Dubai is a great tourist destination and is very popular amongst tourists because of its luxurious lifestyle, amazing architecture, luxurious hotels and restaurants, and lively culture. The travel industry in Dubai offers great business opportunities for entrepreneurs. However, start any business in Dubai is a strategic location and if you want to start a travel agency in Dubai, it can be a smart move. In this post, there are some important steps you need to follow for starting your travel agency business in Dubai.
Steps to Follow to Start a Travel Agency Business in Dubai
1. Choose Your Business Activity
To decide what type of travel agency you want to run, choosing your business activity is important. Your business activity will decide whether you want to handle tours outside Dubai, just focus on inbound tour activities, or act as a travel agent issuing air tickets. To select the right business activity, you can get helpful advice from Dubai business setup consultants.
2. Choose a Company Name
Get familiar with the rules before you choose a name for your company. You can add words like ‘global’ and ‘international’ but it might cost you extra and have some restrictions. Also, avoid using offensive words.
3. Apply For a Business License
Applying for a business license is important to operate in Dubai. If your business involves travel services, you should also get a tourism license. The DED (Department of Economic Development) issues licenses for businesses in Dubai, however, if you are going to operate in a free zone, you need to get a license from the specific free zone authority. You might also need to take approvals from relevant authorities. So get ready with the necessary permits and licenses to operate in Dubai.
4. Get Office Space Rented
You need an office space where you are going to operate your business in Dubai. For that, you need a rental agreement for office space and the agreement must be approved by the Dubai Land Department.
5. Apply for Your Employees’ Visa
Before bringing in new employees, make sure their visas are ready. Apply for their visas at least 30 days before they arrive so that they have a visit visa by the time they arrive in Dubai.
6. Open a Corporate Bank Account
For transactions related to your business, you need to get a corporate bank account. However, you must have a trade license. Banks will only consider opening a corporate bank account if you have a trade license. Travel agency in Dubai has strict rules and getting help from Dubai business setup consultants can make the process of starting your travel agency business easier.
Documents Required to Open a Travel Agency in Dubai
- Passport copies of all the investors along with their residential visas or visit visas
- Agreement of office lease
- Manager’s degree certificate
- Indemnity Insurance Policy
- Travel agent appointment contract
- A list of chosen few names to reserve for the company name reservation
Benefits of Starting a Travel Agency in Dubai
1. Growing Tourism Industry
The tourism industry in Dubai is expected to keep growing, which means travel agencies will have more opportunities. Dubai already is a popular place among tourists. So starting a travel agency in Dubai can be a smart choice.
2. Free Zones
Dubai has special business zones called free zones. These free zones come with many benefits like lower taxes and simple visa rules. You can also own 100% of your business if you’re a foreigner. Thus these free zones attract lots of entrepreneurs who wnat to start businesses.
3. Well Connected With the World
Dubai has flights to over 200 places around the world, making it easy for travel agencies to book trips for their clients. This connectivity is another benefit of starting a travel agency business in Dubai.
To start any business, it is always suggested to reach out to business setup consultants in Dubai. However, following these steps can also help you a lot to make your business process easier.
