Travelling is an intrinsic part of our lives for multiple reasons. More often than not, you seek the assistance of a Travel Agency to bail you out to arrange for your travel plans against fees. The main area where the Travel Agency thrives is in Business and Leisure travel. Today India is ranked 12th in the travel and tourism industry’s contribution to the GDP of the country. The predicted annual growth of 7.8% for the decade 2013 to 2023 is indication enough to gauge the importance of travel and tourism in the economic growth of our country. In recognition of this potential, the Government of India offers several subsidies to entrepreneurs setting up a travel agency. There are also ample provisions for a business loan for a travel agency to boost the proliferation of such entities keeping pace with the growth in the industry.
Functions of a Travel Agency:
The primary clients of travel agencies are business travellers and leisure travelers. Their requirements are vastly different, and the travel agency has to procure the necessary components from different suppliers to cater to the individual needs of its clients.
The primary function of a travel agency is in selling the following:
- Transportation
- Lodging and accommodation
- Facilitating Entertainment avenues for individuals and groups
- Planning trips and itineraries
- Sundry travel arrangements.
Linkages of a Travel Agency:
To cater to the specific demands of its clients, the travel agency needs to closely associate and integrate with the service providers in each sphere that is related to travel and tourism as under:
Domain | Suppliers |
Transportation Services | Airlines |
Railways | |
Car rental services | |
Bus services | |
Lodging | Hotels |
Home stays | |
Financials | Banks |
Insurance | |
Travel and Trips | Travel Agents |
Cruise Liners | |
Service Providers | Trade and Tourist Associations |
Tour operators both domestic and foreign | |
Ground Operators | |
Others | Tourism Educational Institutes |
Agencies related to travel and tourism both in the government and Private sector |
Financials of a Travel Agency:
The multitasking activity of a Travel Agency requires meticulous planning and finance to run like any other business. It has to further comply with all the rules and regulations framed by the GOI with several registrations at the government level and the suppliers, especially the airlines and the railways. It further has to register for GST as the services provided by the agency is within its ambit. The travel agency financial plan includes:
- Office set up and infrastructure
- Working capital
- Online booking facilities
- Salaries for the employees
- Credit to the clients
- Bulk booking of services.
All this can be met by availing of a business loan for travel agency from a host of lenders like banks, NBFCs, and Digital NBFCs. The last-named has revolutionized business credit options in the country. At Lendingkart.com you are in for a hassle-free Business and Working Capital loan from Rs. 50 K to Rs. 2 Cr in a matter of 3 days.
Type business loan for travel agency in India:
There is business loan galore with the lenders waiting to offer travel agency financing with the following products that typically suits the business environment and the needs of a travel agency.
Term Loan for Travel Agency:
As the name suggests, a term loan is designed to meet the one-time capital need. The fund may be used to:
- Set up or expand the office and operations
- Technology upgrade or new equipment
- Add to inventories
- Grow your team
- Publicity etc.
Features of Term Business Loan |
|
Quantum |
Up to Rs.2C |
Tenure |
1 year to 3 years |
Rate of Interest |
Up to 2% per month depending on your credit profile |
Charges |
One time processing fee |
Security |
Usually nil collateral |
Eligibility |
Usually specified operational history varying with lenders |
Line of Credit for Travel Agency:
It is an overdraft facility which endows you with a lot of flexibility with relation to your cash flow, which can change with the season.
Features of Line of Credit Business Loan | |
All the features are similar to the Term Loan except that you pay interest only on to the extent of funds used. You are free to deposit and withdraw to meet your financial needs. | |
Review | The overdraft facility is reviewed periodically |
Invoice Discounting for Travel Agency:
It acts as an alternative to traditional business loans by providing instant funds against locked up invoices, ensuring that there is steady cash flow. The salient features of this credit product are:
- Get Instant cash
- Repay when your client pays.
Working of Invoice Discounting:
- The invoice is raised on the client
- The lender pays up to 90% of the value of the invoice
- Liquidate when you receive payment from your client.
Merchant Advance Loan for Travel Agency:
The use of a POS machine is the norm of the day when more and more people have got accustomed to the use of plastic cards for payment of their purchase. Most travel agencies are equipped to provide this digital platform to their clients. It is also a fact that significant transactions are routed through this mode. The loan is repaid using daily deductions directly through the POS machine transactions. It unlocks your funds in the eco-system of swipe machines.
Loan for Travel Agency FAQs:
1. What is the eligibility for a loan for travel business?
2. Can I get a loan for travel agency business online?
3. What are the mandatory documents required for travel agency financing?
4. What is the swipe history criterion for Merchant Advance?
5. Is there any turnover requirement to be eligible for loan catering to travel agency financial plan?
