Setting up a travel agency
There was an ups and downs for travel agencies during this 2-year span with the Covid-19 pandemic since late 2019. Many business owners were forced to close their business as there were no revenue generated during this time, travel agencies included. However, most business is slowly getting back up with the betterment of the current situation. Any tourism related business is one of the pillars to economic growth for the country. Many entrepreneurs started tourism business as they see the opportunities in the tourism field.
In this article, let’s dive into the necessaries to get started on opening a travel agency.
What is travel agency
A travel agency is a private retailer and act as the middleman that provides many different types of services such as helping clients in planning a journey with itineraries that fits clients asking, purchasing airline tickets, making hotel reservations, selling a pre-made travel packages and providing information about specific location.
How to Get Started
Every beginning of a business, there is a rules and regulations to follow. Depending on the types of travel agency you plan to venture in, be sure that all rules and requirements are followed through on your end. Here are some pointers that could help you in starting a travel agency in Malaysia.
• Understanding Law & Regulations
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia enforced the following acts and regulations in the tourism industry:
a) Tourism Industry Act 1992;
b) Tourism Industry (Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business) Regulations 1992;
c) Tourism Industry (Licensing and Control of Tourist Guides) Regulations 1992;
d) Tourism Industry (Licensing of Tourism Training Institutions) Regulations 1994;
e) Tourism Industry (Compounding of Offences) Regulations 1992;
f) Tourism Vehicles Licensing Act 1999; and
g) Tourism Vehicles (Licensing and Control of Tourism Vehicles) Regulations 2000.
• Obtain necessary license and permits
Companies setup in the tourism industry in Malaysia is required to obtain several licenses and permits before begin the operating the business. The ministry has issued several guidelines and checklists to ease entrepreneurs the hassle during the application procedure.
Here are a few steps you need to go through during your application:
1. Familiarise yourself with all travel agency related guidelines and regulations.
2. Filling in Form 1 – Application for Licence to Carry on or Operate a Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business and submit it together with a processing fee of RM100.00. Several documents must be submitted as stated in the application checklist.
3. If you are applying for an excursion bus/hire and drive car licence, make sure you have completed Form 1 – New Application for Excursion Bus Licence or Form 2 – New Application for Hire and Drive Car Licence with a processing fee of RM50.00. You are to fulfil all requirements as listed in the application checklist. If you’re unsure, you can always refer back to Step 1.
• Incorporate Company in Malaysia
Similarly with all the other business in Malaysia, it is essential for you to get your travel agency incorporated and registered with Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM).
It may seem complex to grasp on all information above. Fret not! BossBoleh is ready to help you venture in your travel agency with all procedures and applications.
For more information, reach out on WhatsApp @018-767 8055
