Inspired Travel Group is a full-service corporate travel agency servicing clients right the way across North America. Our people first approach to travel ensures only the highest levels of personalized, attentive service.
Are you an entrepreneur who wants to start a corporate travel agency in Canada? Then this blog post is for you!
As experts in the Canadian business travel industry, we gather valuable insights and guidance to help you start your own successful corporate travel agency in Canada. Let’s get started.
Today, corporate travel agencies play a crucial role in helping companies manage their travel needs. These agencies cater specifically to the unique requirements of corporate clients, ensuring seamless and cost-effective travel experiences.
A corporate travel agency is a specialized service provider that assists businesses in organizing and coordinating their travel arrangements, including:
Canada has robust business opportunities, attracting many entrepreneurs and international companies. As a result, there is a growing demand for corporate travel services in the country.
Starting a corporate travel agency in Canada presents a lucrative opportunity to tap into this market and cater to the needs of businesses across various industries.
Here’s a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help you establish a corporate travel agency in Canada:
If you’re establishing a Canadian travel agency as a partnership or sole proprietorship. You can register it through your provincial government’s website. But, if you opt for a corporate structure. The process involves completing the registration and making the necessary payments through the official Government of Canada business website.
In case you planning to locate your business in British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec. You should register it with your provincial travel agency association. For registration in other provinces, visit the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The next step is to visit the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) website. There, you’ll find the necessary application forms and fees.
The registration costs may differ based on the size of your workforce, and it’s an annual renewal process. Ensure to provide your provincial registration number or IATA number. As required during the registration process.
Make sure to get any extra permits and licenses that might be needed. Some travel agencies may need these before they can start working. For instance, in Ontario, you’ll need a sales tax number if you plan to charge sales tax on what you offer.
If you’re employing people in British Columbia, it’s necessary to register your company with BC’s WorkSafe program. You can find more details about these permits and licenses on your provincial business website.
The cost of starting a travel agency in Canada can vary widely depending on the size and scope of the business. Total start-up costs can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more. Some of the key start-up costs include:
You’ll have to secure a business license and any required permits from your local government. The fees for these will differ based on where you are.
If you intend to establish a brick-and-mortar office, you must arrange for space rental or leasing. The expenses for office space will fluctuate depending on where it’s situated and how much space you require.
When hiring employees, it’s crucial to account for expenses related to wages, perks and onboarding.
Furthermore, you should also include the expenses linked to arranging travel for your clients. Such as transportation, meals and other related expenditures. Often these are managed through business credit cards until you receive payment from your clients.
The positive aspect is that several methods exist to lower the expenses of launching a travel agency. For instance, you can utilize cost-effective marketing avenues like social media and email marketing for free or at a low cost. Additionally, starting your agency as a home-based business can help you reduce office space expenses.
You should allocate funds for marketing and advertising to connect with potential customers. The expenses will differ based on your marketing channels and the extent of outreach you aim for.
You’ll have to buy or lease travel agency software to handle your bookings and reservations.
In short, starting a corporate travel agency in Canada offers promising opportunities in a diverse and dynamic market. To get started, register your business, obtain necessary permits and budget for initial expenses. Keep in mind that smart marketing and cost-effective choices can help you succeed while providing valuable travel services.
