How do I find a travel agency for sale in Canada?

Travel agencies rarely appear under a neat heading. Many run from a home office, some are a storefront with a few advisors, and some owners would sell only their client list or a team of advisors rather than a company. Before you search, decide which of these you would take on, because that choice shapes where you look and what you ask for.

Start with the listing sites, then widen

Listing sites and brokers are a fair first step, and a saved search for travel, tour and vacation headings will catch new postings. Expect few results. An owner with loyal clients often avoids a public listing, so treat the sites as one channel among several. For a wider view of the sector, see how to find a tourism business for sale.

Ask the groups that agencies belong to

Most independent agencies sit under a host agency, a consortium or a franchisor, and the people who run them know which owners are thinking of stepping back. Introduce yourself, say what size and style of agency you want, and ask how they handle a change of ownership. Supplier sales representatives also meet owners often and may make an introduction.

Approach an owner directly

A short, respectful note to an agency you admire can start a confidential conversation. Say you are a serious buyer, offer to sign a confidentiality agreement and ask for nothing sensitive at first. If a broker is involved, ask who the broker represents. A lawyer can tell you which registrations and approvals apply where the agency operates.

• Decide whether you want a whole agency, a book of business or an advisor team.
• Ask the host, consortium or franchisor how an ownership change is handled.
• Keep a log of every owner, broker and group you speak with.