First Steps to Getting Started
Suitability
Is the tourism industry for you? Whilst starting a business in any industry can be challenging, specific skills and abilities are needed to run a successful tourism business. These include:
- Ability to work with people
- Good health and capacity to work long and unusual hours
- Industry experience required and/or the willingness to undertake training
- Ability to relate to people from different social and cultural backgrounds
- Sensitivity to meet and understand the needs of groups and individuals
- Ability to solve problems quickly
- Total support of your spouse, family and others involved in or affected by the business
- Fitness and stamina to keep your business running
- Public relations and sales skills to promote your business.
Running a business requires many different skills including managerial, financial and marketing skills, as well as the technical. Your knowledge of these skills can affect the viability and success of the business. It is important to analyse your skills and abilities before starting a business. This will ensure you possess both the capabilities and knowledge required in operating and growing your own business.
Want more information? Check out www.business.qld.gov.au/smartskills for online learning, or contact the Business Resource Centre on 1300 363 711.
Developing Your Idea
Whilst your business idea may be something that you are passionate about, it is important to ensure that there is adequate demand for the goods/services that you are offering.
Start your research by asking a wide range of people for feedback on your proposed idea. Would they purchase what you are offering? Why or why not?
Developing contacts within the industry will also provide you with insight into the level of demand and trends within the local area. Sometimes people in similar businesses are willing to help, but if not, try talking to suppliers or businesses who are not your direct competitors.
Visit your local library or go online for information on how to conduct market research so you can build a solid knowledge base about your proposed target markets. Tourism statistics and research are available through the Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia websites (www.tq.com.au, www.tourismaustralia.com, or schedule a meeting with a staff member from Capricorn Tourism to discuss your proposed idea.
Ready to go further? Visit Tourism Queensland’s “Project Feasibility Guide” for a step-by-step guide to planning and determining the viability of new tourism ventures. Download a copy of the guide from TQ’s “Resource Centre” at www.tq.com.au/resource-centre/
You can also assess how prepared you are to go into business by reading the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) Guide “7 Steps to Business Success” found at the Business Resource Centre (via www.business.qld.gov.au) or by taking the Business Readiness Diagnostic quiz, available at www.business.qld.gov.au/businessreadiness
