Day 7: Investigating internet business options- Travel

Welcome back to BizLaunchBlog.com! Thanks for following me on my quest to launch and develop an online business as a gift for my wife. Share your advice, comment on a post and tell your friends... Peace, JMichael

There are a lot of travel-related businesses out there!

I am spending a great deal of time, thanks to you guys again, investigating a number of business opportunities.  You have been more than eager to share, even those of you who have nothing to profit from me and my new business.  And for that I thank you!

Just to keep you guys updated: A couple of days ago I said I would venture into the travel-related business search.  Well, I have been looking at several travel businesses.  I guess I should stop be so surprised about things but I was once again amazed at the sheer number of travel-related business opportunities on the web!  I am really digging into them and checking them out as thoroughly as I can.  Here are a some I have encountered:

1. YTB (aka Your Travel Business) - I like the approach this company takes as they actually tell you something upfront.  Here is a direct quote from the very first page on their corporate site: “The YTB companies offer two unique and powerful opportunities, that of referring travel agent or “RTA” and that of independent marketing representative or “REP”. The travel agent opportunity has an initial fee under $500 and a monthly license fee of $49.95. There is no fee or travel agency purchase required to be a REP. You may choose to participate in one or both opportunities.” I am actually spending some additional time on this one as one of our readers has provided me some good information.  Look for an update soon.
2. MOR Vacations - Sites referring to this travel-related business came up in my initial searches.  I decided to check out www.morvacations.com to find out info on their company.  The site that came up did not allow me to learn anything except that it is some sort of travel membership program.  Every time I clicked a link to learn more about their membership, affiliate opportunity or product information I received a message stating I needed to go through a sponsor before I could get the info.  Very frustrating… Hmmm….
3. Travelencia - An interesting network marketing business that focuses on selling a consumer benefits membership for discounted rates on travel.  You do not make money from the travel booked but you do make money from others joining as members.  There are residual earnings available here, which is a definite plus for me.
4. Coastal Vacations - Still checking this one out, unfortunately they make it difficult to check out.  It does say it is not network marketing but appears to be direct sales.  It seems start-up costs would be $1000 plus but I am not certain as all the Coastal Vacation sites I’ve bumped into don’t disclose that information unless you give them all your contact info first.  I even tried tried to search for a Coastal Vacations corporate site but was unable to find one.  Hmmmm….
5. Travel Quest - This is not a network marketing program.  Rather, you are set-up as an Independent Commissioned Travel Agent with Carlson Wagonlit Travel and you make all your income from booking travel.  It is relatively inexpensive to become a member: $199 start-up and then 3 commission plans from which to choose, 100% for $250/month, 80% commission for $20/month or 70% commission for $0/month!  I like this concept but I am thinking this may be a Phase 2 business for us.  Maybe after developing another one of these travel businesses we can move into this one.  There seems to be a steeper learning curve but it all sounds very exciting.

I came across this site as well in my research: NACTA - National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents  - This is directly from their website:

“NACTA, is the travel industry’s first and leading association for independent travel agents, cruise oriented agents, home based travel agents and outside sales travel agents. NACTA, Inc. is a 21 year-old association offering its travel agent members numerous benefits and services.”

They have a lot of information regarding working as and independent travel agent including a database of ‘hosts’ that you can partner with to do travel bookings for your clients.  Very cool stuff.

OK… I am a bit worn out.  Lot’s more to explore, study, research and dig through at this point.  Any input you might have would be appreciated!