore, you need a smart and strong marketing strategy to run the business.
The key benefit of a smart marketing strategy is that it will help you expand your services and grow your business. Your online presence will help spread your business, raise awareness about your service and reach the audience.
Usually, our expert business counsellors recommend adapting both digital and traditional marketing. Using digital marketing, you can establish your online presence–as this is the age of digitalization.
On the other side, the traditional marketing will reach some other people who consider them as old school.
As part of digital marketing, a dynamic website—that suits all platforms—will explain your services and offers. Simultaneously, traditional marketing like participating in trade shows, and exhibitions will build direct relationships with your intended audience.
Tips that others won’t tell you about travel and tourism companies in UAE
Here are some practical issues that you need to consider for travel and tourism companies in UAE.
- Keep no hidden costs
- Make a strong marketing plan
- Get a suitable location
- Have a moderate cancellation policy
- Select tourist-friendly areas
- Build your reputation
- Provide the right information
- Have a solid booking system
- Track your growth
- Remain updated about rules and regulations
- Build partnerships
Our specialties
If you want to know how to start a travel agency business in dubai, we are your constant partner in the journey.
We ensure our clients can get the opportunity to establish their travel agency business in Dubai with less effort. So, we provide a remarkable number of essential services to our global clientele.
We start the journey with preparing the business model type, collecting necessary documents for our clients to obtain the licenses, and get the licenses approved from the Dubai authorities.
Initially, we conduct an assessment of our clients’ overall condition, eligibility, background, financial strengths and much more.
Moreover, we also help them select their business region and establish a standard office, help to reach the intended clients, and if necessary, train them in the business operation process.
In fact, unless you have global connectivity, you are unable to start the business. And even if you can start, the operation of the business will take you to hot water.
But we are there to remove all the legal or document-related barriers, make an effective strategy and help to comply with the local regulations for a smooth business start.
End note
If you are in trouble about how to start a travel agency in dubai, feel free to reach out to us. Our experts will help navigate through the entire process.
We plan your business and implement the steps to materialize it with solid business plans while you can relax.
As a professional business consultant, we offer premium service to our clients. For any sort of queries, make an appointment today.
Make your travel business journey exciting with us.
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