Example Business Ideas

Starting a Dog Travel Agency

Written by Rayzelle Forrest Young for Gaebler Ventures

Starting a dog travel agency? Learn everything you need to know about starting a profitable dog travel agency.

Starting a dog business can be a rewarding as well as profitable business.

If you've thought about starting a company that involves dogs but don't want to start the typical dog walking or dog daycare business, you may want to think about launching a dog travel agency. Nowadays more people are exploring the option of taking their dogs with them when they go on vacation but often times don't know what places away from home accept dogs as visitors. This is where your service as a dog travel agency comes in.

Develop a Dog Friendly List

Start out your dog travel agency business by developing a list of dog friendly hotels across the country that allow dogs to stay in the room or at least on the premises with their owners. Some hotels may have a doggy daycare or kennel right on the premises where pets can stay instead of allowing them to be in the rooms. In addition, develop a database for parks, resorts, beaches and other vacation destinations across the country that are dog friendly. This will allow you to help your clients plan vacation getaways centered around spending time with their dog.

Advertise

Advertise your business anywhere dog owners frequent. You could put flyers in veterinarian offices, pet stores and kennels, dog daycare centers, dog parks and pet grooming centers. If your area has dog shows, make sure you attend and pass out flyers and brochures about the service your business provides. In addition, you will want to create a website in order to have a presence on the internet. This will allow you to extend your services to customers outside your local area.

Create Vacation Packages

Once you get customers who are interested in your services, develop travel packages that includes dog friendly accommodations as well as destinations and events where pet owners can take their dogs. By doing this you will be providing a valuable service to individuals who are looking to take their dogs along on vacations and spend time with them.

Making Money

The best way to make money with this type of business is to set up a system with hotels where you receive a referral fee for bringing them customers. You could also charge a fee to your customers directly for setting up their travel plans. Dog lovers will gladly shell out money for receiving help with planning a vacation where they can take their precious pets along.

Starting a dog travel agency is a unique way to open a business that interests dog lovers. If you provide clients with good customer service as well as valid vacation spots that they can enjoy with their dogs, you should have no trouble getting repeat business and referrals. These two things always make for a successful company.

Rayzelle is an entrepreneur and writer. Based on her experiences as an owner of her own dance studio, she will share her personal tips on being a successful entrepreneur.

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