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Unlike the typical travel agency that will put together a run-of-the-mill package tour, book a flight, arrange car rental and hotel bookings, a specialty travel agency focuses on the speciality travel market: the adventure seekers, special- interest groups, specific geographic locations etc..

As a specialty travel agent, you may choose to focus on one specific segment of the specialty travel market, such as adventure holidays, or on several segments.  You may combine white-water rafting holidays, treks in Nepal, African Safaris and ecotourism, for example.

Specialty travel will require you to have an intimate knowledge of the segments of the markets you intend to focus on.  So, if you decide to specialize in trekking holidays, you're going to have to know your stuff and that means getting out there and doing it for yourself first so you know what you're talking about.  Likewise, don't decide on bird-watching tours as your area of specialty if you know nothing about birds.  Pick something you're enthusiastic and knowledgeable about and you'll be well-placed to package memorable holidays that your clients will talk about for years to come assuring you of repeat business and word of mouth referrals.

Useful resources:

=> Sites

Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up Kit Specialty Travel and Tours http://www.entrepreneurmag.com/resource/toolkit/travel.hts

Just About Twisted Travel http://just.about.com/twisted/index.htm?PM=81_8_T

=> Books

Home-Based Travel Agent: How to Cash in on the Exciting New World of Travel Marketing by Kelly Monaghan

Guide to Starting and Operating a Successful Travel Agency by Laurence Stevens

Marketing and Selling the Travel Product by James F. Burke  Barry Paul Resnick