Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`ve been playing around with a Travel & Tourism concept. I live in a city where tourism makes this town what it is. The travel industry brings in 1.3 trillion dollars per year just in the United States alone. I love showing people the hot spots when they come to visit from out of town and I love to travel myself. Any ideas or tips to make this business happen? Once I get started there is no stopping me. I just need a little help or a tip from someone who has done this before or has a similar passion for it like myself. Thank you all!

Personally, with little direct experience, I`d guess that the travel industry itself is a nightmare of pricing and competition. Major issues involve airlines, gasoline, and paperwork.

However!...the "guide" business seems to be something that`s almost passed out of existence. Consider the number of travel agencies in the world, making Chicago a destination for tourists. Now think about how many organized guide businesses are in Chicago?

My thinking is that the travel agency is a funnel point for lots and lots of tourists. But what do you do with those tourists after they`ve been sent to Chicago? Suppose you were to set up "ABC Tours," and organize it well enough that it became something like Avis Rent-a-Car: It wouldn`t take long before anyone traveling anywhere would look for the ABC Tours company, knowing they`d get a comprehensive visitor`s package around a city, right?

That is a really good idea. Now I`m a college student, who lives in a big city, with tourism. I want to start a business but I don`t know what direction to go in. I`m self motivated, and nothing is too difficult so i`m willing to take on any business if it sparks my interest. I`m great with people and enjoy talking to them. I want to focus strictly with college students because I am part of those demographics. All I need is some idea or thought to spark and I`m off. I just need a little help with that.

Well, there`s your idea/thought---a guide business.