How to set up a travel agency in Spain

Have you ever thought about opening your own travel agency? If tourism is your passion and you are considering a new professional challenge, perhaps this idea has already crossed your mind. In Spain, from a business point of view, it would not be a far-fetched idea, since tourism is one of the country's main industries. In 2019 it accounted for 12.4% of GDP, and in 2022 the forecasts are that it will recover between 80% and 92% of the tourism GDP that existed before the pandemic. In addition, Spain is the second country in the world that receives more tourists each year, only behind France.

The demand for tourism services is growing every year, so we encourage you to give shape to your dream of opening your own agency. Read on to make sure you don't miss out on some useful tips.

Who are you going to approach? One of the first questions you should ask yourself is what type of agency you want to establish, since there are many categories: it can be dedicated to the holiday product, to service other companies specializing in MICE, adventure or sports travel... Finding your customer niche will help you define both the type of product you want to market and your marketing strategy.

Commercial categories of travel agencies. When you study the project of opening your travel agency, you will have to decide which business model you want to develop, and you can fit into one of these three categories:

- Wholesalers: wholesale agencies are those that design, develop and organize all kinds of services and tourist packages to be offered to retail agencies, not being able to offer their services directly to the user or consumer.

- Retailers: these agencies are those that market the products of the wholesalers, selling directly to the consumer, or sell all kinds of services directly to the user, not being able to offer their products to other agencies.

- Wholesalers-retailers: this type of agencies can combine both activities.

Obtaining the title-license. In order to carry out their activity, travel agencies need to obtain a license, which they must apply for in their autonomous community, since the competences regarding the promotion and management of tourism have been transferred. Please contact the Directorate General of Tourism of your region, where you will be informed of the necessary requirements.

To apply for it, both the persons registered in the regime of self-employed and the companies must provide, among others, the following documents:

- An insurance policy that covers the civil responsibility of the operation of the business, the indirect or subsidiary civil responsibility and the responsibility for daily patrimonial damages. The policy for each block must cover a minimum amount of €150,253.

- Certified copy of the duly completed contracts in the name of the company or sufficient titles proving the availability of the premises or offices in the name of the individual or legal entity requesting the title-license.

- Document accrediting the constitution of the bond, of obligatory character, whose purpose is to respond of the obligations derived from the benefit of its services in front of the consumers. This bond will cover the following amounts depending on the category of the agency:

- Wholesalers: 120.202,42 €
- Retailers: 60.101,21 €
- Wholesalers-retailers: 180.303,63 €

-Documentationissued by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office that accredits to have requested the commercial name of the agency.

-Economic Activities Tax.

Main documents you will need to start the activity of your agency. Once you have completed all the legal formalities and your travel agency is up and running, you will need certain documents to close your first contracts with clients. If you have any doubts about which format you can use, we are happy to help you. Leave us your email and we will send you directly the main legal text templates that will help you to start selling your trips.

Do you know the best software for travel agencies? As in any sector, travel agencies also have a wide range of technological applications focused on improving and simplifying both the internal work and the service offered to the customer. If you are looking at what software could fit your project we recommend you to take a look at the one we have developed at MOGU, as you will be able to impress your customers while your team performs its functions in an orderly way. We will be happy to offer you a demo at any time, it will not leave you indifferent!

We wish you the best of luck in this new business adventure full of illusion!