travel agent jobs 2023

How to Become a Travel Agent—Because, Believe It or Not, the Industry Is on the Rise

By Scott Bay

There’s a reason “how to become a travel agent” has been a continuously trending search phrase on Google—it is a career path that offers a flexible work environment and schedule, ample travel opportunities, and an immersion into a supportive world-wide industry. It's a surprise to some in 2023: Once the internet became widely available, it was largely believed that needing a travel agent was obsolete. However, even though the brick-and-mortar agencies with punny names in strip malls have vanished, the career is on-the-rise .

New software options are making it easier than ever for people to make money planning trips, either as a side hustle or as a full-time business. That’s why Cherikonda, India-based stay-at-home mother, Maya Kapoor-Miller, decided to enter the professional world as a travel agent this year, at 31. “I knew nothing about the travel industry prior to signing up,” says Kapoor-Miller, who decided to use San Francisco-based booking platform Dreamport to establish her online travel advisor business. “It is my first business in life, and the only one that you can start with no investment.”

But there's also a rise in demand. When people ventured back into the world after the pandemic, travel agents saw an overwhelming amount of business . And that momentum hasn’t stopped—when travel is complicated, like it was in 2020 and 2021, travelers turned to professional trip planners to create a seamless vacation. For better or worse, traveling has remained complicated and chaotic, with new rules being implemented (like Americans needing to pay a fee to visit Europe in 2024 ) and airline strikes and staffing issues. Offloading all of the nitty-gritty details to someone else is more appealing than ever.

For those entering the field, there's also the age-old motivator: a love of travel. 

Shelton Ellis, who is based in North Carolina, recently saw these opportunities and left behind more than 20 years in public relations and global advertising to turn his passion into a career. “I was born with a wanderlust that would wear Rick Steves out,” Ellis says. “I decided to take the leap and follow that lifelong yearning. Transitioning into this role was really about learning how to monetize what I'm passionate about.”

Whether you are looking for a new career path or a lucrative side-hustle—or simply curious about those taking the plunge—here’s how to become a travel agent, from the qualifications and education required, to anticipated earnings, according to those who have made the shift in the past year. 

What exactly does a travel agent do?

Travel agents, or travel advisors (the term is mostly interchangeable), manage everything that goes into a trip for their clients: the flights, car transfers, accommodations, restaurant reservations, and more—they even inspire the itinerary. The reason people turn to travel agents, aside from having a helping hand during any travel chaos , is also to tap into the travel agent’s first-hand knowledge of destinations, and their industry partnerships, which often lead to perks such as hotel upgrades, ideal airplane seats, and experiences that can’t be found on a search engine.

“You have to remember that as a travel agent, you will be a guide for people during their happiest moments—family reunions, weddings , baptisms, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that people have dreamt of,” says Kapoor-Miller. “It has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being a travel agent. You navigate people, inform them, and help them choose.”

So, how do you become a travel agent?

There are many ways to become a travel agent, from joining an existing travel agency , to starting an independent business from the ground up. Others are opting for one of the buzziest start-ups in the travel industry, Fora . When it launched in 2021, the software company, which trains and provides search engine-optimized profile pages to advisors—at one point had a waitlist of over 30,000 people eager to begin a part-time gig. Travel photographer and Condé Nast Traveler contributor Amanda Villarosa is currently in the process of joining.

“I'm the person that friends and family come to for travel recommendations, tips and tricks, and general travel advice,” says Villarosa. “After discovering Fora and looking into it, I realized that it could be the perfect side-hustle, considering I'm already so involved in the industry.”

With additional flexibility, Villarosa was able to move from New York City to splitting her time between Denver and Los Angeles . She says that the sign-up was quite straightforward. “You're given a dedicated Fora email and have access to advising tools and fellow Fora advisors,” she says. “The training is in the form of Zoom meetings and videos, which you have the option to watch at your own pace. Once completed, you take a certification quiz and you're on your way to advising.”

The other ways in are slightly more involved. To begin an independent practice, you go about it like many other businesses. You will have to create an LLC, establish a business name, cultivate marketing materials, build a website, find clientele, and more.

Ellis found something in the middle, choosing to connect with an established travel agency. “Don't be afraid to reach out to an agency looking to take on new advisors and is willing to mentor," says Ellis. "I was fortunate to learn so much from Annie Chambers, the owner of Crafted Escapes , who has seven years in the business.” He now knows the ropes on everything from using itinerary-building software to destination-specific training, to the sales and marketing aspects of the trade.

Is there required education or qualifications?

Ellis says that there's no certification, per se, required to become a travel advisor, but there are countless training courses available like Departure Lounge ’s classes on navigating the industry through hotels and tour operators. He said it’s also important to stay on top of travel trends. Ellis recently completed travel agent training programs provided by premier cruise lines such as Virgin Voyages , Ritz-Carlton Yachts , and Cunard to help agents sell their products more accurately.

How much does a travel agent make?

What a travel agent earns depends on how many trips they successfully book for their clients. The entire model is commission-based, meaning agents earn a percentage of the total cost of the vacation they orchestrate. Many travel advisors choose to charge a flat-rate planning fee in addition to their commission, but balance is key—if you charge a high planning fee, it could lead to potential clients going elsewhere.

By Madison Flager

By Abigail Malbon

By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

By Lauren Dana Ellman

Fora ’s website states that “some of our full-time, expert advisors earn well into the six figures (or beyond).” So a lucrative career may be on the horizon, for those who are able to build a robust client base and excellent industry connections.

How much you make can also depend on where you live around the world. “I am being paid in dollars,” says India-based Kapoor-Miller. “So the currency fluctuations of the local exchange rate are not something I am worried about.”

What are the key skills required to become a travel agent?

“Travel agents need a mix of customer service, communication, destination knowledge, organizational, and problem-solving skills,” says Kapoor-Miller. “But I would say that adaptability, flexibility, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity top them all—you have to put yourself in other's shoes, and understand the requirements, hopes, and expectations of your clients along with any worries and questions they may have.”

It’s vital to have a passion for traveling, even the aspects of the process that aren’t as exciting, such as learning about new airline routes, train schedule updates, and industry news. “It can be an information-heavy hustle, and I believe it's important to be excited about it as that energy definitely transfers to your clients and partners,” Villarosa says.

Should travel advisors choose a specialization?

Many travel advisors have found success through becoming an expert in a few types of travel and destinations. “It's important to become an authority and learn as much as you can through personal experiences and continuing education,” says Ellis. “As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community , an avid snow skier, and scuba diver, I know not only the popular destinations but others that are off the beaten path, equally safe and adventurous for all travelers.” This helps travel agents establish a competitive edge, and hopefully convince potential clients to choose them for their expertise.

What are the benefits of being a travel agent?

“Flexibility tops them all,” says Kapoor-Miller. “And the ability to start without industry knowledge. If you worry that you are too old for this job, the good news is that this is a job you can enter and enjoy at any age.”

Another great perk is the "Familiarization trip,” says Ellis. “Tourism boards and hotels invite agents to visit and familiarize themselves with a particular country and its properties. After all, any accomplished salesperson should learn everything they can about their products first-hand...even if they're in Bora Bora.” It's hard work, but someone's got to do it. 

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

5 Best Travel Agent Jobs

Get information on Travel Agent Training programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

If you have ever pictured yourself planning dream vacations for destination weddings, exotic cruises, or arranging transport for excursions to faraway lands — becoming a travel agent could be the right career path for you.

America’s travel agents help global and local explorers plan their travels to some of the world’s top destinations.

Agents with special training and skills provide travel services and peace of mind for travelers — travelers seek out the services of knowledgeable and friendly agents when making travel arrangements by land, air, and sea.

This guide provides an overview of some of the best travel agent jobs for aspiring agents thinking about entering the field!

Travel Agent Job Duties

1. airline reservation agents – specialize in all things flight related, travel consultant job duties, cruise specialist job duties, corporate travel consultant job duties, destination wedding specialist job duties, what qualifications do i need to become a travel agent, what tools do i need to work as an independent travel agent, do i need a license to work as a travel agent, what is a travel agent.

Travel agents are highly skilled professionals dedicated to helping individuals, groups, and corporate partners facilitate seamless travel experiences.

The role of today’s travel agents goes well beyond booking flights and making hotel reservations.

Today’s agents serve as sophisticated travel architects who cater to the diverse preferences and individual needs of their clients and travel partners.

• Scheduling Flights
• Booking Accommodations
• Arranging Transportation
• Creating Travel Itineraries
• Selling Travel Insurance
• Understanding Travel Regulations
• Issuing Travel Documents
• Issuing Airline Tickets
• Navigating Complex Reservation Systems
• Securing the Best Travel Deals
• Emergency Travel Services

The Best Travel Agent Jobs

Independent travel agents have a variety of career pathways to choose from.

They can work as travel consultants who specialize in creating personalized itineraries for clients, cruise specialists who book and plan cruises for travelers, and more.

Below, we provide an overview of some of the best travel agent jobs available for new and aspiring agents.

Travel agents who specialize in making airline reservations focus on assisting customers with making flight reservations and all aspects of air-related travel.

They provide critical information on available flight options and airline schedules and find the best fares to meet their traveler’s budgets.

Airline reservation agents are responsible for booking and confirming airline reservations, issuing airline tickets, and managing flight changes and cancelations as they arise.

These airline-focused agents also help travelers when issues arise that require rebooking, searching out lost baggage, managing flight delays, and staying abreast of ever-changing airline policies.

2. Travel Consultants – Making Travel Planning Easier

Today’s travel consultants are knowledgeable professionals who specialize in planning memorable vacations and travel adventures for their clients.

They plan every detail of travel, from finding the best deals on flights, arranging for top-notch travel accommodations, and weaving together exciting itineraries that their clients will never forget.

Modern travel consultants are adept professionals who are highly skilled at creating unparalleled vacation and travel experiences.

These experts are skilled at uncovering the best flight deals accommodation packages, and compiling exciting itineraries that provide lasting memories for their clients.

• Recommending Travel Destinations
• Securing Hotel Reservations
• Arranging Ground Transportation
• Offering Package Tours
• Providing Visa and Documentation Assistance for International Travel

3. Cruise Specialists – Plan Unforgettable Nautical Adventures for Families and Couples

Adventure seekers who dream of cruising the world’s vast seas turn to cruise specialists to help them plan out the details surrounding their ideal voyage.

Cruise specialists help travelers plan all kinds of maritime exploration and adventures.

They handle all the details for planning local intimate river cruises to grand oceanic adventures like around-the-world cruises, including options for luxury, entertainment, and under-the-sea exploration.

Cruise specialists make it possible for seafaring travelers to experience their ideal voyages by planning all the intricate details for local river cruises, themed cruises, and around-the-world journeys.

These specialists orchestrate every detail required for cruise travel, from choosing cruise lines, cabins, food, entertainment, and onboard cruise experiences.

• Cruise Line Selection
• Cabin Selection
• Itinerary Planning
• Onboard Activities and Excursions
• Selling Cruise Packages
• Group Cruise Planning
• Booking Themed Cruises
• Selling Cruise Insurance
• Special Occasions at Sea
• Emergency Assistance from Land

4. Corporate Travel Planners – Keep America’s Business Travelers on Track

Businesses of all sizes rely on corporate travel planners to arrange for affordable flights, comfortable hotels, and local car transportation to help them stay focused on essential tasks related to their work.

Corporate travel planners arrange for domestic and international travel by providing organized itineraries that give step-by-step instructions and guidance for their business clients while traveling.

Corporate travel planners are indispensable for businesses as they cater to the diverse travel needs of businesses of all sizes.

They orchestrate seamless travel experiences by providing transportation logistics, lodging arrangements, and travel expense management, which allows traveling professionals to stay focused on the critical work commitments driving their need for travel.

Corporate travelers breathe a sigh of relief when they know their airline, hotel, and car arrangements are taken care of by their travel planners.

• Making Flight Reservations
• Securing Hotel Accommodations
• Setting up Rail or Bus Travel
• Travel Policy Adherence
• Travel Expense Management
• Applying Corporate Discounts
• Negotiating Corporate Rates
• Maintaining Corporate Travel Profiles

5. Destination Wedding Specialists – Specialize in Making Dreams Come True!

Many couples are taking advantage of cementing one of the most important days in their life to memory by having destination weddings.

Destination wedding specialists arrange for wedding venues in some of the world’s most exotic locations, ranging from tropical beaches to European castles that dazzle and delight brides, grooms, and their loved ones with cherished memories they will have forever.

Destination wedding specialists play a pivotal role in curating unforgettable experiences for excited couples seeking a unique and enchanting backdrop to celebrate their special day.

These travel experts go above and beyond the call of duty by orchestrating weddings and venue selection at some of the world’s most breathtaking locations.

• Destination Selection
• Venue Selection
• Travel Logistics for Guests
• Individual and Group Accommodations
• Legal Documentation and Assistance
• Ceremony and Reception Planning
• Guest Activities and Excursions
• Transport for the Wedding Party
• Travel Concierge Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a travel agent doesn’t officially require any formal education.

However, acting agents and other industry professionals recommend taking training programs and earning certifications from agencies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Travel agents should also have excellent communication skills, sales and marketing skills, and an above-average knowledge of geography.

Working as an independent travel agent requires you to have a combination of skills, knowledge, and tools to help you effectively service your clients.

The following are examples of tools needed by independent agents who work from home or in a remote office.

• Computer, Laptop, or Tablet
• Solid and Reliable Internet Connection
• Booking Platform and Global Distribution System
• Reservation System
• Customer Relationship Management Software
• Collaboration Tools
• Emergency and Crisis Management Tools

Whether you’ll need to obtain a seller’s license to work as a travel agent depends mainly on the rules and regulations of your state.

While most states in the US don’t require travel agents to have a specialized license, others will require agents to obtain a seller’s license for selling travel packages and services.

Additional Resources

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Popular destinations.

Safety Index

Recent reviews & comments.

• Samuel Lewis on 10 Safest Cities in Malaysia
• Albert Smith on 10 Safest Cities in Malaysia
• Mikael Henderson on 10 Safest Cities in Malaysia
• Nii on Guinea
• Claudia on Antalya

Popular US States

• Pennsylvania

• Host Agencies
• Accelerator Course
• Travel Jobs
• Travel Agent Chatter
• Etiquette & Rules
• Privacy Policy

Travel Agent Career Outlook 2024 | An Insider's Take

It used to be when I’d tell people I worked with travel agents, I get a puzzled look and then they ask, "Does anyone even use travel agents anymore?" or "Is it viable? I mean, nowadays? A travel agent career?"

As the value of a travel advisor has really taken root—thank you, Pandemic—I don’t hear this question as often. But I still do… so let’s get some things straight when it comes to the outlook of career as a travel advisor.

In 2024, travel agents are in higher demand than ever before. A 2023 consumer research survey from ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) found that 50% of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic. (This is a 7-point increase from 2022.)

Not only that, but according to Phocuswright's US Travel Agency Landscape , "Travel agency share of the total travel market will rise to 26% in 2026 from 21% in 2022".

Here are the crib notes: There’s no better time to become a travel agent . And let me tell you, you have come to the right place if you dream of a travel agent career!

We've got tons of info on starting how to start a travel agency and even an online course on how to start your travel agency . :)

If you’re curious to dig a little deeper into a travel agent career outlook, then read on! 

Here's what I'll chat on:

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

A travel agent career is more promising than ever.

• Analysis Paralysis Is Real (And Travel Advisors Help You Through it)
• Is a Travel Career Realistic? Do People Actually Use Travel Agents?
• How Many People Use Travel Agents?
• How Many Travel Agents Are There?
• Is There Money In a Travel Agent Career?
• You're Biased Because You Love Travel Agents, Right?
• You Don't Know What You Don't Know
• Want to Become a Travel Agent?

Pandemic-ignited pent-up demand to travel has led to a boom for travel agencies. As of the publication date:

• TSA checkpoint travel numbers are above 2019 levels.
• MMGY 2024 Travel Intelligence's Portrait of American Travelers   study cites three-quarters (76%) of Americans plan to take a trip within the next 12 months, up from the 70%   recorded at this time last year . 
• According to a UNTWO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) 2024 press release , “International tourism is expected to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with initial estimates pointing to 2% growth above 2019 levels.”

That’s all fine and dandy but are all these travelers booking on their own?

When it comes to a travel agent career, the question is no longer, “Are travel agents relevant?” Now the question is, “Are travel agents able to meet the ever-increasing demand for their travel services?”

• The 2023 Internova Index: American Traveler Insights found that in 2023, travelers booked 70% of their long-haul trips through a travel advisor. 
• 73% of cruisers booked with a travel advisor according to Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report .

Perry Lungmus, VP of Travel Leaders Network , part of Internova Group, weighed in on what the demand for travel advisor services looks like on the ground among the TLN network of travel agencies:

By all accounts, there is more opportunity for advisors right now than I’ve ever seen in my entire 30-plus years in the travel business. Not only are agency owners looking for new talent and super supportive of those new to the industry, but travel sales continue to be very strong, supplier pricing and advisor commissions trends are great and most importantly, far more consumers now understand the advantages of working with an advisor. So, it’s truly a great time to build one’s career selling travel.  

- Perry Lungmus, VP of Travel Leaders Network

This brings us to the next logical step. Are travel agencies hiring?

Sure are, my friend! A 2024 American Marketing Group survey found that 69% of travel agencies plan to/may hire advisors in the coming year, with 2/3rds of those looking to fill more than one position.

The other 1/3rd? Well, they're shooting to bring on as many good travel advisor employees as they can!

But here's the problem they're running into. Only 7% say it's easy to hire qualified candidates. We've list out the options travel agent training for those looking to start a travel advisor career.

Analysis Paralysis is Real . . . And Advisors Help You Through It

A perfect way to break down why a travel agent career is a reality (even with the option to book online) is the TED talk "The Paradox of Choice."

It explains how the overwhelming amount of choices decreases satisfaction and increases paralysis (Hello, Internet of 2024) . After watching this, you'll understand why a travel agent career is secure. You'll also understand why buying spaghetti sauce—with all those darn options—is exhausting!

With all the options for travel available online, the pendulum is swinging back in favor of travel advisors. Not sold yet?

Check out the Google Trends for the search word "travel agent" since 2004 to 2024:

Those stats should give you some good data to respond back to any skeptics about your travel agent career path! Now, let's get into the real questions you've likely got floating around in that head of yours...

1. Is a Travel Agent Career Realistic? Do People Actually Use Travel Agents?

First thing to know is that if you’re booking your air from MSP to LAX for a trip to see friends, you may not need a travel advisor if you’re comfortable booking on your own. That's pretty simple stuff.

Where do travel advisors of today really shine? Complex trips.

When you’re spending thousands of dollars, traveling with a group or internationally, those are the types of travel that make a travel agent career a solid job. If you've ever booked any of these on your own, you can imagine how grateful clients are for their advisor's expertise, connections and support.

A vacation is a significant monetary investment and for most Americans, you don't get a ton of vacation time. You DO NOT want your vacation messed up.

A traveler can't "test drive" a vacation, but you know who can? A travel agent.

Advisors have done the FAM trips , visited the destination, and toured the cruise ship . They provide the knowledge and expertise from first-hand experience. They’ve already qualified suppliers , researched destinations, and established direct lines to suppliers they can rely on to support travelers during their trip. 

They qualify travelers too, asking travelers questions they may not think to ask themselves.

From details like, "Is premium brand liquor important to have included in your resort?" to directing travelers to critical information such as, “My grandma is in a wheelchair. Will she be able to attend my destination wedding?” 

So why are people skeptical of a travel agent career? I think it's primarily because of a lack of education. When people think of travel agents, they likely have a very limited idea of what a travel agent does —they just press a button and book a ticket right? They're easily replaced.

Wrong. 

A travel agent career is a trade. It's a specific skillset that takes years to hone. There's a reason they're projected to have 26% of the U.S. Travel market share in 2026!

People certainly can book their own travel but, as many learned during the pandemic, whether or not they should is a whole different question. 

2. How Many People Actually Use a Travel Agent? 

Without a doubt, people love to travel. But does this correlate to using a travel advisor? The short answer is, yes. 

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) found 22% of U.S. travelers used a travel advisor 1 . This percentage will grow, with 50% of travelers reporting they’re more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic (a 14% increase from 2022!) 2 . 

And we know that nearly 3/4 of cruise bookings are made by travel advisors . And this is straight from the horse's mouth!

That's right, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)—owned by their 53 cruise line members—found that not only do travel agents account for the vast majority of cruise bookings, but that younger generations are more likely to use a travel advisor than older generations 3 .

That makes a travel agent career look awfully promising, doesn't it? :)

But it goes beyond cruises.

Traditional travel agencies still sell a significant chunk of land-based leisure vacations including custom trips, tours, all-inclusive resorts, etc., and sell about 1/3 of all air tickets.

And we'll end it with this factoid: Phocuswright, a market research firm in the travel industry space that leans heavily towards online travel agencies (OTAs), released their 2023 report on traditional travel agencies titled " U.S. Travel Agents: Optimism Abounds ".

I think they say it best:

Phocuswright has been researching the U.S. travel agency landscape since 2006. Our initial study examined the possibility of travel agency extinction. Instead, with business models changing, and new tools and technologies emerging, the need for professional, personalized services has stood the test of time. Travel agents are not only surviving; they are thriving.

3. How Many Travel Agents Are There?

What does the competition look like in terms of other applicants looking at a travel agent career? The BLS’ latest travel agent headcount lands at 58,250.

But this number is a tad misleading.

Why? Because the BLS looks primarily at travel agent employees . What does this mean? Their count excludes self-employed agents from their count. 4  

This is kind of a big deal.

There are tens of thousands of self-employed travel agents that started their own travel agencies . And these agencies—often home based with less visibility than traditional storefront agencies—are the fastest growing segment in our industry. So leaving them out of the statistics is very misleading when it comes to a travel agent career outlook!

So, how many travel agents are really out there?

ASTA reported that their trade organization and their affiliates represent 160,000 travel advisors in the United States according to its 2023 fact sheet. This includes employees and those self-employed advisors the BLS missed. 

4. Is There Money in a Travel Agent Career?

A travel agent career isn't a career unless you can actually make a living off it, right? And I’m happy to report that yes, you can make money as a travel advisor! You can read up on how much travel agents make in its very own article!

Our 2023 travel advisor research reports found, 81% of advisors reported their 2022 sales increased from the prior year. 77% of all advisors reported their 2022 sales have recovered to pre-pandemic levels. (We'll have 2023 data when our reports come out Fall 2024)

What levels are advisors trying to recover to? In 2019, the average income for full-time experienced hosted (self-employed) advisors was at an all-time high, $64,377.

For those looking for their travel agent career to take the employee route, our 2023 Travel Advisor Employee Report found that employees earned $51,727. Those employees that were paid salary + commission brought home $88,909.

But ultimately, it's not all about money. A travel agent career has amazing perks, like special travel agent rates and FAM trips to amazing places.

It offers the chance to travel to beautiful destinations, meet amazing people, and a chance to travel and get paid (or when appropriate, write off your travel expenses ). Have you read our story from our ATMEX trip ? Heat not your thing? How about Alaska ?

It's also worth mentioning that a travel agent career can include freedom and flexibility in addition to travel perks if you go the self-employed route.

5. You're Biased Because You Love Travel Agents, Right?

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 20% career growth for travel advisors over the next decade (2021-2031), which is “much faster than the average for all occupations."

We are biased, and we do love travel agents and we think a travel agent career is a great route for travel planners. :) So let's bring in some opinions from media outlets who aren't necessarily on Team Travel Agent.

Forbes recently touted the value of the advisor. Media giants like The Boston Globe , Consumer Reports , Wall Street Journal , and Barron's also show a travel agent career is viable.

Data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projected a 3% career growth over the next decade (2022-2032), which is "about as fast as the average for all occupations".

But! The April 2023 projection was a 20% career growth for travel advisors over the next decade (2021-2031), which is “much faster than the average for all occupations".

As a travel industry insider, I can tell you there is a SERIOUS travel advisor shortage with the unprecedented demand for travel agents. And remember, the BLS growth numbers are just looking at travel agent career growth when it comes to employees , not the tens of thousands that are self-employed and start their own agencies.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

I want to do one final humble analogy. I bought a foreclosed duplex many years ago, a real fixer-upper. It had a total of 19 rooms—splashed with colors varying from blood red with sparkling gold trim to eggplant purple. It was hideous.

You know the saying, "You don't know what you don't know?" That was me.

When you're not an expert, you're too unskilled to realize it.

I'm a novice painter but after my first few rooms, I was feeling pretty proud of my accomplishments. Then, a peculiar thing happened. As I continued painting, I was learning enough to realize my paint jobs weren't—GASP!—professional! I made mistakes that would have been common sense to a pro and my end results were nowhere near professional.

After painting all 19 rooms, I became more efficient, better at painting, and much more appreciative of the skills required of professional painters. When it came to painting skills, there was a huge divide between me and a professional painter—I had a long way to go to even come close to being an expert!

The same goes for a travel agent career. You can book it yourself, but until it's something you do day in and day out, you can't appreciate what a real pro does.

Someone that books travel all the time knows the nuances of travel and the tools to book it well. Travel agents know what to do, who to get it from, how to get the best deal, and how to avoid mistakes that would otherwise tank a bucket-list trip. 

Want to Try Out a Travel Agent Career?

A travel agent career means you live, eat, and sleep travel. If that's you, we have just the thing for you! If you're interested in a travel agent career, check out what it takes to become a travel agent .

If you're ready to start your own travel agency, our 7 Day Setup Accelerator course gives you digestible, bite-sized nuggets and resources to walk you all the way through that seed of an idea to a bona fide travel agency. We help you get set up faster, with the support you need from a team with decades of experience in the industry.

Here you came to learn about the prospects of a travel agent career and before you know it, you've decided to start your own travel agency! Gotta love the internet. 🙂

• Source: ASTA 2023 Press Kit ↩
• Source: 2023 ASTA Consumer Survey ↩
• Source: CLIA State of the Cruise Industry 2023 ↩
• Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics , May 1, 2024 ↩

About the Author

Steph grew up in the travel industry, helping on and off with her mom's homebased travel agency. She has worked with thousands of agents in her role as a former host agency director before leaving in 2012 to start HAR. She's insatiably curious, loves her pups Fennec and Orion, and -- in case you haven't noticed -- is pretty quirky and free-spirited.

If you’re looking for Steph, she leaves a trace where ever she goes! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (her fav) and Pinterest as 'iamstephly'. 🙂 You can also catch her on her Substack, Bumblin' Around, where she writes on things outside the world of HAR.

• Still Exploring
• Travel Agent Basics
• Travel Industry Basics

Join the next generation of travel advisors

Build a business doing what you love — on your own terms..

Fora is redefining what it means to be a travel advisor. Cue more flexibility, more inclusion and more support for travel-loving entrepreneurs who want to build a business on their own terms.

Our diverse, inclusive & engaged global community is designed to make you feel welcome.

Live networking events across the country

Community app for collaboration and support, weekly online community & partner events, mentorship, fam trips & site visits.

Start booking trips the day you join, with a best-in-class training curriculum developed by industry experts.

Access to recorded lessons, getting what you need when you need it

Learn alongside your community from experienced advisors, 40+ hours of live, small-group training, certification programs to guide your learning journey.

Partnerships

You'll benefit from our decades of experience in the industry, to unlock perks & upgrades for your clients at hotels around the world.

Preferred partnerships and invite-only memberships with hotel brands

Perks at over 4,500 hotels and cruises worldwide, increased commission at partner properties, exclusive rates.

We've got data-driven marketing resources and shareable assets to make you look like a star.

Your own @fora.travel email address

A dedicated profile page on fora's website, designer-made email & social media templates, client-development tips and best practices.

We’re using the latest technology to build tools that make being a travel advisor easier than ever.

IATA # (license to sell travel)

All-in-one booking platform, client management tools, client card collection & storage.

We handle every aspect of getting you paid — so you can focus on the fun part.

Commission payouts every two weeks

Commission & payment collection, partner invoicing & admin support, net rate & planning fee collection, curious about building your business booking travel with fora, select a booking example to see how much you could earn.

Your best friend’s hotel staycation

Your parents’ cruise

Your colleague’s safari

Your custom adventure

Booking Cost

Commission Rate *

Commission Earned

You Keep 70%

* Commission levels differ by travel partner, typically ranging from 10-25% and averaging ~12%. Most of that commission (70%) goes straight to you, the advisor. The remainder supports Fora's behind-the-scenes work invoicing partners and chasing commission checks to ultimately ensure timely payment to our advisors.

Ready to get started?

Join the next generation of travel advisors and start earning on your bookings. Apply to become a For a Advisor in three simple steps (pro tip: most applications are accepted within a week!).

Submit your email & take our survey so we can get to know each other.

Once accepted, sign up for one of our membership plans. We have both annual and monthly options.

Book Travel

Start building your travel business with For a booking travel and tapping into our vast resources to set yourself up for success!

We think we're great, and turns out, so do a lot of other pretty important people

Featured in.

Travel Advisor

Pamela murphy.

Fallon Alexandria

Rabia Malik

Choose a membership option that works best for your business..

Book just $360/month in travel and you’ll cover your subscription fees. Everything after that is your profit to keep.

• BEST VALUE: Save 50%
• Start at 70% commission split
• Live training and mentorship
• Access to 4,500+ preferred partners
• Custom marketing tools
• Global community of travel pros

Take the first steps to become a Fora Advisor

Enter your email to get started. Next, you'll take a survey to share more about yourself.

We weren't loving the old travel advisor model, so we built something better

Old-school agencies, apply to join fora today & get everything you need to succeed.

Share your email below to kick off your application process.

Still have questions? We got you.

What is a fora advisor is it the same as a travel advisor or travel agent.

The terms travel agent and travel advisor are used interchangeably. The original term was ‘travel agent,’ but the industry has gone through a bit of a rebrand to showcase the breadth of work that a travel advisor does. We use both! 

Personally, we like to think of Fora Advisors as next-generation travel agents. Sure, we earn money by selling and booking trips, but it’s so much more than a transaction. Fora Advisors are consultants and advocates for their clients. We work with clients to understand their vacation needs and handle all the travel arrangements, from booking a staycation to planning a honeymoon. 

A Fora Advisor has access to all of Fora’s training resources, including seamless technology (which makes booking a breeze) and access to specialists with destination expertise. Even better, Fora Advisors don’t have to worry about tracking commission payments or invoicing travel partners. We handle all of that, so our advisors can focus on what they love: building their business in travel.

What does a travel agent (a.k.a. Fora Advisor) do?

A travel agent is someone who sells, curates and books travel, typically working under a host agency (like Fora). Travel agents consult with clients on where to go, what to do and where to stay — and earn commission from booking hotels, cruises, experiences and more. In addition to planning and booking trips, agents communicate with hotels and other partners (tour companies, cruises, etc.) to ensure each trip goes smoothly.

How do I become a travel agent? Do I get a travel agent license?

Fora is a host agency and all of our advisors are automatically licensed to sell, book and plan travel as soon as they join our membership program. Fora offers turn-key infrastructure, tools and resources to get you set up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor, including expert-led training, commission tracking and payments, seamless tech to make bookings a breeze and more.

The first step to become a travel agent is to apply to join Fora . Enter your email on this page and you’ll be prompted with a survey to tell us more about yourself. Once you apply, we’ll be in touch if it’s a good fit. From there, you’ll be able to sign up with our membership program and start booking from day one.

Where do travel agents work?

Some travel agents work in an office, but Fora Advisors can work from anywhere (the flexibility we offer is one of the reasons our advisors love us). All you need is a passion for travel, a WiFi connection, an entrepreneurial mindset and a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude — and a few potential clients in your network don't hurt either. Whether you’re looking for a flexible way to monetize your love for travel, looking to build a travel business or are a seasoned veteran in the industry, you can call Fora home.

What types of travel can I book as a Fora Advisor?

Some Fora Advisors focus solely on booking hotels, while others offer full itinerary planning including and on-the-ground experiences (tours, activities, transportation…). In addition to hotels, advisors can book villas, cruises, yacht charters, vacation packages, all-inclusives, car rentals, travel insurance and private aviation.

Where do travel advisors book trips to?

If you can dream it, you can book it. Our advisors book vacations to Costa Rica (a community favorite), Paris , Montana , all around the Caribbean , Australia and beyond. No destination is off-limits (yes, Fora Advisors even book travel to Antarctica ).

What kinds of travel partnerships does Fora have?

Fora has partnered with more than 5,000 hotels, meaning our advisors have access to exclusive upgrades & perks at 5,000+ properties around the world, many of which belong to prestigious collections including Virtuoso , Four Seasons , Rosewood and more . We work with both high-end luxury partners as well as lifestyle boutique partners. At Fora, it’s all about meeting your clients where they're at.

How do Fora Advisors get paid?

Fora travel advisors get paid by earning commissions from their clients' trips — usually from hotel and travel bookings. Travel partners typically pay the agent 10 to 15 percent of the total cost, but sometimes more (depending on the brand and type of partner). 

Unlike other agencies (where travel advisors frequently have to chase their own commission), we're proud to offer a full-service, backend commission-management department. We pay out commission once your client has finished their trip. The process is seamless, but don't just take our word for it: hear directly from Fora Advisor in .

What is Fora's commission split?

Fora Advisors take home the majority (70 percent) of each commission, and Fora keeps a small portion (30 percent) as the host agency. After you book more than $300k in commissionable travel in a calendar year, the split changes to 80/20.

Are there minimum bookings?

At Fora, never. You're empowered to book in accordance with your schedule, and on your own terms.

How quickly can I start booking?

Right away! Once you’ve signed up and joined an onboarding call, you will be set up with our IATA number and can start selling ASAP. No need to wait.

I am a travel content creator. Can I join Fora?

Yes! Booking travel is a great way for creators to expand on their travel income streams. It is important to note that the role of a Fora Advisor is rooted in planning and booking travel, which is different from an affiliate program.

I am already a professional travel advisor. Can I join Fora?

Of course! As professional travel advisors ourselves, we’re excited to welcome experienced travel agents to our community. We’re advisor-centric to our core, so there’s something here for everyone, no matter where you are on your advisor journey.

Is Fora a multi-level marketing (MLM) company?

Nope! We never require advisors to recruit other advisors, and our advisors’ earnings come from booking travel. Advisors don’t profit off of anyone else’s bookings. Fora Advisors are independent contractors and earn commissions on their own, without any contingencies, limits or minimums. And, advisors can cancel their Fora subscription and stop booking at any time. No questions asked.

Does Fora have E&O insurance?

Yes. Fora has E&O Insurance coverage that extends to you upon joining.

Do I need an LLC to join Fora?

As part of joining Fora, you will be a 1099 independent contractor. You do not need to have an LLC to sign up with Fora. Should you want to, though, you can onboard with Fora as an LLC, rather than an individual contractor.

How much does Fora's subscription plan cost?

We charge advisors a monthly ($49) or annual ($299) subscription fee, which includes the cost of Fora’s technology platforms, certified training, admin support and our community app. We’ll set you up with everything you need to succeed, from your first booking to your 1,000th and beyond.

How do I get started?

Sign up! Enter your email on this page and you’ll be prompted to complete a detailed survey on your travel style and experience. If you meet our criteria, we'll get you onboarded and show you the ropes, so you can start booking travel in no time.

The job market for travel agents in the United States

There are currently an estimated 81,700 travel agents in the United States. The travel agent job market is expected to shrink by -11.6% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are travel agents?

CareerExplorer rates travel agents with a F employability rating, meaning this career should provide poor employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will lose -3,400 travel agents. That number is based on the retirement of 6,100 existing travel agents.

Are travel agents in demand?

The factor most impacting the job outlook and demand for travel agents is the internet. Easy public online access to airline and travel websites has transformed the entire industry. With more consumers researching and planning their own trips and making their own reservations, travel agents are, by necessity, reinventing the way they conduct business. One of the results of this new reality has been the move to specialization. In the current marketplace, the best chances for success will belong to travel agents who specialize in a certain destination or area of the world; a specific kind of traveler, such as ethnic groups or special interest groups; or a particular segment of the industry, such as cruise, luxury, or adventure travel. Those with exemplary customer service skills will be in particular demand, as the limiting of commission payments to agencies by airlines has led the industry to a fee-for-service business model, placing greater scrutiny on service levels provided by travel agents. Despite the trend towards self-booking, there will continue to be consumers who still prefer to consult a professional travel agent to plan their trips and certainly to handle customized itineraries and more complex transactions. In addition, for some consumers the sheer number of travel websites can be overwhelming, causing them to turn to trained agents to sort through options and make recommendations. Increasing affordability of air travel and greater competition among airlines, especially low-cost carriers, may also help to sustain jobs in the field. But in the end, demand for travel agents is steered by demand for travel. And demand for travel declines during economic downturns and international political crises, factors which are by nature unpredictable. As global business activity expands, corporate travel agents may be less impacted by these circumstances than their counterparts in the leisure sector.

What’s the supply of travel agents?

The travel agent industry is concentrated in California, Florida, New York

Travel Agent job market by state

Thanks for starting your application to {{companyName}}.

To complete your application you must do one of the following:

Forward an email from your mobile device with your resume attached to {{fromEmail}}

Reply to this email from your laptop or desktop computer with your resume attached.

Thank you for your interest, The Recruiting Team

Reply to this email from your laptop or desktop computer with your cover letter attached.

In order to create an account with us and submit applications for positions with our company you must read the following Terms and Agreements and select to agree before registering.

In the event that you do not accept our Terms and Agreements you will not be able to submit applications for positions with our company.

You agree to the storage of all personal information, applications, attachments and draft applications within our system. Your personal and application data and any attached text or documentation are retained by Jibe Apply in accordance with our record retention policy and applicable laws.

You agree that all personal information, applications, attachments and draft applications created by you may be used by us for our recruitment purposes, including for automated job matching. It is specifically agreed that we will make use of all personal information, applications, attachments and draft applications for recruitment purposes only and will not make this information available to any third party unconnected with the our recruitment processes.

Your registration and access to our Careers Web Site indicates your acceptance of these Terms and Agreements.

Dear ${user.firstName},

Thanks for choosing to apply for a job with ${client.display.name}! Please verify ownership of your email address by clicking this link .

Alternatively, you can verify your account by pasting this URL into your browser: ${page.url}?id=${user.id}&ptoken=${user.token}

Please note that your job application will not be submitted to ${client.display.name} until you have successfully verified ownership of your email address.

The ${client.display.name} Recruiting Team

• Vertical moves : Get promoted to a higher level of your current position.
• Horizontal moves : Move to a new role at the same level of responsibility.
• Leadership position : Take on additional responsibilities and manage a team.
• Gain new expertise : Gain expertise and experience not necessarily related to your current position.

This will help the HR Team to recommend you the right position.

Nice to meet you. 👋

Lets quickly set up your profile

to start having tailored recommendations.

You agree to the storage of all personal information, applications, attachments and draft applications within our system. Your personal and application data and any attached text or documentation are retained by Sequoia Apply in accordance with our record retention policy and applicable laws.

This career site protects your privacy by adhering to the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We will not use your data for any purpose to which you do not consent.

We store anonymized interaction data in an aggregated form about visitors and their experiences on our site using cookies and tracking mechanisms. We use this data to fix site defects and improve the general user experience.

We request use of your data for the following purposes:

Job Application Data

This site may collect sensitive personal information as a necessary part of a job application. The data is collected to support one or more job applications, or to match you to future job opportunities. This data is stored and retained for a default period of 12 months to support job matching or improve the user experience for additional job applications. The data for each application is transferred to the Applicant Tracking System in order to move the application through the hiring process. \nYou have the right to view, update, delete, export, or restrict further processing of your job application data. To exercise these rights, you can e-mail us at [email protected] . \nConversion Tracking \nWe store anonymized data on redirects to the career site that is used to measure the effectiveness of other vendors in sourcing job candidates.

Need More Information?

See our Application Process/FAQs and Technical Guidelines for help applying for Marriott Jobs

Learn about our J-1 Visa Program and F-1 Visa Program

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.

Marriott International does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.

Marriott participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program. E-VERIFY ENGLISH/SPANISH RIGHT TO WORK ENGLISH/SPANISH

EEO Notices

• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
• Pay Transparency
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

US Notices Accessibility Assistance

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance completing the online application, please call 301-581-1400. Please leave a message and a member of our Human Resources team will return your call within three business days. Alternatively, an email may be sent to [email protected] . Please be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject line of the email. Please note that this phone number and email are only for those individuals who would like to request an accommodation to apply for a job.

© 1996-2024 Marriott International, Inc. All rights reserved. Marriott proprietary information.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Statement

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

Shop The Sale

Today's Best Travel Deals

Last minute deals, september deals.

These deals won't last long

Save on tours departing soon

Save on top tours in our most popular travel month.

See All September Deals

Popular searches

Domestic Trips

See America in a new light

Vacations under 14 days

Limited availability. Selling fast.

Today's best travel deals

Save now. Don't miss out. 

Offers for travel groups of 9+

Save when you book 9+ guests

Past guest benefits

Savings with Global Tour Rewards

Tours under $2000

Browse our value vacations

All Last Minute Deals

Simply the best and most relevant way to travel

Everything Taken Care of

Value for Money

100+ Years of Travel Expertise

We MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Looking for inspiration?

Order or download your free brochure

The top 10 'travelling solo' myths debunked

The power of shared experiences: how travel bonds us together

Why September is the perfect time to visit Italy

Got questions? Find your answer in our popular FAQs >

See All Destinations

See happy guests traveling now #simplyTrafalgar

We are the world's most loved tour company.

Ready to be inspired?

Get your free brochure and plan your next escape.

Request a Brochure

5 million happy guests...

...and counting. See what our past guests have to say.

Read Reviews

Learn More >>

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Travel Insurance

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Visitors to the Fox Cities supported 4,947 jobs. Here's what to know about visitor spending in 2023

An increase in visitors in the Fox Cities directly supported 4,947 jobs in the cities' tourism industry.

The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau earlier this month released data recounting 2023's visitor spending, which says its up 2.3% over the previous year.

Here's six things to know about the data, and what it means for the region:

How did 2023 stack up?

Fox Cities visitors spent $571 million in the area in 2023, a 2.3% — or $13 million — increase over 2022.

The spending pushed the total economic impact of tourism to about $748 million, according to the bureau.

What do we mean when we say 'visitor spending'?

Spending by visitors to the city is tracked in five categories: lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreation and entertainment and transportation. There was an increase in all of the categories except for lodging, which decreased by .1%.

“The growth is a testament to the Fox Cities lodging and hospitality industries and the incredible experiences available to visitors at our attractions and events,” the bureau's executive director, Pam Seidl, said.

How many jobs did visitor spending support in the Fox Cities?

Because of the increase, 4,947 jobs were directly sustained because of tourism. When you include those indirectly supported, that number increases to 6,783.

About 30% of the $571 million came in through food and beverage, with lodging and retail bringing in 21.4% and 21.2%, respectively. Recreation and entertainment accounted for 15.2% of the spending, and transportation was responsible for 12.2%.

How does this spending compare to pre-pandemic levels?

The spending is $60 million more than the cities saw in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic soured Wisconsinites' desire to travel for a few years.

Which events drew the most visitors in 2023?

According to Seidl, youth sports tournaments, such as volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, softball and basketball generate the most tourism for the Fox Cities.

“The third quarter is always our strongest, bolstered by EAA's AirVenture (in Oshkosh) and early season Packer Games, Mile of Music and Octoberfest play into this bump as well," she said. "Overall, our tourism spending is less seasonal that other Wisconsin destinations as we tend to have a variety of tourism-generating activity year-round."

The Fox Cities also has many summertime activities listed on the bureau’s website including drive-in movie theatres, baseball games and farmers markets.

Is visitor spending expected to rise next year, when the NFL Draft comes to Green Bay?

Seidl also offered insights on her prediction of a drastic growth due to the NFL Draft being hosted in Green Bay at Lambeau Field in 2025.

“We are still gathering data from other host cities, but it seems that the three to four nights during the Draft will be very strong, similar to a Packer home game weekend or EAA week,” Siedl said.

Contact Abra Richardson at [email protected] .

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Visitors to the Fox Cities supported 4,947 jobs. Here's what to know about visitor spending in 2023

• Destinations
• For Agencies

Our goal is to provide the highest quality services to make your clients fall in love with Russia.

Whether you are looking to get the most out of a tight budget or prefer premium luxury when discovering Russia, Olta Travel will be your perfect partner.

Let us make your tour to Russia a memorable experience, so you can enjoy a worry-free journey!

• FROM BIG GROUPS TO INDIVIDUALS: we craft a tailored offer for almost any budget, thanks to our distributed network of trusted partners, direct connections with service providers and our own profound knowledge of destinations in Russia. 
• TOP SERVICE GUARANTEE:  We take care of everything to secure travelers’ satisfaction and are prepared to deal with unexpected issues should they arise.
• COMFORTABLE PRICING:  Olta Travel keeps the cost of discovering Russia at a fair, reasonable level because we love our country and seek to share this love with you.
• NATION-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS : based on our experience working with tourists from all parts of the world, we know how to surprise and amaze your compatriots with Russia.

PRIVACY POLICY ON THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

This Policy of personal data processing (hereinafter - the Policy) applies to all data that "OLTA Travel" Co. Ltd (hereinafter – Olta Travel) receives from the visitors of website http://www.oltatravel.com (hereinafter "the Website") and explains how it is processing, stored and how the confidentiality is ensured.

1. Processing and use of personal data.

1.1. In this Policy, personal information means any information left by users on the Website of Olta Travel, including Name, Surname, company, email address and other contact information, left in the message.

1.2. The person who left personal data on the Website of Olta Travel, consents to their use, namely:

1.2.1. The inclusion of the email address, name, surname, company name or any other contact information left in the message in the contact database of Olta Travel. The database is hosted in a secure cloud-based customer relationship management service Bitrix 24, as well as on a secure service for newsletters – Unisender.

1.2.2. Receiving email newsletters with news, promotions, special offers and other useful materials, but no more than twice a week. The visitor of the Website at any time has the right to unsubscribe from the mailing list of Olta Travel, by clicking on the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of each letter.

1.2.3. Direct communication with the manager of Olta travel on the treatment of the user.

1.2.4. The use of contact information to show relevant advertisements to users in social networks and the Internet.

1.2.5. For other purposes performed with the individual consent of the user.

2. The collection, storage and protection of personal data.

2.1. All personal data collected on the Website is processed, stored and secured in strict accordance with the provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation (Federal law of the Russian Federation of 27 July 2006 № 152-FL "On personal data") and the European Union (The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679).

2.2. Olta Travel is taking the necessary legal, organizational and technical measures to protect personal information from unlawful or accidental access, copying, distribution of personal information, as well as other unlawful actions in relation to personal data of users, which include:

•     secure transfer and storage of personal data on secure servers;

•     automated processing of personal data;

•     identification of possible threats to the security of personal data;

•     limiting the number of persons having access to personal data;

•     application of measures of internal regulation of the procedure of working with personal data (internal regulations for employees of Olta Travel);

•     improving methods of collection, storage and processing of data.

2.3. All data received on the Website of Olta Travel are transmitted via a secure https Protocol and stored on servers in secure, cloud-based customer relationship management service Bitrix 24, as well as in safe service for creating email newsletters Unisender.

3. User rights and obligations of Olta Travel.

3.1. Upon the request from the user Olta Travel should:

•        confirm the fact and methods of storage and processing of personal data of users;

•        inform about the method of obtaining personal data of the user;

•        explain the legal bases, objectives and timing of the processing of personal data;

•        in case of personal data leakage, inform the user about it;

•        make changes or delete users ' personal data from the database to stop storing and processing it;

•        warn about the expected cross-border transfer of personal data.

3.2. The user has the right to request the deletion of his personal data by sending an e-mail to [email protected] as well as the exclusion from the email-mailing by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" button located in the body of each letter.

4. Conditions of termination of processing and storage of personal data:

•       company liquidation;

•       a written request for withdrawal of consent or exclusion from the database;

•       at the request of the user, if the data were obtained illegally.

5. Olta Travel is not responsible for information posted by a visitor on the third party websites, links to which can be posted on the Website of Olta Travel.

6. More information about the collection, storage and processing of personal data by Olta Travel, the user may get by sending an email to [email protected] .

• MyNewMarkets.com
• Claims Journal
• Insurance Journal TV
• Academy of Insurance
• Carrier Management

Featured Stories

• $29B Weed Market Faces Legal Hurdles
• QBE to Non-Renew $500M of N.A. Mid-Market Biz

Current Magazine

• Read Online

Big ‘I’ Report: Independent Agency Channel Placed 62% of Premiums in 2023

The independent agents placed more than 62% of all property/casualty insurance written in the U.S., according to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”).

The association’s 2024 Market Share Report said independent agents have high penetration rates in commercial lines, with “room for growth” in personal lines.

Exclusive or captive agents and direct sales accounted for 21% and 16%, respectively, of premium placements in 2023, according to the report.

Total P/C direct written premiums reached $952 billion in 2023, up from $861 billion in 2022. Overall, the independent agency channel placed 87% of commercial lines premiums in 2023, and 39% of personal lines—up a point from 2022. Since 2019, the percentage of placements by independent agents has gone up a point in personal lines, where they face the most competition from exclusive/captive agents (35% of placements in 2023) and direct sales (25%).

Independent agents wrote nearly 33% of private passenger auto and more than half of homeowners muti-peril premiums in 2023. Among the top 10 lines of business, the highest penetration rate was workers’ compensation, at 91%.

“Despite the significant challenges posed by the hard market, independent agencies’ market share held steady and even continued making gains in key lines—a testament to the strength of the independent agency channel,” says Charles Symington, Big “I” president & CEO. “In this current environment, choice is more important to customers than ever before, and independent agents continue to prove themselves as trusted advisors for their clients and indispensable partners in the insurance marketplace.”

The use of surplus lines grew in all states, said Big I. Five years ago, about 6.2% of premiums went to surplus lines carriers. In 2023, 9.4% went to these unregulated carriers.

Turning to commissions, the 2023 average rate in the U.S. was 11.4%—matching the 5-year average—with the highest commission rate in the District of Columbia (13.8%) and the lowest in Delaware (9.9%). By line of business, the highest commission rate was in surety, at nearly 27%. The lowest was private passenger auto and excess workers’ comp—7.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Homeowners multiperil paid 12.4% commission.

The report compiles and analyzes property/casualty premium data from AM Best and provides insights for agencies and carriers on current market shares by distribution types.

Topics Trends Agencies

Was this article valuable?

Thank you! Please tell us what we can do to improve this article.

Thank you! % of people found this article valuable. Please tell us what you liked about it.

Here are more articles you may enjoy.

Written By Chad Hemenway

Chad is National News Editor at Insurance Journal. He has been covering the insurance industry since 2007, reporting on trends and coverage in most lines of insurance as well as natural catastrophes, modeling, regulation, legislation, and litigation. Chad can be reached at [email protected]

Latest Posts:

• Dellwood Insurance Files to Dismiss ‘Insufficient’ Case Brought by AIG
• Zurich to Buy AIG’s Travel Insurance Business for $600 Million
• Dellwood Specialty Gets A- Rating From AM Best

Interested in Agencies ?

Get automatic alerts for this topic.

• Categories: National News Topics: Big "I" , Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America , Research and Trends
• Have a hot lead? Email us at [email protected]

Insurance Jobs

• Senior Technology Engineer (Continuous Integration) - Atlanta, GA
• Workers Compensation Return to Work Adjuster - Richardson, TX
• Underwriter – Workers Compensation – REMOTE - Remote
• Field Auto Adjuster – Framingham, MA - Framingham, MA
• Operations Manager, Service Operations - Hartford, CT

• Cyber Risk Strategies to Minimize Business Disruption, Control Liability and Litigation Exposure
• D&O Risks to Consider When Exploring the New Frontier of Gen AI
• Securing Life Insurance Alternatives for Clients in War Risk Zones
• Property Restoration Industry: A Culture in Need of Repair?
• Underwriters' Dilemma: Is AI a Cyber or Tech E&O Risk?

• 'Great Resignation' Enters Third Year as Workers Embrace AI, Upskilling
• Volkswagen Recalling 307K Vehicles Over Air Bag Sensor Wiring
• Crypto Firm Abra Reaches $82M Settlement for Operating Without Licenses
• Connecticut Firefighters Sue Dupont, 3M, Honeywell Over Allegedly Contaminated Gear
• Report: 1K-Plus Properties Damaged, Destroyed in New Mexico Wildfires Could Cost $370M

• June 27 Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership
• July 11 Cyber Liability in 2024: The Expanding Need for Coverage
• July 18 HO-14: More Than a Mature HO-4
• July 25 Climate Change Challenges for the Insurance World

• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• Best for adventure traveling
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in July 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024 Summary

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance
• Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for Adventure Sports :  World Nomads Travel Insurance

Top Travel Insurance Companies Comparison

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up

Axa assistance usa.

AXA offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

Travel guard.

AIG is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review .

Best Travel Insurance for Reputation

C&f travel insured.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review . 

Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Tin leg travel insurance.

Tin Leg is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

Worldtrips travel insurance.

WorldTrips has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Affordability

Trawick international travel insurance.

Trawick is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review .

Best for Adventure Traveling

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads distinguishes itself from others by covering over 300 sports and activities, from skydiving to golf. Additionally, its one of the few travel insurance companies that allow you to purchase after departing for your destination. However, you'll have a 72-hour waiting period before coverage kicks in.

That said, World Nomads doesn't have the highest coverage limits compared to its competitors on this list. It also doesn't have the most customization, only providing two plans to choose from with no options for pre-existing condition coverage. Yet, World Nomads still stands out for its sports coverage and post-departure coverage.

Read our World Nomads review .

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage of canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to make sure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, you should consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

For adventure sports coverage, you'll want to look at World Nomads , which covers over 300 sports.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content

Temporarily suspends all domestic flight

Bangkok airways temporarily suspends all domestic flights between 7-30 april 2020. passengers can request for a full refund via www.bangkokair.com/refund or contact our ticketing offices or call bangkok airways’s call center on 1771 or tel. +662 270 6699. for passengers who purchased their tickets via travel agency, please contact their travel agency directly..

FlyerBonus Member Sign in

Please enter your flyerbonus id and password, forgot flyerbonus id, forgot password, book a flight, book a flight to start your journey with us, managing my booking, view and change your bangkok airways flight itinerary, flight schedule, check our flight schedule to best suit your travel plan, online booking guideline, guideline to a hassle-free booking process, route network, where we fly you to our hand-picked destinations, cargo and charter services, facilitate diverse types of air transportation, travel guide.

FLIGHT DEALS

Latest flight deals to our hand-picked destinations, special deals, special than ever with our promotional deals, additional services.

Check out the interesting content and notification we highlighted for you

Our various channels of check-in are simple and time-saving, find out all about baggage, special services, have a glance at our special assistance services, boutique services, check out the next level of our exclusive service, airport lounge, take pleasure in every corner of our lounges, our codeshare partners, embark on a seamless travel experience with our esteemed partner airlines, travel document, ensure to prepare travel documents for your smooth journey, company information, get to know more information about us, our vision and policy, travel agent, all that travel agent need to know for our booking policies, announcement & news, stay informed on our moves. what, when and where we do it, legal notice, legal terms and conditions can be found here, corporate sales, our corporate travel program for your business, join our team, be part of our team with opportunities ahead, our support, let us know if you encounter any problems, investor relations, beyond an airline company, see what makes us an integrated aviation business, locations where you can find us.

START YOUR TRIP

Offer & promotion, enhance your trip.

• Hotel Offers
• Transportation
• Travel Insurance
• Other Services

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Press release, bangkok airways soars to new heights: wins 2024 skytrax world airline awards for “world’s best regional airline” and “best regional airline in asia” for 8th year running, london, uk / 25 june 2024 – bangkok airways public company limited has been awarded the titles of the world’s best regional airline and best regional airline in asia for 2024 at the skytrax world airline awards. this marks the eighth consecutive year that bangkok airways has received these prestigious awards, reflecting its commitment to delivering exceptional service and excellence recognized in the global aviation industry. in addition, bangkok airways is also ranked 27th in the top 100 world's best airlines category. the skytrax world airline awards, often referred to as the "oscars of the aviation industry," are a global benchmark of airline excellence. these awards are based on passenger satisfaction surveys, evaluating over 350 airlines worldwide across various performance indicators. mr. puttipong prasarttong-osoth, president of bangkok airways public company limited, expressed his gratitude during the award ceremony in london, saying, “we are immensely proud to receive these prestigious awards for the eighth consecutive year. being named the world’s best regional airline and best regional airline in asia is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our management and staff who continually strive to enhance service quality and provide exceptional travel experiences to our passengers. i extend my heartfelt thanks to our passengers for their unwavering support and trust, which motivate us to deliver the best service possible.” bangkok airways has been honored with the world’s best regional airline award a total of eight times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024) and asia’s best regional airline award twelve times (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024). additionally, the airline was recognized as southeast asia’s best regional airline in 2006 and 2007.  , 25 june 2024.

How IBM helps Wimbledon use generative AI to drive personalised fan engagement

This collaboration with Wimbledon teams extends beyond the fan-facing digital platform, into enterprise-wide transformation.

Re-evaluating data management in the generative AI age

4 min read - A good place to start is refreshing the way organizations govern data, particularly as it pertains to its usage in generative AI solutions.

Top 7 risks to your identity security posture

5 min read - Identity misconfigurations and blind spots stand out as critical concerns that undermine an organization’s identity security posture.

Intesa Sanpaolo and IBM secure digital transactions with fully homomorphic encryption

6 min read - Explore how European bank Intesa Sanpaolo and IBM partnered to deliver secure digital transactions using fully homomorphic encryption.

What is AI risk management?

8 min read - AI risk management is the process of identifying, mitigating and addressing the potential risks associated with AI technologies.

June 27, 2024

IBM announces new AI assistant and feature innovations at Think 2024

June 26, 2024

A major upgrade to Db2® Warehouse on IBM Cloud®

June 25, 2024

Increase efficiency in asset lifecycle management with Maximo Application Suite’s new AI-power...

Achieving operational efficiency through Instana’s Intelligent Remediation

June 24, 2024

Manage the routing of your observability log and event data 

Best practices for augmenting human intelligence with AI

2 min read - Enabling participation in the AI-driven economy to be underpinned by fairness, transparency, explainability, robustness and privacy. 

Microcontrollers vs. microprocessors: What’s the difference?

6 min read - Microcontroller units (MCUs) and microprocessor units (MPUs) are two kinds of integrated circuits that, while similar in certain ways, are very different in many others.

Mastering budget control in the age of AI: Leveraging on-premises and cloud XaaS for success 

2 min read - As organizations harness the power of AI while controlling costs, leveraging anything as a service (XaaS) models emerges as strategic.

Highlights by topic

Use IBM Watsonx’s AI or build your own machine learning models

Automate IT infrastructure management

Cloud-native software to secure resources and simplify compliance

Run code on real quantum systems using a full-stack SDK

Aggregate and analyze large datasets

Store, query and analyze structured data

Manage infrastructure, environments and deployments

Run workloads on hybrid cloud infrastructure

Responsible AI can revolutionize tax agencies to improve citizen services

Generative AI can revolutionize tax administration and drive toward a more personalized and ethical future.

How IBM and AWS are partnering to deliver the promise of responsible AI

4 min read - This partnership between IBM and Amazon SageMaker is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping responsible AI practices across industries

Speed, scale and trustworthy AI on IBM Z with Machine Learning for IBM z/OS v3.2 

4 min read - Machine Learning for IBM® z/OS® is an AI platform made for IBM z/OS environments, combining data and transaction gravity with AI infusion.

The recipe for RAG: How cloud services enable generative AI outcomes across industries

4 min read - While the AI is the key component of the RAG framework, other “ingredients” such as PaaS solutions are integral to the mix

Rethink IT spend in the age of generative AI

3 min read - It's critical for organizations to consider frameworks like FinOps and TBM for visibility and accountability of all tech expenditure.

6 hard truths CEOs must confront in the generative AI era

5 min read - A call to action for CEOs to confront the realities of generative AI and to seize its potential for your organization.

Immutable backup strategies with cloud storage

4 min read - IBM Cloud Object Storage is a versatile and scalable solution that is crucial for storing and protecting data backups.

IBM Newsletters

Ukraine war latest: Russia says it is considering nuclear shift - and tells West it is 'playing with fire'; US leads drills after North Korea warhead test

A senior Russian diplomat says Putin is reviewing the country's nuclear doctrine - and warns the West it is "playing with fire". Meanwhile, a Russian navy missile cruiser carries out drills in the Mediterranean. Listen to a Sky News podcast on Putin and North Korea while you scroll.

Thursday 27 June 2024 17:38, UK

• US warned of 'dangerous illusions' as Russia mulls change in nuclear stance
• EU signs security agreement with Ukraine in Brussels
• Ukraine receives latest EU financial support package worth £1.6bn
• N Korea tests multiple warhead missile - as US leads drills after Putin-Kim pact
• Your questions answered : Has the West been honest about Ukraine's failures?
• Big picture : What you need to know this week
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Ask a question or make a comment

While the apparent gains made by Russia during its spring offensive in Kharkiv were the focus of much of the news coverage of the way in May, a new report indicates any progress made by Vladimir Putin's troops came at a significant cost.

According to UK and other Western intelligence agency sources cited by the New York Times, more than 1,000 Russian soldiers were injured or killed each day last month.

However, the newspaper also cites US officials as saying Moscow is continuing to recruit between 25,000 and 30,000 new soldiers a month - roughly as many as it is losing from the battlefield.

American officials told the outlet that Russia achieved a critical objective of Mr Putin in creating a buffer zone along the border to make it more difficult for the Ukrainians to strike into the country.

But, the Western officials said, this did not threaten Kharkiv and was ultimately stopped by Ukrainian forces.

A Russian official currently in charge of the occupied Zaporizhzhia region says it's time to "burn everything Ukrainian down to the root" until "there is no trace left".

Dmitry Rogozin, who was previously head of Russia's space agency, posted on his Telegram channel that there could be "no truce" with Ukraine as it would mean "certain death for our children and grandchildren".

"This time we need to burn everything Ukrainian down to the root," he said.

"Together with their bastard literature, delusional history, cannibalism of the 'ancient Ukrainians', passion for fascist 'aesthetics' and servility towards the West.

"Burn it so that there is no spirit left. No truces. Any truce, let alone reconciliation, is certain death for our children and grandchildren."

The comments come as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted three resolutions relating to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Among them is recognition of Russia's intent in destroying Ukraine's cultural heritage and identity. 

As we've been reporting today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in Brussels for an EU summit.

The Ukrainian president signed three defence agreements — two individual deals with Lithuania and Estonia, plus one with the EU.

The agreement with the EU confirms commitments to help Ukraine in areas of security and defence policy.

So far the texts of the agreements with Estonia and Lithuania have not been made public but both countries firmly support Ukraine’s NATO accession.

Lithuania's president Gitanas Nausėda and Estonia's prime minister Kaja Kallas have also declared their commitments to allocate no less than 0.25% of their GDP for military aid for Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold talks with Polish prime minister Donald Tusk next month.

Mr Tusk announced the talks after speaking to Ukraine's president in Brussels.

"The EU understood what Poles have known since the beginning of this war: the defence of Ukraine is the defence of Europe," he said.

Talks between the two leaders will take place before the NATO summit on 9 July in Washington.

The Russian spring offensive into Kharkiv shows the existing level of international pressure on Moscow is insufficient, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Kyiv's military says it has stabilised the situation after Russian forces launched an assault on a new front in Ukraine's northeastern region.

It was Vladimir Putin's second attempt to advance on Kharkiv, after Ukrainian troops successfully repelled his forces following the invasion in 2022.

Speaking in Brussels today, Mr Zelenskyy said the attack "proves that the existing pressure on Russia for the war is not enough."

The EU today signed a security agreement that entrenches its commitment to help Ukraine in areas of security and defence policy.

The European Union has signed a security agreement with Ukraine in Brussels.

The pact, confirmed today, is intended to complement similar agreements sealed between Ukraine and its allies as it continues its defence against Russia's invasion.

The agreement entrenches the EU's commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy - including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining,

Both Lithuania and Estonia signed security agreements with Ukraine also, joining several other countries offering a long-term commitment to help Kyiv, including once the war is over.

Mr Zelenskyy signed a similar pact with US President Joe Biden earlier this month, which will run for the next decade.

Ukraine has received the next €1.9bn (£1.6bn) tranche of financial support from the European Union.

The money arrives via the Ukraine Facility plan, which aims to support Ukraine in its recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation efforts.

It will provide up to €50bn (£42.3bn) in support between 2024-2027.

The plan was first proposed in June 2023, with the first payment of €4.5bn (£3.8bn) being sent to Ukraine in March.

To obtain the support, Ukraine must implement its recovery and reform plan while also upholding democratic mechanisms, the rule of law and human rights.

Once the European Commission can verify these conditions, payments will occur on a fixed schedule every quarter.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is in Brussels to discuss "urgent things" such as Ukraine's air defence and continued talks over the country's European Union membership.

"We have to work on next steps," the Ukrainian president told reporters as he arrived to attend a summit of EU leaders.

He said he and the leaders would discuss "the urgent things -- air defence, that is one".

The EU launched membership talks with Ukraine on Tuesday in Luxembourg, two years on from the country being formally approved as a candidate in June 2022.

"We waited for this, a long period of time," Mr Zelenskyy said, thanking the EU for its approval.

EU leaders are expected to sign a document of security commitments to Ukraine today.

Vladimir Putin says Russia's navy will be boosted by at least 40 new ships in 2024.

In a report by state-run news agency TASS, the Russian leader is quoted as saying that one of the country's main objectives is to "comprehensively upgrade" its naval capabilities. 

This includes "ship, aircraft and coastal components", while there are also plans to improve the infrastructure of naval bases to  "strengthen its positions in the strategically crucial areas of the world ocean, and to drastically improve its combat potential".

Mr Putin said that, compared to previous years where numbers were lower, 2024 would see more than 40 ships and boats received.

"A lot has been done in this area, as our Navy is getting new ships," he said, adding that "repairs and profound refurbishments of equipment" are being carried out.

Russia's defence ministry says it has carried out missile strikes on Ukrainian airfields, which it says it believes have been designated to host Western military aircraft.

Sea-based, long-range Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones were used in the attacks, it said.

All designated targets were hit, the ministry added, without naming the list of targets. 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free