Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It)

March 31, 2025
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umors of their demise were greatly exaggerated.

I'm reminded of that famous Twain-ism when thinking about travel agencies, which the internet had supposedly killed off long ago.

But today's interview is the second in recent months where my guest bought a healthy travel agency business.

You'll recall Shell Zhang's interview in January. Shell bought Nada's Italy, a business that does group tours to Italy.

The business that today's guest Jared Benoff acquired also targets a niche, destination weddings.

This niche focus does seem to be the key for modern day travel agencies to thrive.

And the subject of today is indeed thriving:

Great margins, a completely virtual business, around $1m in SDE, and, of course, expensed trips to Cancún.

Another feature of Jared's story that we spend time on: the sellers of the business he bought were... his parents.

We learn all about that dynamic.

For another story on an acquisition entrepreneur buying his parents' business, see our interview with Jordan Evans from July. Jordan's parents had a language services business, which he has taken from $700k in revenue to $12m.

OK, here is Jared Benoff, owner of Vacationeeze.

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Why Buy a Travel Agency (Because They Can Crush It)

You thought the internet killed them off, but the travel agency Jared Benoff bought does $1m SDE by dominating a niche.

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Key Takeaways

Introduction

Listen to the introduction from the host
R

umors of their demise were greatly exaggerated.

I'm reminded of that famous Twain-ism when thinking about travel agencies, which the internet had supposedly killed off long ago.

But today's interview is the second in recent months where my guest bought a healthy travel agency business.

You'll recall Shell Zhang's interview in January. Shell bought Nada's Italy, a business that does group tours to Italy.

The business that today's guest Jared Benoff acquired also targets a niche, destination weddings.

This niche focus does seem to be the key for modern day travel agencies to thrive.

And the subject of today is indeed thriving:

Great margins, a completely virtual business, around $1m in SDE, and, of course, expensed trips to Cancún.

Another feature of Jared's story that we spend time on: the sellers of the business he bought were... his parents.

We learn all about that dynamic.

For another story on an acquisition entrepreneur buying his parents' business, see our interview with Jordan Evans from July. Jordan's parents had a language services business, which he has taken from $700k in revenue to $12m.

OK, here is Jared Benoff, owner of Vacationeeze.

About

Jared Benoff

Jared Benoff

Show Notes

You thought the internet killed them off, but the travel agency Jared Benoff bought does $1m SDE by dominating a niche.

Topics in Jared’s interview:

  • His 9.5 year stint at Twitter/X
  • Helping his dad with the family business
  • Buying his parents’ destination wedding business
  • Evolution of travel agencies
  • His dad’s successful YouTube videos
  • Advantages of buying the family business
  • Standing out with customer service
  • The pain of 4-star reviews
  • Working with a loan broker
  • Buying for 2x SDE

References and how to contact Jared:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 3rd:

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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Episode Transcript

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