Bursch Travel
Bursch Travel is a third-generation family-owned full-service travel agency operating 13 branch offices and 4 virtual offices across the upper Midwest US. The firm serves individual leisure and corporate clients with personalized vacation, cruise, tour, and Disney planning, monetizing via supplier commissions and per-person planning fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersWaite Park, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Bursch Travel does
Bursch Travel is a third-generation, family-owned full-service travel agency headquartered in Waite Park, Minnesota. The company operates 13 physical branch offices and 4 virtual offices across Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska, employing between 101 and 250 professionals. It serves both leisure travelers (individual vacationers, families, honeymooners, romance, LGBTQ+, and group travelers) and corporate clients, offering vacation packages, cruises, escorted tours, Disney vacations, destination weddings, honeymoons, and business travel management. Travel advisors — averaging over 10 years of industry experience — deliver personalized itinerary planning through phone, email, and Zoom consultations on an appointment-only basis, with 24/7 emergency support during travel.
The agency's underlying technology stack consists of standard Global Distribution Systems (GDS) used for airline and hotel reservations, plus conventional travel planning and booking systems. No proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or API is offered; client engagement is rooted in human-advisor relationships rather than digital self-service. The product surface is broad, spanning 18+ service lines including niche offerings such as Positive Impact Travel, Black Hills by Local Experts, and Bursch Exclusive Groups (company-curated escorted tours).
Bursch Travel makes money through two primary streams: (1) non-refundable client planning fees starting at $60 per person and scaling with trip complexity, with $100 rush fees for bookings within 30 days of departure; and (2) supplier commissions earned as agent on transportation, accommodations, cruises, sightseeing, and tour bookings with major partners including Princess Cruises, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Disney, Delta Vacations, Globus, Trafalgar, and others. A dedicated corporate sales team provides business-travel management, group travel, and meetings/incentives services. Marketing and lead generation run through the company's website, blog, social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Instagram), email newsletter via Signature Travel Network, and destination seminars/webinars archived on YouTube. The business is self-funded, has no external equity backing, and recognized as one of the largest privately owned travel companies in the Midwest.
Bursch Travel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bursch Travel
- Legal name
- Bursch Travel Agency, Inc.
- Website
- https://burschtravel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Bursch Travel is a third-generation family-owned full-service travel agency operating 13 branch offices and 4 virtual offices across the upper Midwest US. The firm serves individual leisure and corporate clients with personalized vacation, cruise, tour, and Disney planning, monetizing via supplier commissions and per-person planning fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bursch Travel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Travel Agency Services
- NAICS
- Travel Agencies (561510), Travel Agencies (56151), Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (5615), Tour Operators (561520)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inbound/Local Retail Travel Agencies (Destination Booking Offices) (THAKABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group & Small-Group Custom Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAF), Online/Hybrid Corporate Travel Agencies (Self-Booking + Support) (THAKACAB), Luxury Travel Agencies (THAKAFAA), Fee-Based/Independent Trip Planners (No Booking) (THAKAOAA)
Keywords
Where Bursch Travel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waite Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices17 records
Markets served
Bursch Travel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Travel Planning Fees: Client pays a non-refundable planning fee based on trip complexity. For planning less than 30 days prior to departure, a $100 rush fee applies. Fees are non-refundable even if client cancels.
- Supplier Commissions: Company acts as agent acquiring transportation, hotel accommodations, cruises, sightseeing and other privileges for travelers' benefit. Earns commissions from airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and other travel suppliers.
- Group and Corporate Travel Services: Corporate travel management including customized itineraries, cost-effective travel planning, and group/executive travel services. Incentive group and meeting planning services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Base planning fee starting at $60 per person |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Bursch Travel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bursch Travel is a full-service travel agency that plans, books, and manages leisure and corporate travel for individual and business clients. Core services include customized vacation packages, ocean/river/expedition cruises, escorted tours, Disney vacations, destination weddings, honeymoons, and group/incentive travel coordinated by dedicated travel advisors. The agency earns revenue through per-person planning fees and supplier commissions, delivering itineraries that bundle flights, accommodations, ground transportation, activities, dining, and travel protection coverage.
Product overview
Bursch Travel is a third-generation, family-owned full-service travel agency operating as a single unified service rather than a platform architecture. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of travel planning services centered around vacation packages, cruises, and escorted tours, with specialized divisions for Disney vacations, honeymoons, destination weddings, business travel, and group travel (Bursch Exclusive Groups). The core offering combines personalized travel advisor expertise with partnerships across major cruise lines (Princess, Viking, Celebrity, Avalon), tour operators (Globus, Trafalgar, Brendan), and travel suppliers (Delta, Sandals). Additional services include travel seminars, LGBTQ+ travel, positive impact travel, and regional expertise for destinations like Black Hills. The company operates 13 branch offices and 4 virtual offices across Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska, serving clients nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Vacation Packages Customized vacation packages bundling flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities for destinations worldwide including Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, and Disney World, sold to leisure travelers and families.
- Cruises (Ocean, River, and Expedition) Ocean, river, and expedition cruises sold through partnerships with Princess Cruise Lines, Viking, Celebrity Cruises, Avalon Waterways, and other major cruise lines, planned for individual travelers, couples, and groups.
- Disney Vacations Specialized Disney vacation planning for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney tours, including package bundling with flights and accommodations, delivered through authorized Disney vacation planners.
- Hotels & Resorts Hotel and resort booking services spanning value to luxury accommodations across all destinations served by the agency.
- Destination Weddings Full-service destination wedding planning including venue selection, travel arrangements, and on-the-ground coordination for wedding parties.
- Honeymoons Romantic honeymoon travel planning including tropical escapes, city adventures, and mountain retreats, leveraging partnerships such as Delta Vacations Honeymoons and Sandals Honeymoons.
- Escorted Tours Guided escorted tours worldwide offered through preferred tour operator partners including Brendan Vacations, CIE Tours International, Globus, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, and Rocky Mountaineer.
- Business Travel / Corporate Travel Management Corporate travel management services including flight and hotel booking, customized itineraries, consolidated reporting, 24/7 emergency support, and group/executive travel services for business clients.
- Travel Seminars Expert-led live travel seminars and webinars covering destination highlights, travel trends, insider tips, and booking strategies, with previous webinar content archived on the Bursch Travel YouTube channel.
- LGBTQ+ Travel Specialized travel planning services for LGBTQ+ travelers, including destination expertise, inclusive accommodations, and welcoming travel experiences.
- Positive Impact Travel Responsible and sustainable travel options for clients seeking low-impact and community-benefit itineraries, including Pack For A Purpose community service initiatives.
- Bursch Exclusive Groups Company-curated escorted group tours with unique itineraries and experiences, including professional football packages, Alaska cruises, NYC tours, European pilgrimages, and international sports event travel.
- Family Travel Family-oriented vacation planning covering multi-generational travel, theme parks, beach destinations, and adventure trips tailored to family travelers.
- Land Adventures & Expeditions Land-based adventures and expedition tours including African safaris, agritourism, and wildlife encounters arranged with partners such as Abercrombie & Kent, African Travel Inc., Backroads, and Micato Safaris.
- Meetings & Incentives Corporate meetings and incentive travel programs for businesses, including group logistics, venue coordination, and attendee travel arrangements.
- Black Hills by Local Experts Specialized Black Hills area travel planning with local Rapid City expertise covering accommodations, sightseeing, attractions, and transportation for clients visiting the region.
- Travel Gift Certificates Travel gift certificates available for purchase to give as gifts for any occasion, redeemable against the agency's travel planning and booking services.
Companies that use Bursch Travel
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bursch Travel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Bursch Travel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Signature Travel NetworkcoreBursch Travel is part of the Signature Travel Network consortium of travel agencies, providing industry recognition, consortium pricing, marketing resources, and professional development for advisors.
- Princess CruisescorePreferred cruise line partner offering exclusive promotions including up to 40% off fares and up to $400 instant savings on various itineraries including Alaska and island hopping.
- Viking River CruisescorePreferred river cruise partner featured in special offers and promotions including the Viking Spring Sale.
- Disney Travel CentercoreAuthorized Disney vacation planner offering Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney packages with access to Disney Dream Team specialists.
- Avalon WaterwaysminorRiver cruise partner featured in Christmas Markets on the Danube itinerary and Danube Dreams river cruise packages.
- Brendan VacationsminorPreferred escorted tour operator partner offering customized European tour itineraries.
- CIE Tours InternationalminorPreferred escorted tour operator partner offering international touring options.
- GlobusminorPreferred escorted tour operator partner with specialists certificates available for advisors.
- Insight VacationsminorPreferred escorted tour operator specializing in premium travel experiences.
- TrafalgarminorPreferred escorted tour operator partner offering guided vacation packages.
- Rocky MountaineerminorPreferred rail vacation partner offering scenic train journeys through Western Canada.
- Abercrombie & KentminorLuxury adventure travel partner specializing in African safaris and expedition tours.
- African Travel Inc.minorSpecialized Africa travel partner offering curated safari experiences.
- BackroadsminorActive travel partner offering hiking, biking, and multi-adventure vacations.
- Club MedminorAll-inclusive resort partner offering family and adult-only vacation packages.
- Delta VacationscoreMajor airline vacation partner offering packaged travel with Delta flights and Medallion status earning opportunities.
- G-AdventuresminorSmall group adventure travel partner operating worldwide.
- Micato SafarisminorLuxury safari specialist offering African wildlife experiences.
- MT SobekminorAdventure travel partner specializing in expedition and trekking vacations.
- TCS World TravelminorLuxury escorted touring partner offering curated world travel experiences.
- Allianz Travel InsurancecorePreferred travel insurance provider offering trip protection, emergency assistance, and coverage options for clients.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Bursch Travel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- World Travel Holdings: One of the largest US travel agencies/personalized vacation retailers, operating brands like CruiseOne and Villas of Distinction. Competitor for Bursch's cruise, romance, and luxury vacation bookings, with much larger national scale.
- AAA Travel: AAA's travel agency arm operates a large retail travel network serving the same leisure and family travel customers that Bursch targets. Comparable in offering full-service vacation planning, cruises, and escorted tours, but with national scale and the AAA membership distribution engine.
Direct peers
- Avoya Travel: Network of independent travel advisors offering personalized vacation, cruise, and tour planning. Comparable to Bursch in its advisor-led model, network affiliation benefits, and emphasis on curated leisure experiences.
- Travel Leaders: A large US-based retail travel agency network with a similar mix of leisure, corporate, and group travel services. Operates physical branch offices across multiple states and competes with Bursch in the Midwest market for both leisure and corporate clients.
- Direct Travel: US corporate travel management company serving mid-market and enterprise business clients. Directly comparable to Bursch's Corporate/Business Travel division in offering customized itineraries, reporting, and 24/7 support.
- KHM Travel Group: Host agency supporting independent travel advisors across the US, particularly in the Midwest. Comparable to Bursch in focusing on leisure travel, group trips, and Disney/cruise specialty bookings through a decentralized advisor network.
- Liberty Travel: Established US retail travel agency focused on leisure vacation packages, honeymoons, and escorted tours. Shares Bursch's traditional storefront/phone-based planning model and target customer (mainstream leisure travelers seeking guided trip booking).
- Dream Vacations: A CruiseOne/Dream Vacations franchise travel agency network specializing in cruises, resort packages, and group travel. Direct peer on the cruise and vacation package side, serving a similar middle-American demographic.
- Cruise Planners: A home-based travel agency franchise network with strong emphasis on cruise and romance travel. Comparable to Bursch's cruise and honeymoon specialty, but operates through independent franchisees rather than company-owned branches.
Others
- Expedia Group: Dominant OTA platform competing for the same end customers via direct online booking. Not a direct agency peer, but the primary channel-substitution competitor pressuring traditional retail agencies like Bursch.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bursch Travel social profiles
Digital presenceBursch Travel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bursch Travel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Bursch Travel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bursch Travel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bursch Travel
What does Bursch Travel do?
Bursch Travel is a full-service travel agency that plans, books, and manages leisure and corporate travel for individual and business clients. Core services include customized vacation packages, ocean/river/expedition cruises, escorted tours, Disney vacations, destination weddings, honeymoons, and group/incentive travel coordinated by dedicated travel advisors. The agency earns revenue through per-person planning fees and supplier commissions, delivering itineraries that bundle flights, accommodations, ground transportation, activities, dining, and travel protection coverage.
Is Bursch Travel a public or private company?
Bursch Travel is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Bursch Travel founded?
Bursch Travel was founded in 1956. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Bursch Travel based?
Bursch Travel is headquartered in Waite Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bursch Travel make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Travel Planning Fees are the primary driver. The others are supplier Commissions and group and Corporate Travel Services.
Who are Bursch Travel's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are World Travel Holdings and AAA Travel. Direct peers are Avoya Travel, Travel Leaders, Direct Travel, KHM Travel Group, Liberty Travel, Dream Vacations and Cruise Planners. Expedia Group is listed as an others.
Does Bursch Travel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bursch Travel.
What industry is Bursch Travel in?
Bursch Travel's product category is Travel Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKABAH, Inbound/Local Retail Travel Agencies (Destination Booking Offices), with a secondary code of THAKAOAF, Group & Small-Group Custom Itinerary Planning. Its NAICS code is 561510 and its SIC code is 4700.