home based travel business opportunities

10 Steps to Starting a Travel Agency from Home

If you're thinking of starting a travel agency from home, you're in luck. The cost to become a travel agent is relatively low and there are plenty of opportunities for someone with the passion to sell travel. Not only that, but starting a travel agency from home is becoming the most popular route to become a travel agent .

"Home-based independent advisors continue to dominate the travel agency landscape, accounting for 72% of travel advisors." -Phocuswright

According to Phocuswright's US Travel Agency Landscape 2023 , "Home-based independent advisors continue to dominate the travel agency landscape, accounting for 72% of travel advisors."

Want to throw your hat into the ring and start your own travel agency?

Starting any business is no walk in a park, but it certainly helps if you have someone to advise you and lay out a path. We're here to help support you and answer your questions as you start out on your new entrepreneurial journey!

PS: If you can't answer the question ' what do travel agents do ', let's have you read up on that first before you go all in on starting your own travel agency. 🤗

10 Steps to Starting Your Travel Agency From Home

Here's a summary of the steps to start your travel agency from home. If you've already completed some of the steps, you can click on the link to shortcut which step is best for you!

• Find your travel agency niche: Finding a travel agency niche is a great way to hone in on what about travel you're most passionate about. If you develop a niche, you'll be building your travel agency business on a strong foundation of your strengths, interests, and personal networks. Not only that, it will help you give direction as you start (and grow) your agency!
• Choose your travel agency name: This is often a step advisors struggle with, but don't skip it! Travel vendors need a travel agency name for their records. Make sure you have one ready so you can start selling travel.
• Choose a Travel Agency Business Structure: Most new-to-industry advisors will be choosing between a sole proprietorship or a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). It's a matter of balancing host requirements (if you go with one), business protections, your agency model, and your budget.
• Create a Travel Agency Business Plan: A travel agency business plan is a document that will help you cat herd all your amazing ideas for your business. It helps you define your mission and goals, helping you think through the process on how to get there. Best yet? We have a free 15-page travel agency business plan template you can use!
• Register Your Travel Agency with the State + Feds : This is a critical step so to legitimize your travel agency. You can register your LLC through the Small Business Administration (SBA) resource to find the steps to get registered with your specific state. This will enable you to do other fun steps like starting a business bank account.
• Get an FEIN : This is optional but recommended, here's why: It's free to get an FEIN, takes just a few minutes and if you move to a business structure that requires an FEIN in the future it will save you a few steps!
• Set Up Your Travel Agency Financials : Separating your business bank account from your personal account is required if you set up an LLC. But frankly, we recommend setting up business financials regardless of your agency model.
• Choose Between a Host Agency, Travel Franchise, or Your Own Accreditation: There are a lot of choices in which direction to go with your travel agency. Do you have your own vendor relationships and want to get your own travel accreditation? Do you want to partner with a host agency under your own brand so you take advantage of their aggregate sales volume? Do you want a turnkey agency option with a franchise? This will help you choose.
• Check Out Host Agency Reviews' Resources Page : Our resources page gives you tips on how to optimize our site to help start your travel agency from home.
• Sign Up for 7 Day Setup Accelerator Course: Within each of these steps, there are many many many other steps to starting a travel agency from home. (Yes, just like nesting dolls.) Our course gives you the tools and knowledge you need to go from the seed of an idea to hanging the shingle out for your travel agency!
• Bonus: Read up on what you can expect in terms of income potential as well as time and financial investment.

I know. It can be totally overwhelming. But if you're starting a travel agency from home, these steps will help prepare you to feel 10,000% (no those extra zeros are NOT typos!) more confident. What are the preliminary steps you need to take when starting a travel agency? Funny you should ask . . .

Here are the steps to take to start your travel agency from home:

1. Find a Travel Agency Niche

A niche is your friend. When you start your home-based travel agency, a niche will help you establish your brand, create your travel agency name, and allow you to focus your energies. Starting a travel agency without a niche is like traveling without a compass (or, let's be honest, a smartphone). Are you going to be focusing on a destination? Maybe you'll be like Andres Zuleta, who specializes in Japan tours:

Or maybe you'll focus on a type of travel, like Deb Fogarty, who specializes in cruising:

Or maybe you're like Will Medina and have a love for destination weddings and honeymoons:

Or maybe you're more attracted to the corporate world and aim to book travel for corporations like Karen Hurlbut:

Whatever your niche, it's the first problem to solve when you're starting your travel agency! We have a free brainstorming exercise to help you find niches that you're passionate about.

Try out our free brainstorming exercise on how to develop your niche here !

2. Choose Your Travel Agency's Name

Vendors will need a travel agency name for their records so have one ready before you start selling travel.

Whether you go with a host agency or choose to go independent, you're going to need a name for our agency. The vendors (hotels, cruise lines, airlines, etc) will need a travel agency name for their records so have one ready before you can start selling travel. Having a niche already picked out can help you as you decide on your travel agency's name .

Starting your travel agency (from home or otherwise) is a lot of work. The last thing you want as your travel agency opens its doors is a letter saying you've infringed on someone else's trademark! We help you through the things you need to consider when choosing a name for your agency. Are their any competitor's with similar names that will make it harder for you to pull up at the top of the search engines? Are the URLs available? Are their any copyrights? Is it too long to neatly fit on marketing materials? We go through this and a whole lot more, so dig in!

Here's the things to consider when choosing your travel agency's name!

3. Choose a Travel Agency Business Structure

You can change your business structure as your needs evolve.

A base step in starting your travel agency from home is deciding on a business structure. There's a lot that goes into what is the best fit for you. Do you have personal assets like a house or car that you want to make sure are protected? How much money do you want to spend?

We help you understand the different business structure options for your new travel agency : Sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, S Corp.

As you're starting your travel agency, you may feel like the low cost of a sole proprietor makes the most sense for you. It's important to know that you can change your business structure as your needs evolve.

As your business grows and you're making more bookings (which exposes you to more liability), you can always move to a structure that gives you more personal liability protection, like the LLC. While it's more expensive, and may not be feasible for everyone as they're starting their travel agency, the protection it offers to your personal assets is incredibly important as your business grows.

And what the heck is an S Corp anyhow? Don't worry, we'll give you the scoop and let you know when that should be a consideration for you.

4. Create Your Travel Agency Business Plan

Next step in starting your travel agency? A business plan!

While a travel agency business plan isn't technically required to start an agency, it is something I highly recommend. I didn't write a business plan when I started this site but I also knew online marketing, SEO, and the travel industry front and back. I also had the industry connections to make it work. Most people starting a travel agency from home either don't have experience in starting a company or they don't have experience in travel. This is where a business plan can help.

What a business plan does for you is it forces you to think through each different area of your business and come up with a plan. Will you stick to that plan 100%? Definitely not. But it gives you something to refer back to and helps you organize your thoughts. Plan to take a chunk of time to work on it as it's not something you want to do willy-nilly.

Not only that, but we made it really easy with our free 15-page travel agency business plan ! All you need to do is download our template and adapt it to your agency.

While I didn't write a business plan for Host Agency Reviews, I did write a VERY detailed travel agency business plan for you. :) It's completely filled out with a fictitious travel agency. That's helpful because you can use some of the data and ideas in there on your travel agency's business plan.

Here's a peek of the business plan. Just to note, this version is not editable! To get the editable version, download the travel agency business plan template (an editable version of the one below).

That was good stuff, right? So let's move on to some more logistics, getting your government paperwork in place.

5. Register Your Travel Agency with the State ... and Feds!

You're doing great!

Starting a travel agency from home isn't as tough as you thought, is it? When you have a road map, it's easier to navigate the start-up process.

Registering with the State

Ok, now that you've:

• nailed down your niche,
• come up with your name,
• and settled on a business structure.

The next step is letting the state government know you've got a company. The Small Business Administration (SBA) website shows   how to register your company's name by state . If you are an LLC, the SBA also has a state-by-state guide on how to register your LLC .

A word of warning: When doing a DBA, your business, even though they have different names, are still legally considered the same entity.

Registering your company with the state is an important step because you will need this proof to open a business bank account and other random things (running FB business ads, getting a loan) as your business grows. Do yourself a favor and when those certificates come in, keep them handy in a file for your company's legal documents.

When you start your travel agency, you may have registered it as Margarita Travel. But over time, that might change.

Let's say you fell into becoming the local destination wedding expert that everyone turned to. Margarita Travel works, but you want to have a more romantic name for those clients and different branding. So you create a new brand, Beach Romance , that specializes in destination weddings.

Do you need to let the state know about this new company, even though it's really your same company? Yuppers.

You'll need to file a DBA with the state. DBA is an acronym for "Doing Business As." It's also sometimes referred to as a fictitious name, trade name, or assumed name.

Your DBA is essentially saying, 'My formal company is Margarita Travel, but I also go by Beach Romance.'

To help you get a feel for the pros/cons of a dual-brand, listen to Andrey Zakahrenko's story of how his agency evolved into two brands: (This was our first ever podcast so please forgive the horrible sound quality!)

The one thing to know about DBAs is that they don't create a separate entity. DBAs just allows you to legally operate under different names.

A word of warning: When doing a DBA, your businesses, even though they have different names, are still legally considered the same entity. That means if someone sues Beach Romance for a honeymoon gone wrong, Margarita Travel is also being sued since it's the same company.

Registering with the Financial Crimes enforcement network

And can we talk about the Feds for a moment? They're doing their part to cut down on money laundering. (Score!) And... since money laundering happens through businesses, you're going to have to do a little paperwork with them. (Boo!)

You'll fill out the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) form to make sure you're on the up and up. :)

Don't worry, it's not too painful despite the fact the they name of the government org in charge—Financial Crimes Enforcement Network—sounds like they're going to send a SWAT team into your home at any moment.

6. Get an FEIN (Optional, but Recommended)

A Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) is like a social security number for your company. It's a number to identify your business and is sometimes referred to as an EIN.

Technically, you do not need an FEIN if you're a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC with no employees since you can use your social security number to file taxes.

However, I personally prefer not to give out my social security number if I don't have to. :) I also like to get my pencils lined up from the get-go.

It's free to get an FEIN and takes just a few minutes. A huge plus in getting one right off the bat when starting a travel agency is that if you move to a business structure that requires an FEIN, you won't have to worry about changing out your SS# for an FEIN on legal documents, bank accounts, etc.

Also, make sure to check in with your tax professional when it's tax filing time—for certain business structures, you may still file under your SS# even though you have an FEIN.

Confusing, I know. That's why you go to the professionals! 😊

7. Set Up Your Travel Agency Financials  

Like the FEIN, when you're starting a travel agency, you don't need a separate business bank account or credit card if you're a sole proprietor, but you'll have wished you'd had set one up come tax time!

Separating your personal bank account from the business account from the start makes accounting easier and will help you keep track of business expense write-offs.

Wondering what travel expenses you can write off as a travel advisor ? We've got a resource for that too. :)

Important to note: If you choose a business structure that offers personal liability protection, like an LLC, you need to keep your business and personal money separate. If you are mixing finances and paying personal bills out of your business account, or vice versa, that opens you up to personal liability.

The argument is that, yes, when you started your travel agency you chose an LLC structure, which protects your personal assets. BUT, clearly, the business and the owner are not separate entities because the owner is making business payments out of their personal bank account (or vice versa). And if you're one and the same, then your personal assets are also the business's assets.

There's a lot to consider when it comes to travel agency financials and getting the foundations laid.

Don't worry, we walk you through all things having to do with your travel agency's financials :

• what to consider when choosing your bank,
• the documents you need to have ready for the bank,
• what business credit cards are best,
• the most common software travel agencies use for their bookkeeping, and
• how to find a bookkeeper for your agency

8. Decide if a Host Agency Is Right for You

We mentioned host agencies at the very beginning of the article. And maybe you noticed the name of our site. We're big fans of host agencies for people starting a travel agency . . .but it's not for every agency out there.

That said, our travel advisor research reports continually show that new advisors almost always choose the host agency route.

Your next step is going to take a lot of research. You need to decide if you want to go with a host agency, franchise, or go independent.

Questions you might have:

• How do you know if you should go with a host agency, travel agency franchise , or if you should be independent and get your own accreditation ?
• How do you decide which travel consortium to join if you are independent?
• How do you choose a host agency when there are 200+ listed on the site ?

Don't you worry, little bird, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but we have answers to all these questions. :)

To start, check out our article, " The Top 10 Benefits of Using a Host Agency . " If you read that and decide a host agency is a good fit for you, you'll move on to our article on choosing a host agency and take a look at our best host agencies of 2024 .

Oh, and we've got a great tool for you to help narrow down your list of host agencies and/or travel franchises in our choosing a host agency article. It's a nifty spreadsheet to help you narrow down your top host agency picks ! 😊

9. Read our Home-Based Travel Agent Resources Page  

We put together a page with loads of links so you don't have to scour the web. Here she be, the Home-Based Travel Agent Resources page. 😊

Not only that, connecting with host agencies, travel franchises and consortia couldn't be easier! You can go directly to a host's profile to write them via Host Agency Reviews' Q&A feature. The beauty of this is that tons of agents will also get to learn from your question too!

10. Sign up for HAR's 7 Day Setup Accelerator Course

Phew. That was list was a little overwhelming, wasn't it?

The fact is that there's a lot of groundwork that needs to take place in order to start a travel agency.  Wouldn't it be nice if someone with tons of experience who's helped over 10,000 agency get started could walk you through the setup?

We've got an option for that too! It's called our 7 Day Setup Accelerator course .

But don't take our word for it. Hear from some of our students on the value of bite-sized instructional videos, a supportive community, and access to the HAR team:

The course is written and taught by HAR Founder, Steph Lee, and professional Educator, Bridget Lee. It includes nine chapters with 70+ instructional videos, course quizzes, peer accountability, and monthly meet-ups with HAR members and industry experts. Check out HAR's 7DS Accelerator course below!!

As you can see, there are lots of things to do as you start a travel agency from home. But we're here to offer you a TON of resources and support.

So take a deep breath and we'll do it step-by-step together!

Once you start your travel agency from home, you'll have lots of other things that will demand your attention so laying the proper groundwork as soon as you can is smart business. 

Starting a Travel Agency from Home: What to Expect Time-Wise

In general, it will take a few years to get your agency off the ground.  This is the case with nearly all entrepreneurial endeavors.

Our travel advisor research reports continually show that it typically takes about 3 years to really start generating a sustainable income.

Here's why it can take time to see the cash flow when you starting a travel agency:

• It takes a while to build a client base and develop your brand
• Even when you do make your first bookings, you're not paid commission until after your client completes their travel (or after final payment for some vendors). So, if you make 7 bookings in January but the clients aren't traveling until November, you can see how your first-year money might be tight.
• Travel is something most people only do 1-2 times a year. Even with referrals and repeat clients, it can take a lot longer to build a steady business compared to a new restaurant or other service industries. 

Starting a Travel Agency from Home: What to Expect Money-Wise

And money. You probably want to know what you can expect when it comes to money and starting that travel agency from home, huh?! 😊

I hate to admit it but there is no one set answer. It depends on soooo many factors. The good news is that we were so curious to answer this question that we asked a few hundred new travel agents about their income in the first years of starting a travel agency.

Here's some hard data on travel agent income and travel agency start up costs in the first 5 years of business!

Even more travel agent income data

Want to dig into travel agent income data even more? Here's a great reading list that will give you an idea of what you might expect to earn when starting a travel agency: 

There's a lot of things to look forward to when it comes to a travel agent career . Check out our (free) annual event, Host Week , to get a flavor of what you can expect once you decide to start a travel agency.

The travel industry opens possibilities of traveling to beautiful places to help you do your job better. You'll get to attend things like FAM trips , ship inspections and go on site inspections. When you sell enough, you'll have access to travel agent rates .

All that said, it's important to understand that you still have to (*ahem*) work if you're a travel advisor- --you just get to have a lot more fun doing it than most people (yay)! :)

Questions? Ask Away.

I grew up in the travel industry and have I've worked with thousands of agents looking to start a travel agency. It's totally my jam. And it's not just my jam.

The entire HAR team is here to help you start (and grow) a successful travel agency. Ask us questions in the comments, drop us a line via email, or reach out to us on social. We love helping bring new people into our amazing industry! 🤗

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in July 2021. We updated this resource and republished it on publish date above.

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10 Companies Hiring A Work From Home Travel Agent (2024 Guide)

Learn how to become a work-from-home travel agent and make money . Do you have a passion for travel? Do you Love to help people plan their vacations?

If yes – and even if you’ve only done travel planning for yourself, friends, and/or family – then we’ve got great news for you. You could possibly make a very great travel agent – and get paid for working from home !

Table of Contents

Work From Home Travel Agent Job

In this guide, you’ll learn the basics of what such a position entails, as well as where to find work with legitimate opportunities.

Companies That Hire Remote Travel Agents

There are several companies that hire remote agents that are worth looking into. Each has its own unique set of requirements, but you’ll find a list of general requirements to expect in the next section.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of host agencies that hire remote travel agents. However, we’ve personally researched each one of them to ensure they are 100% legitimate.

While you shouldn’t feel limited to this list, if you do decide to apply to any other agencies or positions you find online, please do your due diligence in researching them thoroughly before contacting them.

As you’ll find out in the last section of this guide, there are also many work-at-home travel agent scams to look out for.

1. American Express

American Express always has a list of positions available in major locations where the company has a physical branch or large customer base. Not all of these are remote (and most of them are not in the line of being a travel agent).

Visit the  American Express Careers page  for more information. Alternatively, you can head straight to their  Virtual Career Opportunities page  to see what remote positions are currently available and where you need to be based to apply (for example, Toronto, Canada).

It’s also recommended you  join the American Express Talent Community  for regular updates and newly opened positions, especially if one that suits you isn’t currently available.

2. Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Carlson Wagonlit Travel is a reputable industry leader in global digital business travel management. As such, they have remote opportunities for talented, enthusiastic applicants from almost all over the world.

You can visit  CWT Careers Page  to run a search through their database for any positions currently available in your location. Alternatively, you can head straight to the  Travel Counselor page  to search for opportunities.

Do note that you’ll need to  create a free CWT profile  in order to apply for a job. It’s also worth spending time reading through their  FAQs  to familiarize yourself with their application, recruitment, and development (training) processes.

3. Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines has been operating for almost 50 years and hires shoreside as well as onboard workers.

One of their onshore, remote work options is, of course, as a travel agent, which they call a virtual vacation planner or sometimes a group agent. To find such positions, you need to visit the  Carnival Cruise Lines Jobs page  or  Filtered Search page .

It’s also a good idea to visit the  corporation’s general jobs page  to sign up for job alerts.

4. Cruise.com

Cruise.com regularly updates its  Employment page  as appropriate. At the time of publication, it reads that,

“During 2019 Cruise.com will be hiring team members who are professional and passionate about selling cruises and other leisure services and products and providing clients with world-class service either as a home-based agent or in our beautiful Dania Beach location.”

Further down the page, they specify “Future Home-Based Job Opportunities (Multi State Except California and Hawaii).” Included are details for 3 positions: Customer Service Agents, Cruise Sales Agents, and Online Support Agents.

It’s worth noting that Cruise.com does have strict requirements: a minimum of 2 years recent experience with cruise sales (if applying for the Cruise Sales Agents, the closest approximation of travel agents).

They also have a preference for those with call center experience, as the position entails cruise sales via telephone. You’ll also be required to sell Allianz Insurance (travel insurance), as Cruise.com is entering a partnership with them.

In exchange, successful applicants will receive base pay as well as tiered incentives.

FROSCH has been around since 1972 and focuses on deluxe leisure and corporate travel. With the aspiration of becoming “the travel company of choice,” they have high expectations of their employees – both office-based and remote.

They only hire from certain locations at present and there’s no guarantee of a position being available.

While not quite on a “first-come, first-served” hiring basis, it’s highly recommended if you meet FROSCH’s requirements, you apply as soon as possible.

To browse current job listings, please visit the  FROSCH Careers page  and follow the heading corresponding with your location (list included below).

• Philippines
• United Kingdom
• United States

One of the most famous worldwide hotel chains, Hilton also regularly hires remote workers. Their  Work From Home Talent page  doesn’t give any indication of the types of position available, but their  Search All Jobs page  (with “Work From Home” selected) does.

At the time of posting, Hilton had no open opportunities to join their remote team. However, it is worth mentioning that they do appear to hire virtual call center agents to help with making reservations.

You can also use their general  Careers page  to filter results according to your location. This page is the easiest to access directly from their main website.

JetBlue was one of several airlines that announced they were  no longer working with travel agencies , in order to help cut costs. However, they do hire travel agents of their own to help their clients make reservations and assist with customer service issues.

While JetBlue makes it somewhat unnecessarily difficult to find such opportunities on their  Careers page , Glassdoor has  several reviews  by currently employed work from home customer service and reservationists (the latter being what JetBlue calls their travel agents).

It’s worth going through these reviews to get a holistic view of the opportunity to work for the company.

General consensus appears to be that it’s a great part-time, short-term solution for anyone wanting to gain experience, enjoy great benefits, and be willing to work strict hours (though you can reportedly trade in hours if need be).

The major complaint among current and recently resigned employees is that cancellations and delays inevitably create a perfect storm for customer service representatives and that JetBlue tends to micromanage, with regular updates that need to be read almost daily as soon as received via email.

Our Recommendation

Learn from the experience of those who have worked for JetBlue in the past. The complaints are almost exclusively from those who spent 5+ years working from home for the company.

While we couldn’t find any concrete requirements posted by JetBlue, it does seem to be a good way to gain experience before moving to another company to host you as a work from home travel agent.

8. VIP Desk (Now Aspire Lifestyles)

Aspire Lifestyles, previously VIP Desk, styles itself as a “Leader in B2B Benefit Solutions and Concierge Services.”

That’s really just a fancy way of saying they offer high-end customer service/virtual assistant services, with a focus on travel, health, wellness, and assistance with home and auto.

There are 2 general types of employment opportunities within this sphere (though several others that include finance and business development): brand ambassadors, who act as customer service agents, and concierges, who perform virtual assistant duties relating to travel.

It’s the latter you want to apply for if you’re wanting to focus purely on being a work from home travel agent. Do be aware there are typically fewer of these positions open, however.

To discover available opportunities, please visit the  Aspire Lifestyles Careers page . You can also filter results according to general geographic location:

• Asia-Pacific (several countries listed)
• Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (4 locations listed: Europe, South Africa, Turkey, and the UAE)
• North America (several U.S. cities listed)
• South America (Brazil only)

9. Working Solutions

Working Solutions offers several work from home employment opportunities, including:

• Inbound technical support agent
• Sales representative
• Travel and ticketing agent
• Customer support agent
• Data entry clerk
• Copy-editor/proofreader

Travel consultants, as Working Solutions calls them, work on a part-time basis, but the pay isn’t exactly clear. Depending on the individual project, you would invoice the company for hours worked and receive between $9 and $30/hour once every 2 weeks.

One downside is, that once accepted as an independent contractor for Working Solutions, you’re expected to apply for all of its various programs (the employment opportunities listed above).

This means you aren’t guaranteed to be hired as a travel consultant just because Working Solutions accepts your general application.

On the plus side, you’re able to set your own hours based on workload availability, and the company provides full training as necessary. After training is completed (varies from a few days to a few weeks), you’ll also receive a stipend.

Visit the  Working Solutions Work at Home Jobs page  to learn more and apply to become part of their Talent Community.

10. World Travel Holdings

World Travel Holdings might be one of the most attractive options on our list, especially if you’re a beginner with no prior experience.

It is worth mentioning that there is an investment required from your side.

Usually, this is a major red flag that warns you a job opportunity is in fact a scam, but we’ve done the research and are confident World Travel Holdings is 100% legitimate.

So, what is the investment?

$250 refundable deposit (paid over 5 payroll deductions – so you don’t actually have to make any upfront payment) for the company computer (including monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset) and landline phone, which is provided for you

Cable and DSL initial setup fees, which typically max out at $200 – however, if you already have cable and DSL that meet World Travel Holdings’ requirements, you won’t need to spend any extra money here (or you can replace initial setup with upgrade fees)

$50 to $100 for a UPS/Surge Protector (again, if you already have one, no cost applies)

The only other expense is any optional supplies you decide to get for yourself, like a notepad and pen set, printer, fax machine, etc.

You’ll also receive paid training, ongoing support, and training, benefits (including travel discounts and similar perks), and paid time off. The only stipulation is you don’t set up your home office in the same residence as any other World Travel Holdings employee.

Interested? Visit their  Work @ Home Careers page .

What are the Resume and Experience Requirements for Being a Travel Agent?

The exact resume and experience requirements for being a travel agent vary depending on which host agency you apply to join.

You’ll also find if you decide to start up as an independent, the requirements might actually be a little higher, as clients will want more surety when contracting an independent travel agent.

As a general rule, however, you can expect the following requirements (including equipment, etc.) will need to be met:

• A working computer (desktop or laptop)
• High-speed, reliable internet connection
• A fax machine, printer, and copier (if you can get a 3-in-1 model, all the better)
• A quiet, designated working environment, such as a study or home office
• Pass a background and employment check (when applying with a host agency, at their discretion)
• Flexible schedule to suit client needs
• Most host agencies will require prior experience, but some won’t
• No special education requirements – and some host agencies will provide training and software as necessary

Finding Work from Home Travel Agent Work

If you’ve decided to find work-from-home travel agent opportunities as an independent, or you want to consider options for host companies not included in our list above, the best place to get started is  FlexJobs .

Simply  visit their Pricing page  to select your preferred membership subscription. Good Value costs $14.95 for 1 month’s subscription, Better Value $29.95 for 1 quarter (3 months), and Best Value $49.95 for 1 year’s subscription.

All subscriptions share the same benefits – it’s only the duration and price that change (the longer your membership period, the lower your per-month costs).

What Do Travel Agents Do?

Travel agents do exactly what you said you love (or at least enjoy) doing in answer to our opening question above. They help holidaymakers plan their trips by taking care of the travel arrangements.

This means you would be doing things such as booking flights, reserving hotel rooms, tickets, vehicle rentals, restaurant reservations, and so much more. Not that you’ll necessarily be doing  all  of that for every client: some only need help with the finer details.

There’s a huge market for this type of service. Many people find the process of planning a holiday to be so stressful that they subscribe to the half-joking notion that they need a vacation to recover from their vacation. And this makes them very willing and even eager to enlist the help of a travel agent.

Can I Work From Home as a Travel Agent?

Absolutely! There are 2 ways to go about doing so:

Striking out on your own

This requires a lot of initial and ongoing work to set up a website and blog for your independent agency, marketing and advertising yourself to attract customers and building relationships with different types of travel-related businesses. This includes cruise lines, airlines, hotel franchises, vehicle rental companies in different countries… the list goes on, almost without end.

Join an agency

A much less stressful option is to join a host agency that will hire you as a remote travel agent. There are several to choose from (we’ll introduce you in a later section), but the really great thing is you won’t be just another employee. You’ll get a lot of the perks of working for an established company while still being self-employed and working as an independent contractor. And if you’re hoping to strike out on your own eventually, then doing your time with a host agency will open up a lot of doors for building the professional relationships you’ll need.

How Do Travel Agents Make Their Money?

Most of the time, the travel agency that contracts you as an independent remote agent will pay you an agreed-upon commission fee – typically a set percentage of the fees they charge the clients.

Some remote travel agents will also charge a small service fee over and above the commission, but this isn’t a standard practice anymore.

Then there’s the other side of the coin: agencies that hire remote agents on a full-time basis as actual employees. If you do decide to join such a company, you’ll receive a base salary in addition to the commission earned.

There’s one last thing worth mentioning here, though it’s not really  making  money so much as  saving  it. As a remote travel agent, you can work almost anywhere with a solid internet connection.

And this means it’s easier for you to travel… especially with the fantastic discounts you’ll score as a result of your work.

What is Work At Home Travel Agent Salary?

This depends on who you ask…

The  Bureau of Labor Statistics  offers a median figure of $38,700/year, based on 2018 data.

ZipRecruiter , on the other hand, suggests an average of $57,623/year (as of June 20, 2019), with a range spreading from $15,000/year to $125,000/year. The majority of home-based travel agents appear to be earning between $28,000/year and $70,000/year.

Confusing? You bet.

Because your pay is determined by so many different factors – whether you’re fully independent (and if so, how many clients you’re pulling in) or hosted by an agency (and if so, whether you receive a base salary as well as commission, or only commission… plus how much of each), it’s difficult to get an accurate estimate.

Are There Any Work From Home Travel Agency Scams?

A sad fact of life is, that for as long as there have been jobs, there have been scams. And online/remote work is no different.

One common scam is being sent an email from a seemingly reputable agency with an online presence overseas. Purporting to be in response to an application, this scam relies on the target having applied to various online and remote positions (including legitimate travel agencies) and not remembering whether they’ve applied to this one in particular.

The email goes on to explain that you, as the agent, will receive checks in the mail, sent by nationally local clients of the agency. All you need to do is cash the check and send the agency a set portion of the amount via wire transfer.

Where the scam comes in is that you’re obligated to complete the transfer on the same day as you receive the check. A few days after the agency has taken your money, the bank will notify you that the check never cleared. And because the payment method is untraceable, you won’t be getting your money back either.

You can read more about this particular scam and how to avoid it at  Scam Alert: Don’t Take that “Travel Coordinator” Job That Requires an Upfront Payment  by Consumer Affairs.

A second, similar type of scam is the travel agent certification scam. Here, targeted or organic ads online introduce you to the opportunity to become a travel agent and receive world-wide exclusive discounts. Usually, the discounts advertised are  very  enticing – 50% to 70%!

The catch? You need to pay a registration fee of $200+ and complete a 20-minute test. But the website looks legitimate and there are glowing testimonials designed to make you feel like you’ll make that fee up again by the end of your first trip (through the discounts, of course).

Here things start to vary. In scenario 1, you do actually receive a travel agent card via the mail. But once you start trying to use it, you’ll be informed that it can’t be used as anything other than a $200+ bookmark. In scenario 2, you never even receive the card or hear anything from the scammers again.

The Balance Careers has an excellent resource on the  Top 10 Job Scam Warning Signs  that’s worth reading.

Ready to get started? Here are a few more online resources to help you turn this opportunity into a success!

• Host Agency Reviews  (website)
• National Association of Career Travel Agents  (NACTA)
• Start Your Own Travel Business  (ebook)
• Travel Agent Central  (website)

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17 Top Companies to Find Home-Based Travel Agent Jobs

Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by Katie

Are you passionate about travel and love helping others have amazing experiences? If so, working as a home-based travel agent might be the perfect job role for you.

Whether it’s organizing corporate travel solutions, finding the best luxury beach resorts or curating hiking trails for adventurers, working as a home travel agent will never get boring!

In this blog post, we’ll explore the best reputable companies that hire home-based travel agents , providing you with the opportunity to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding career.

Here’s an overview of what this article details:

• What does a home-based travel agent do?
• Best companies hiring home-based travel agents
• What do you need to be a home-based travel agent?
• How to become a work from work-from-home travel agent
• Pros and cons of working as a home-based travel agent
• Is being a travel agent from home right for you?

Get the latest money-making ideas right to your inbox. No spam just pure value!

Understanding the Role: What Does a Home-Based Travel Agent Do?

As a home-based travel agent, the job responsibilities revolve around assisting clients in planning and booking travel experiences.

This includes researching destinations, flights, accommodations, and activities to curate personalized itineraries.

Moreover, home-based travel agents often provide recommendations, offer travel tips, and ensure all necessary arrangements are made for a seamless travel experience.

Job Responsibilities

Home-working travel agents are entrusted with the task of liaising with clients to determine their travel preferences, providing them with various travel options, and making bookings on their behalf.

They must stay updated on travel regulations, and documentation requirements, and ensure that clients are well informed about their travel plans.

Skills Required

To excel in this role, home-based travel agents need multiple different skills. These include:

• Excellent communication
• Great customer service skills
• Great research skills to find the best deals
• Proficiency in travel booking systems
• Knowledge of diverse travel destinations
• Ability to multitask
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills
• Passion for travel and helping others

Salaries and Benefits

The income of home-based travel agents can vary based on experience, commission structures, and client base.

Typically, they earn commissions from bookings, and with experience and a strong client base, their earning potential increases.

Additionally, the flexibility of working from home and the opportunity to create personalized travel experiences for clients are valuable non-monetary benefits of this profession.

According to Salary , remote travel agents earn on average between $35,636 – $45,925 a year.

However, it’s possible to earn more in certain travel niches and if you work as a freelance home-based travel agent.

Company Profiles: Where to Find Home-Based Travel Agent Jobs

Take a look at the best, reputable companies, hiring work from home travel agents today

1. ADTRAV Travel Management

ADTRAV Travel Management offers home-based travel agent jobs with a focus on innovative travel solutions for corporate clients.

Joining their team opens up opportunities to leverage cutting-edge technology and a supportive network to excel in the travel industry.

Take a look at their current job openings.

2. Go Cruise and Travel

Go Cruise and Travel has been established for over 17 years and hires home based travel agents from all over the UK.

They set you up with your own territory so you’re not competing with other agents and allow you to choose the travel niche you want to specialise in. These include:

• Cruise specialist
• Luxury specialist
• Weddings and honeymoon specialist
• Or choose to sell a variety of packages

Learn more about their homeworking travel agent jobs here.

3. AllTrails

AllTrails, known for its dedication to outdoor exploration, also offers remote positions for travel enthusiasts.

By curating exceptional travel experiences, home-based agents at AllTrails have the chance to contribute to shaping unforgettable adventures for clients.

4. Kemp Travel Group

Kemp Travel Group is currently hiring passionate and experienced travel consultants to work from home.

You’ll be expected to sell travel products and travel suppliers, respond to inbound inquiries, promote travel services and to share accurate travel information.

Take a look at Kemp Travel Group careers here.

5. Travel Solutions International USA

Travel Solutions International is a travel management company that regularly hires sales professionals, account managers and home-based travel consultants.

They offer competitive salaries, generous benefits and an engaging place to work.

They’re currently hiring workers from these regions:

• Dallas headquarters
• Houston, TX
• Chicago, IL
• India/Bolivia

Learn more about the open job positions here.

6. AvantStay

AvantStay offers remote opportunities for travel agents who are passionate about creating memorable stays for vacationers.

Home-based agents can expect a dynamic environment with ample room for creativity in crafting unique travel experiences.

A few remote travel jobs AvantStay often hire for include:

• Reservation agents
• Remote customer experience concierges

Take a look at the current AvantStay job openings here.

7. BCD Travel

BCD Travel provides home-based travel agent opportunities that emphasize global corporate travel management.

Agents working remotely for BCD Travel are positioned to engage with a diverse clientele and provide tailored travel solutions on an international scale.

Research the current job openings at BCD Travel here.

8. Booking Holdings

Booking Holdings offers remote positions for travel agents who thrive in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.

As a home-based agent with Booking Holdings, individuals have the chance to tap into a global network and influence the travel experiences of countless customers.

Learn more about current job openings at Booking Holdings here.

9. Corporate Traveler

Corporate Traveler provides remote travel agent jobs centred around corporate travel and event management.

As part of this team, agents have the chance to collaborate with businesses of varying sizes and industries, making a substantial impact on their travel needs.

FROSCH offers remote opportunities for travel agents seeking to deliver a high-end, personalized service.

By joining FROSCH as a home-based agent, individuals have the chance to be part of a team dedicated to creating bespoke travel experiences for clients across the globe.

Hopper, known for its innovative approach to travel booking, also offers remote positions for travel agents.

Home-based agents at Hopper have the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology to help customers discover and book exceptional travel experiences.

A few recent remote travel jobs with Hopper include:

• Travel agent for hotels
• Customer service team lead
• Customer service manager

Check out the current job openings with Hopper here.

12. Ovation Travel Group

Ovation Travel Group provides home-based travel agent roles focused on high-end, luxury travel experiences.

By joining this team, home-based agents can tap into a network of industry experts and provide unparalleled service to a discerning clientele.

Learn how to become an independent travel advisor with Ovation.

13. Travel Leaders Group

Travel Leaders Group offers remote positions for travel agents seeking to engage with a diverse client base.

As a remote agent with Travel Leaders Group, individuals can expect to be part of a collaborative team that prioritizes delivering exceptional travel experiences.

Learn more about the Travel Leaders Group here.

14. Tzell Travel Group

Tzell Travel Group provides remote opportunities for travel agents who are passionate about curating unique travel experiences.

By joining Tzell Travel Group as a home-based agent, individuals can harness their creativity to craft personalized journeys for clients.

Learn more about current job openings here.

15. Vail Resorts

Vail Resorts offers home-based travel agent roles with a focus on delivering exceptional mountain and lodging experiences.

Home-based agents with this company have the opportunity to make a difference by assisting clients in creating unforgettable mountain getaways.

Take a look at the current job openings here.

16. Virtual Vocations

Virtual Vocations is a job search platform where you can often find work from home travel agent opportunities.

Use the job search bar to find suitable roles and register for their newsletter so you get notified when remote travel jobs suiting your skills are posted.

Take a look at the current home travel agent roles hiring today.

17. World Travel Holdings

World Travel Holdings offers remote positions for travel agents who are passionate about delivering exceptional cruise and vacation experiences.

Home-work agents at World Travel Holdings have the opportunity to engage with a broad customer base and tailor travel experiences to their specific needs.

Learn how to become a remote travel agent with World Travel Holdings.

What Do You Need to Become a Home-Based Travel Agent?

Becoming a home-based travel agent can be an exciting venture for those with a passion for travel and a desire to help others plan their dream vacations.

Here’s what you need to make this career path a reality:

Passion for Travel

Having a genuine love for travel and exploring new destinations can be the driving force behind your success as a remote travel agent.

Your enthusiasm for different cultures, cuisines, and experiences will shine through as you help others plan their getaways.

Customer Service Skills

Strong customer service skills are essential for building lasting relationships with clients.

Being able to actively listen to their needs, offer personalized recommendations, and provide exceptional support throughout their journey can set you apart in the travel industry.

You’ll also need to be able to stay calm and be a problem solver if travel conditions change at a moment’s notice.

Knowledge of Destinations

Familiarizing yourself with popular travel destinations as well as off-the-beaten-path gems can position you as a trusted source of information for your clients.

Stay updated on the latest:

• Travel trends and popular destinations
• Visa requirements and local customs for different countries
• Best places to eat, drink, see local sights

Sales and Marketing Acumen

Promoting travel packages, negotiating deals with vendors, and creating enticing marketing campaigns requires a knack for sales and marketing.

Developing these skills can help you excel as a home-based travel agent and will help you if you want to start your own business.

Technology and Communication Tools

Utilizing modern technology and communication platforms is crucial for staying connected with clients and industry partners.

Embracing social media, email marketing, and online booking systems can streamline your operations and expand your reach.

Industry Certifications

Obtaining relevant industry certifications, such as travel agent licenses or specialized training in certain destinations, can enhance your credibility and reassure clients of your expertise.

Laptop or Computer and Reliable WIFI

Creating a dedicated home office space with a reliable internet connection, comfortable work environment, and organizational systems can boost your productivity and professionalism as a home-based travel agent.

Networking and Collaboration

Building a network of fellow travel agents, industry professionals, and local businesses can open doors to collaboration opportunities and provide a supportive community for sharing insights and resources.

Search for travel agent groups on Facebook and Twitter and don’t be afraid to ask questions and make friends in the industry.

How to Become a Home-Based Travel Agent

If you’re ready to start a home-based travel agent career there are a few steps you need to take. These include:

Develop a Business Plan

Before embarking on the journey of becoming a home-based travel agent, it’s crucial to start with a well-thought-out business plan.

A business plan will serve as your roadmap, outlining your target market, services offered, financial goals, and marketing strategies.

It will also help you identify potential challenges and devise contingency plans to address them.

Identify a Travel Agent Niche

Setting yourself apart as a home-based travel agent involves identifying a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise.

By deciding on a niche, you can market yourself as the go-to expert for this type of travel planning and it’ll give people confidence you know what you’re talking about.

A few options include:

• Luxury cruises
• Adventure travel, or eco-tourism,
• Family travel
• Honeymoon travel
• Solo travel
• Medical tourism
• Corporate travel
• Retiree travel

Specializing in a particular niche allows you to cater to a specific clientele seeking specialized experiences.

Once you have a niche, you can get any related certifications and build up a huge knowledge base of all the information that’ll be useful for that type of niche travel.

Get Training and Certifications

To establish credibility and enhance your knowledge in the travel industry, obtaining relevant training and certifications is paramount.

Accredited programs such as The Travel Institute and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) offer comprehensive training courses that cover various aspects of travel planning, customer service, and industry regulations.

Additionally, obtaining certifications from suppliers like cruise lines and tour operators can further bolster your expertise and credentials.

Build Experience

Gaining practical experience in the travel industry is instrumental in honing your skills and understanding client preferences.

Consider pursuing internships, part-time roles, or volunteer opportunities with established travel agencies to familiarize yourself with booking systems, itinerary planning, and customer interactions.

Additionally, attending industry events and networking with seasoned professionals can provide valuable insights and mentorship.

Select a Host Agency

Aligning with a reputable host agency offers numerous benefits, including access to industry resources, technology platforms, and commission structures.

Research host agencies that align with your business goals and provide comprehensive support, such as marketing tools, back-office assistance, and supplier connections.

Evaluating factors like commission rates, contractual terms, and training opportunities can guide you in selecting the most suitable host agency for your home-based travel business.

Pros and Cons of Being a Home-Based Travel Agent

Just like any job role, home-work travel agent careers come with advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of Being a Home-Based Travel Agent

Imagine having the freedom to work from anywhere, whether it’s a cozy café in Paris or a beachside spot in Tulum.

There are many benefits to working as a remote travel agent, including:

• Great work/life balance
• Flexible work hours that you choose
• Work is location-independent
• Don’t need to rent an office
• Don’t need to travel in rush hour
• Excellent income potential
• Can start part-time
• No formal education needed
• The travel perks are great

Cons of Being a Home-Based Travel Agent

While the flexibility and freedom of this type of work sound enticing, it’s crucial to stay disciplined and organized.

Managing your own schedule requires self-accountability to avoid missing out on potential opportunities.

The allure of working from picturesque locations might lead to distractions, potentially affecting your productivity. Moreover, being on call for client emergencies means being prepared to handle unexpected situations at any time.

Despite the allure of working from exotic locales, being a remote travel agent also means being available to mitigate unforeseen issues that could arise during a client’s vacation.

Balancing the allure of an independent work environment with the responsibility of being on-call is a significant consideration for aspiring home-based travel agents.

Is Being a Home-Based Travel Agent Right for You?

Only YOU can answer that question!

But, if you love travel, have great research skills and want to work from home on your own schedule, home-based travel agent work could be ideal.

Take the time to create a strong CV to show possible travel company employers why you’d be a good fit for the role.

And, spend time getting experience with this type of work if you can by volunteering or taking on part-time work.

By taking the time to plan upfront, you can realise your dream of working as a remote travel agent and work from anywhere in the world!

Want more remote jobs that let you work from anywhere?

Check out these work-from-home jobs hiring:

• 45 Entry Level Remote Jobs Always Hiring New Talent
• 53 Legit Work from Home Jobs that Pay Weekly
• 20 Online Jobs that Require No Degree and Pay $20+/Hour
• 21 best Early Morning Jobs that Early Risers Will Love
• 15 Online Jobs for Introverts to make $2,000+/Month
• 13 Companies Offering Work from Home Web Search Evaluator Jobs

* Disclosure : I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate  links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

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7 Home-Based Travel Job Opportunities

Author: Holly Reisem Hanna

October 29, 2019 122 Comments

But if you don’t have training or experience as a travel agent , how can you make money as a digital nomad?

Luckily, there are lots of ways in which you can make money as a digital nomad , and not all of them require that you have prior experience or education.

If working remotely in the travel industry sounds appealing, then consider these travel-related occupations.

Fun Home-Based Travel Jobs to Consider

1. cruise planner.

Do you love the cruising lifestyle? There are a few different options for being a Cruise Consultant, but the one that I’m most familiar with and that’s affiliated with American Express is Cruise Planners .

It’s a home-based franchise opportunity that gives you all of the tools you’ll need to run a successful business from your home – from an extensive six-day training session in Florida to tech tools, award-winning marketing programs, and American Express benefits. With this franchise, you’ll build accreditation towards your Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) certification – which is needed to work with suppliers. Startup costs will run around $10,995, plus royalties and fees.

What it Pays: With Cruise Planners, you’ll earn commission on cruises, hotels, excursions, flights, ground transportation, passports, and more. According to Hot Travel Jobs , the average leisure travel agent salary is $46,777 and is currently on the rise.

Related Content: Cruise Planners Franchise Review: Want to Make Money in the Travel Industry?

2. Travel Writer

Do you love to explore and research? Travel Writers are generally freelance writers or independent contractors, who write articles and reviews for magazines, newspapers, websites, and travel guides. Topics can range from food and nightlife to specific travel niches like eco-tourism, adventure travel, or family-friendly travel.

What it Pays: According to Study.com , the median salary for a Travel Writer is $62,170. Some factors that you will need to factor in are things like experience, skills, background education, and training and whether you’ll be freelancing or working as a salaried employee. And don’t forget the perks of free travel and accommodations that you’ll receive.

3. Travel Blogger

Do you love to share information about your travels? Travel Bloggers share all sorts of travel information via a personal travel blog. Many bloggers will choose a specific travel niche, such as traveling for singles, couples, families, or by interest island, mountain, or luxury travel. To make money, bloggers will use various techniques such as direct ad sales, ad networks, affiliate marketing, or by creating their own informational travel products.

What it Pays: According to Indeed , the median pay for a Travel Blogger ranges from $12.24 – $24.67 per hour. In this interview , these travel bloggers are pulling in $50K + annually. I think one of the many perks of being a Travel Blogger is that you’ll get to travel for free – so you’ll want to factor that into your annual salary.

4. Instagram Travel Influencer

If you love Instagram and have a knack for taking stunning photos, being an Instagram Travel Influencer may be your calling. Of course, you’ll need to build up your audience first, but once you do, you can earn big bucks through brand sponsorships.

What it Pays: According to this article on the Washington Post , “A rough rule of thumb is that influencers can make $10 to $80 per 1,000 Instagram followers per post — though much compensation is a mixture of payment (say, a daily rate for traveling to and posting from a hotel) and freebies.”  This means if you have 500K Instagram followers, you could potentially earn $5,000 – $40,000 per post!

Related Content: How Bloggers Can Make Money on Instagram: Advice From the Experts

5. Disney Travel Planner

Do you know Disney inside and out? Academy Travel (Mickey Vacations) is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that specializes in Disney destination vacations. Through this program, you’ll work as an Independent Travel Consultant, planning, organizing, and booking Disney vacations. Academy Travel is a member of the CLIA, IATAN, and ASTA, and all Consultants attend the College of Disney Knowledge (an online education program). According to their website, there are no startup or monthly fees to join.

What it Pays: According to their website , “You will receive 60% of the total agency commission. For example, if the agency is paid the standard 10% commission on a $4,000 vacation ($400), as the travel agent, you would receive 60% ($240).”  Commission checks are mailed out monthly.

Related Content: Work-at-Home Jobs for Disney Lovers

6. Social Media Manager Specializing in Travel

Are you a social butterfly? Take your love of social media and travel and combine them into one exciting career. There are a couple of different routes you can take with this option, one you can open up your own Social Media company specializing in the travel industry, or you can search for travel organizations and see if there are any openings for Social Media Managers . Of course, you’ll need to have a love of travel, but you’ll also need to prove your expertise in social media marketing.

What it Pays: According to Indeed , the median income for a Social Media Manager with one year of experience is $48,051 annually. This number will vary greatly depending on your knowledge, skills, background education, and whether you decide to run your own business or work as an employee.

7. Local Coordinator (LC) for Exchange Students

Local Coordinators are independent contractors who go out into the community visiting schools, churches, and various youth programs in search of families who are interested in hosting foreign exchange students. Besides finding safe hosting families for students, you also act as a point of contact and mentor to the students while there are here in the US. This is basically a recruitment type position where you get paid a stipend for each successful placement. Most of the opportunities I found, offer financial compensation, incentives, travel bonuses, FAM trips, and opportunities for advancement.

What it Pays: The International Cultural Exchange Services says, “Typically, a Local Coordinator earns around $8,000 per year. A very motivated LC may earn twice that much or even more.”  If you consider that these are part-time, flexible positions, it’s not bad if you have an extroverted personality and would like to earn free travel benefits.

If you love to travel, there are lots of different ways you can live the digital nomad lifestyle while still earning an income. Best of all, these travel job opportunities don’t require that you have certification as a travel agent, and many of them even provide training.

Which opportunities sound appealing to you? Do you know of another travel job opportunity? Drop us a note below; we’d love to hear from you!

Originally published November 9, 2012. Content updated October 29, 2019.

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About the Author

Holly Reisem Hanna

Holly Reisem Hanna is a former nurse who decided to start a blog to make money from home while caring for her daughter. Since its inception in 2009, The Work at Home Woman has helped millions of readers find legitimate work at home jobs and business ideas. Under Holly's guidance, The Work at Home Woman was named one of the best websites for your career by Forbes two years in a row. Holly graduated from the University of Texas and has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Woman’s World Magazine, CNN, and many others.

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122 comments.

September 27, 2018 at 10:08 pm

I’m current an at home agent that has worked for an online travel agency part time for almost 15 years. They used to supply the leads however this has changed and we are now required to find our own leads which I find is very difficult in this competitive online market. I’m on the hunt to work with another agency that supplies the leads, do you know of any agencies that are hiring for Independent contractors? Thanks Karen

September 28, 2018 at 8:34 am

There are lots of companies! Check out these two posts for positions:

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/travel-agent/

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/remote-jobs-hospitality/

Good luck and keep us posted ?

November 14, 2017 at 7:22 pm

I work from home and help those wanting to generate extra income from home as an Independent Travel Consultant. There is online training and support provided.

Message me for more info: m.me/lorettabradfordpage

July 19, 2018 at 11:17 am

Hi my name is verneatrice i want learn how to work at home for travel consulant how can you help me to earn rxtra income!!!

December 7, 2018 at 10:40 am

Hello I am interested in being a independent Travel Consultant, I am currently working a full time job so i would like to start off part time. Thank You

January 4, 2019 at 2:39 am

I’d like some info about doing this part time. Thanks, Sadrina

January 8, 2019 at 8:48 pm

Hi, I would like some more information this! Please and thank you!

April 2, 2019 at 7:51 am

Hello, I am looking to earn some money – by working from home in the travel industry. Can yo please give information on getting started? Thank you, Joseph

April 4, 2019 at 6:28 pm

Hello, I am looking for some option for work from home. Will you please help me.

Regards isha

March 11, 2020 at 10:44 pm

Good looking out, Thanks!

May 10, 2017 at 3:15 pm

I am an owner of an agency that specializes in Disney destinations. Our agents are all work from home independent contractors. We are currently accepting new applications.

For more information, please email us @ [email protected]

Please note we are NOT a multi level marketing organization.

Please note we do require our candidates to have significant knowledge of Disney destinations.

May 11, 2017 at 7:09 am

Thanks for sharing, Lynne.

September 4, 2018 at 4:03 pm

Can the information be sent to me?

November 10, 2018 at 12:47 pm

Could i get more information on this

January 24, 2017 at 5:54 am

I work from home as a Travel Agent with a company that has been around for over 25 years! Email me if you want more info as to how you can work from home too! [email protected]

June 29, 2018 at 11:29 am

Hi Jennifer!

I’m a business/marine/medical travel agent, unemployed at the moment, speak 6-8 European languages, been in this industry for 25yrs. Latest employment was at BCD Travel T24 EMEAin Amsterdam – home-based but 5 of us were made redundant (fattest lie ever of 2017) and I’m desperately looking for a new job, preferably in the “After hours/24hrs service” department as I love this bit to be “thrown between” issues from late check-in, strike, weather, whatever…in different languages. Swedish is my native tongue, but rather fluent in English,French, Danish and Norwegian…

Any chance for a European maybe?

November 8, 2019 at 1:55 pm

Hello Can you please send me the information? Thanks in advance. Nerine

July 29, 2016 at 3:17 pm

I am interested in working from home for a company that pays hourly with commissions & benefits. I am confused on the training I should get to book travel, cruises ? I’m looking for Online Training & also earning money at the same time . I would really like some of your great knowledge bc when I call Travel Agencies where I live here in Fl the Customer Service Rep has no idea. Thanks Aileen [email protected]

July 31, 2016 at 10:44 am

Hi Aileen, I don’t know of any travel companies that pay an hourly wage and benefits. When you work as a travel agent you are generally an independent contractor and the way you make money is through commission on sales. The more you sell, the more you earn. You may want to check out becoming a reservation agent or customer service rep for a travel-based company like Hilton or Jet Blue. Also, Working Solutions hires home-based travel agents and they pay an hourly wage — but no commission and again it’s independent contractor – so no benefits. Check out this post for more opportunities: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/travel-agent/ Good luck!

June 17, 2016 at 12:56 am

I’m interested in working from home as a travel agent. Where do I begin?

June 17, 2016 at 7:53 am

Hi Kelly, This article will give you some more insight on how to become a travel agent: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/travel-agent/

March 15, 2016 at 9:31 am

Hi there, I am interested in being a travel agent and also being in the Disney field. I love to travel internationally and have planned my Disney vcations for years now. I am a full time student and I also work, but I want to get into the travel industry part-time as that is what I love.

What do you recommend I do? I saw your Disney page as I clicked on the link, very interested in joining your team. Can you explain a little more on how the works? Costs?

Thank you, Maritza

March 15, 2016 at 12:25 pm

Hi Maritza,

There’s not a lot of information about the Travel With The Magic program. I think it’s setup like a franchise — where you pay an upfront fee and ongoing franchise fees. You can request additional information on their website.

You may also want to check out Mouse Counselors: http://www.mousecounselors.com/join-our-team/

Good luck and keep us posted!

January 3, 2016 at 4:00 am

We need freelance travel agent for inbound travel agency. We can give commission basis business as they can do with us.

Thanks Ajantha

January 13, 2016 at 11:29 pm

I would love information on this opportunity. My email is [email protected]

January 14, 2016 at 6:54 am

Which opportunity, Rachael?

February 1, 2016 at 8:05 am

I am interested in it.

February 2, 2016 at 9:59 am

Which position, Yatendra?

May 30, 2016 at 12:44 pm

I would like to know more about the freelance oportunity my e mail is [email protected]

June 27, 2016 at 3:53 pm

Hello, please send me information on the freelance travel agent for inbound travel agency position. Thank you.

July 20, 2017 at 3:40 am

Hi, I would like to work from home as a travel agent, I live in Europe/Barcelona, I have a little experience working for a German travel agency booking holiday packages to Turkey and Dubai. Kind regards, Preben

January 4, 2019 at 2:44 am

Ajantha, I would love some info on how to get started.

February 13, 2019 at 11:22 pm

Hi, I have travelled extensively over the last 15 years or more throughout the world and am known within our circles as a great travel planner. Please let me know if we can work together for the inbound travel agent requirement. I am based out of Delhi.

December 25, 2015 at 3:42 am

Your article is indeed a very interesting and detailed compilation of some of the travel companies offering work from home opportunities.

The objective of my writing this email to you is to introduce our travel business “Tripmart.com” which also offer work from home opportunity to housewives, students and senior citizens with handsome profit sharing. Tripmart.com is one of the top Global Hotel Wholesalers and have recently started work from home vertical whereby work from home partners sell hotel and other travel product reservations at their leasure and convenience. We also offer white-label solutions to partners.

I would request you if you could spare some time in visiting our website and include our travel company in your updated list of travel companies offering work from home opportunities.

– http://partner.tripmart.com/agent/login.aspx

Thanks for your time.

With warm personal regards,

Abhishek Founder & CEO Tripmart.com

January 7, 2016 at 10:45 am

Hello Abhishek,

I would like to participate in the work from home partner opportunity. I tried using link provided, but was unable to access. How can I get on board?

December 4, 2015 at 12:42 am

Hi there!!!! this is very informative website. I am interested to work at home as a travel agent.But i don’t know how would i find travel agency who are hiring for a position? Second thing is that i am less experienced in this field. So still i can get the job? I would be thankful to u if you can suggest me.

December 4, 2015 at 12:48 pm

Check out this page, Sonali. It lists resources for starting your won travel business, as well as companies that hire remote agents: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/travel-agent/

September 18, 2015 at 8:25 am

Hi, I am also interested in knowing how can we find travel agencies, who have provide work from home option???

September 18, 2015 at 1:49 pm

Working Solutions hires home-based travel agents: http://www.workingsolutionsjobs.com

September 12, 2015 at 2:20 pm

Very helpful info!! Question about at home travel agents, how do I find travel agencies that hire for this position?

Thanks!! Love your posts :D

May 23, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Hi, I am interested in working from home, but it is extremely hard to know what is a scam and what is not. I have a daughter that is almost two and a son that just turned a month old, my husband has multiple sclerosis and can’t do to much so an at home job is something I really need to find. I have dealt with customer services but that’s pretty much it, I have great computer skills and can type really fast, I am just not sure what is out there for me. I could really use some help if possible, any is very appreciated. Thank You, Cherilyn

February 18, 2016 at 8:06 pm

Hi Cherilyn,

I have my own business as an independent travel agent with a host company called Inteletravel. This at home travel agency has been around 25 years and has a rating of A on BBB. I make money doing what others are doing anyway. My site is Amandawilliams.inteletravel.com if you want to check it out. There is plenty of support and resources available for you to be successful in this business. You would be working for yourself but not by yourself unless of course you want to work alone. If you are interested I will provide you more details on how to get started.

March 6, 2016 at 2:00 pm

I am interested in working as a travel agent from home. after reading your post I am hoping you can explain the process of starting up and details of the job.

Thank you for your time, Annie

March 6, 2016 at 3:17 pm

Hi Annie, If you’re unfamiliar with the travel industry, I’d suggest purchasing a “how to become a travel agent” guide. Once you familiarize yourself with the industry, you’ll need to figure out if you want to go out on your own, or if you want to work with a host agency. There are pros and cons either way you go. After that you’ll need to setup some business basics which you can read about here:

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/10-steps-to-setting-up-your-new-home-based-business/

April 1, 2016 at 11:47 am

Hi Amanda I would really like information on how to become an independent travel agent also.

May 10, 2016 at 8:40 pm

Amanda, thanks for sharing about your home travel business….I’d love more information please. Thank You !

September 18, 2016 at 5:37 pm

More information my E-mail [email protected]

September 20, 2016 at 9:26 pm

I’m interested Amanda!

November 12, 2016 at 9:50 pm

Hi there! I am in the military but wanted an extra way to earn money on the side. I move around a lot so something online would be the best option. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

November 13, 2016 at 4:14 pm

These articles will give you a great place to start your WAH job search:

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/earn-income-2016/

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/right-job/

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/work-home-jobs-location/

February 16, 2015 at 7:01 am

Hi there, I am also looking to work from home or online as I have a 10 month old baby girl who I miss to death while im slaving away at the office from 8-5 mon to fri. I currently work at a travel agency as a travel consultant. My biggest dilemma is that I live in Namibia and it is extremely difficult to find an online job from here. I have thought about starting my own travel business at home but do not have the resources and companies such as travel counsellors do not offer employment in Namibia.

February 16, 2015 at 1:24 pm

Most of our job leads are for US residents.

Check out this post for global jobs: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/

Were you based in the US before?

April 18, 2015 at 11:49 pm

Paycation offers you the opportunity to become a certified travel agent while also giving you the opportunity to have residual income that is earned weekly and paid monthly. The business allows you to make money from home or anywhere using your computer, tablet and even a smartphone. Information is on the website. Click “Opportunity” for information and “Join Us” to start earning extra income. Contact information is on the website

April 23, 2015 at 9:09 pm

Hi, I am intetested to start working from home as a travel agent. Can you please send me by email all the information?

Best Regards, Vivian

April 24, 2015 at 10:34 am

Hi Vivian, Just click on the links to the resources and you can get additional information. Good luck and keep us posted.

January 27, 2015 at 9:46 am

Am looking how to get work from home.

January 27, 2015 at 10:41 am

Are you looking to make extra cash? Part-time or full-time job? Start your own business?

July 22, 2017 at 4:17 pm

I’m an single mom looking for income also freedom from my current job I do deep cleaning but want to one day start my own business but got to pay my school

July 24, 2017 at 7:51 am

Hi Jessica,

https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/best-work-from-home-jobs/

April 22, 2016 at 6:54 pm

Hi, Ola I am a work at home travel agent and I am loving it every aspect of it. The compensation plan is AWSOME. If you would like to know more email me . Thank you,

April 24, 2016 at 6:45 am

I woud love to know more about your work at home travel position.

April 26, 2016 at 5:40 pm

I am also interested in working from home. How did you get started? I look to travel so that would be amazing to be able to help others plan there travel.

Thank you Kacie

April 27, 2016 at 12:08 pm

Please give me some info I would love to work from home as a travel agent.

April 27, 2017 at 1:38 pm

I am as well a travel agent with the 110 % getting lowest price on all travel, many perks, bonuses, free trips, the best training on the planet. love to shair

May 2, 2016 at 6:07 pm

Hi I’ve got my diploma of tourism and I’ve worked in retail for a couple of years but I want to get started working from home , will you be able to help me ?

May 3, 2016 at 8:32 am

Hi Neranda, This post will give you an excellent place to start your job search: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/right-job/ Good luck!

May 7, 2016 at 1:52 pm

Hi Varina! Could you please tell me how to be an at home travel agent? Thank you in advance for your response.

Best, Francine

May 22, 2016 at 8:29 am

I am interested in earning an extra income but don’t want to leave home. I have a full time day job..

May 23, 2016 at 9:01 pm

Hi Varina, Me and My Wife are Freelance Tour Consultants based in Chennai, India. Is your plan applicable for India too. Please do let me have more details. Thank you

May 24, 2016 at 3:30 pm

I would love more information about home based travel agent.

May 30, 2016 at 12:37 pm

Could you give me more info about working from home. You said you love it. I have a 2 year old kid and I would like to spend time with her

June 13, 2016 at 9:33 am

hi I would like to do work at home please let me know how I can do it

June 13, 2016 at 9:49 am

If you have more specific questions, let me know, I’ll be happy to help.

July 4, 2016 at 12:30 pm

Hello i am interested from working from home can you offer me some more info on how to get started and what’s it’s like

July 4, 2016 at 6:01 pm

I’m interested in getting to know how to start a travel business

November 17, 2016 at 5:41 pm

I am in the same boat, I only have some rough basic knowledge.

July 6, 2016 at 7:54 pm

Hi i would love fo work from home im a mother at home im in australia

July 14, 2016 at 10:42 pm

I’m interested. Please tell me more.

August 13, 2016 at 12:03 am

Please email me with more details

September 17, 2016 at 11:30 pm

I am very interested in receiving more info on being an at home travel agent. You can email me at [email protected] . thank you for your time.

November 21, 2016 at 10:50 pm

I’m interested in becoming an at home travel agent.

August 24, 2016 at 3:54 pm

I am interested in this business. Can you tell me about the rewards you have seen doing this home based business.

August 28, 2016 at 11:32 am

I’d like to get more info on work at home travEl agent.

May 10, 2017 at 8:20 pm

I would like to know more about it.

September 8, 2016 at 4:55 pm

Hi! I am very interested in what you have to say and have questions too.

September 20, 2016 at 9:21 pm

Hi there! I am very interested in the fact rhat you are an at home travel agent. Ive always wanted to do this!

September 25, 2016 at 5:43 pm

Hi ola I would be interested in the travel agent

September 25, 2016 at 5:57 pm

I am also interested on getting information to become a home based travel agent

October 18, 2016 at 10:42 pm

I am interested to know how to start work at home travel agent. Could you please tell me more about how to start and any information will be great! Thanks

November 20, 2016 at 6:09 pm

I would love to know more please!

December 6, 2016 at 7:11 am

I am also interested

December 28, 2016 at 6:28 pm

I would like to know more about travel agent.

December 28, 2016 at 10:36 pm

More information pl ease

December 30, 2016 at 4:30 pm

I would love to learn more about the job

January 7, 2017 at 7:27 am

Hi, I would like to know more about selling travel from home, thanks

January 10, 2017 at 8:29 pm

Hi Ms. Doss I am interested in starting my own travel agent business from home. Can you please give me information to get started and how it works.

January 11, 2017 at 6:59 am

Im very very interested too. Please more information about travel business and agent. Greetings!

February 16, 2017 at 4:54 pm

Hi, I’m considering getting into the travel industry. Any suggestions on the best way to do this?

March 23, 2017 at 4:42 pm

Pls email me with info on your career how did you get started [email protected] thanks.

April 9, 2017 at 10:10 pm

Hi Ola what is your email I am more interested in this work Kind Regards Priti

April 11, 2017 at 11:59 am

Please let me know more this! Ann Harris

April 19, 2017 at 8:56 am

Hi, I’m interested in working as a travel agent from home. I’m very passionate about traveling and new places but I’m not really sure how everything works.

April 23, 2017 at 10:49 pm

Varina, I would like more information as well.

Kind reguards, Lisa Peterson [email protected]

April 29, 2017 at 6:28 pm

Hi my name is Terica I’m interested in the how, what when and why you got started in becoming a travel agent from home could you email me I would love to talk with you.

May 19, 2017 at 4:32 am

Could you please guide me on how to go about starting an opportunity on work from home in travel. Will love to be guided by you on this.

Cheers, Saloni [email protected]

June 2, 2017 at 3:37 am

i would love to know more about travel agent

June 11, 2017 at 11:45 pm

I am Interested in the travel agent information

July 6, 2017 at 7:35 am

Please send info on being a travel agent.

July 11, 2017 at 8:32 pm

I would love to hear more about home based travel services, please share your information with me, thank you

July 26, 2017 at 5:58 am

I’d love to know more about being a travel agent!

July 26, 2017 at 8:26 am

I would love to know more. Email address please!

August 11, 2017 at 8:24 am

Varina Doss can I have more info about your successful at home travel agent business

August 14, 2017 at 8:43 am

Take a look at this post, Lisa: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/travel-agent/

September 16, 2017 at 3:36 pm

I am interested but dont know how to get started.

November 10, 2017 at 12:34 pm

Hi I studied tourism and worked in the field for two years I am looking for a part time job in tourism working from home Would you be able to help me? Thank you

November 24, 2017 at 3:40 pm

I am interested in learning a work at home based job. I’d really appreciate any information and help as to what’s the first step in learning how to get started. My email is: [email protected] Thank you! ?

December 9, 2017 at 10:39 am

I would like more info!

December 10, 2017 at 5:36 am

I would also like you to send me more information My email: [email protected]

Regards Nellia

January 9, 2018 at 5:51 pm

I’d like to know more about a work from home travel agent

May 8, 2018 at 8:43 am

Tell me more about work at home travel agent

November 12, 2012 at 12:46 pm

I found this blog very interesting to read. I know working from home is in a high demand for mothers. making convenient to spend time with her children and making it possible for her to make an income. One thing I have noticed was the job listings found on Granted.com they have a wide range of job postings.

November 13, 2012 at 6:21 pm

Thanks for the suggestion – I haven’t checked out granted.com yet.

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Become a Travel Agent from only $125! Call (800) 940-8801 or Join Online!

Become a travel agent with an award winning travel agency, join & start today for just $125 as a prestige network agent, prestige travel systems – the original host.

• Supporting Home Agents for over 25 Years
• Earn Up to 100% Commission
• Multiple Income Opportunities and Programs
• Travel Booking Website
• Exclusive Agent Portal & Learning Management Site
• Access to Travel Deals
• Work from your Home or Existing Business
• Get Started Right Away
• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

Join Now for $125 or Call (800) 940-8801 or Jump Start Your Travel Business with Our XTP Program ! Join the Prestige Agent Network…

Work from Home, Office, Online or Anywhere…

Consider becoming a travel agent and starting your own travel business and you will find a method to turn travel into a profit-making opportunity. You can have a full-service travel agency in your home, office or through a virtual office and begin receiving commission on all travel you book.

The Prestige Agent Network has created a travel business opportunity where you earn commission for your personal travel, friends, family and other travel clients. We encourage you to explore this concept and discover how travel can be a part of your future, and how becoming an independent travel agent can provide a new business or enhance your current business and your life.

Travel is Both a Business and a Lifestyle…

Our proven business system gives you the opportunity to generate a success with home, office or internet based travel business…through friends, acquaintances, business contacts, the internet, organizations and virtually everyone you know.

Get Started Today!  Call 800-940-8801 to Join Now!

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• ALG Vacations – 2022 Elite Diamond Agency
• Royal Caribbean International – 2010 Southeast Region Travel Partner of the Year
• Carnival Cruise Lines – Winner’s Circle Award & Pinnacle Club
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• Easy to Get Started – Work Actively or Just Refer Clients
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• Travel Benefits
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• Incredible Tax Benefits and Deductions
• Work Part or Full Time
• Enrich Your LifeStyle as a Member of the Travel Industry

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Make Money Selling Vacations

Work at Home and Score Travel Perks

Learn More about Dream Vacations Advsior

Don’t you wish you could just go on vacation whenever you want? Become an independent travel agent and work from anywhere in the world online. Dream Vacations Advisors sell cruises, tours, excursions, resort getaways, and other dream vacations and you get to experience those vacations firsthand.

Your online travel agent income comes from the commission for each sale you make

$69 Initial Fee

Get started as a Dream Vacations home-based travel Advisor for just $69

Flexible Lifestyle

Work when you want, from wherever you want

Travel Perks

Score free and discounted rates for your own travel

I’m In!

Do you have people in your life who love to travel?

For every vacation you sell, you’ll earn a commission. Yes, it really is that easy! Sell to friends, family, neighbors, or even that one guy who follows you on social media. Your customers will love the fact that they pay the same (or better) price for their vacation by booking with you than they would directly through travel providers.

3 Simple Steps to Get Onboard!

It’s easy to get in on the fun and join our travel tribe. Put some cash in your bank, work when you want, and get extra travel perks. From a villa in Bali to the mountains of Colorado, make money from anywhere in the world when you become part of the Dream Vacations family as an independent home-based travel advisor.

Ready? Watch our Webinar

Don’t just take it from us…

“I love working with this business – it gives me the opportunity to make dreams come true. I connect with my clients to deliver an experience tailored to them. I have a flexible schedule allowing me to connect more frequently with family who all live in different states. I cherish my freedom to travel and sometimes take my friends and relatives along for the ride as I mark off my Wander List.”

Stacie Yarbrough

Dream Vacations Travel Advisor

“I enjoy the comfortable feeling of having franchise owners that are very knowledgeable and are always there for me. I relish in the freedom of having so many choices of vacation options to offer my clients, and the support and accessibility from our parent company who is always helpful and there to answer questions and help. This business makes me feel fantastic! The icing on the cake is going to the annual Conference and celebrating the year with your peers!”

Adam Taffel

“Being an advisor since 1997 has been an exciting adventure with the Dream Vacations family! My clients’ vacation dreams have enabled me to see the world through their eyes, in addition to my own personal experiences! I’m excited to continue this journey with the ability to work with the support of my agency, and still manage my direct clients. Dream Vacations is the best!”

Judy Raikes

Do you think you could sell a vacation to one of these locations?

If so, you could be a home-based travel agent and Dream Vacations Travel Advisor

All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico

Caribbean Cruise

European Guided Tour

Start Selling Vacations

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How it Works

You may be wondering how to start a home-based travel agency that lets you work from anywhere..

The travel industry is one of the fastest growing industries, which provides a formula for long-term success with a tours and travel franchise. With a strong economy, people have more disposable income and want to spend it on vacation experiences. Your at-home travel business requires no inventory and no overhead, and has no geographic restrictions. Our work-from-home travel business franchise opportunity is attractive for so many reasons, but here are a few things that make us the best travel franchise:

Register for Free Webinar

How to Start a Home-Based Travel Business

Dream Vacations lets you sell all kinds of vacation experiences! Resorts, luxury tours, cruises and more – you will be able to craft your customer’s perfect dream vacation, whatever that may be!

• No travel business or industry experience necessary.
• Our home-based travel business owners come from many different social and professional backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common – a passion for travel and a commitment to succeed.
• As an at-home travel business franchise owner, you’ll receive 100% of the travel industry’s highest-paid commissions. Plus, we’re able to pay you your commissions weekly via direct deposit.

Get Started

Here’s how we help set you up for success:

Database Growth Tools

Dream Vacations in the only travel franchise to fully fund a quarterly sweepstakes for database growth. This, virtual events, and our free marketing tools ensure you’ll always have a growing database of customers.

Grow Your Footprint

We’ve recruited the industry best travel agents for 40 years, so we help you recruit associates to work alongside you and your work-from-home franchise agency, helping your business grow its full potential.

Lead Generation

From lead generation programs to database growth tools, Dream Vacations helps you identify leads, build your database and engage with your customers so you can help plan their ultimate dream vacation.

Support & Training

To grow their businesses, franchise owners are provided with valuable franchise training, support, and proven systems for the life of their franchises (support offered in-person, virtually and 24/7 on demand).

So many travel experiences, so many ways to make money!

Dream Vacations is an all-encompassing brand offering all types of vacation experiences and the opportunities are endless. There is nothing more important than having a brand that shows you how to start a home-based travel agency and sets you up for success.

Cruise Packages

Destinations & Resorts

Hotels & Car Rentals

Weddings & Honeymoons

All Inclusive Resorts

Shore Excursions

Guided Tours

Travel Insurance

One of the best parts? Travel perks and discounts for you to enjoy vacations like these, too!

“National conference and regionals offer you so many opportunities to advance yourself, to learn, to mingle with everyone – I would do the franchise over again in a minute.”

DEBBIE SAXER Franchise Owner

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• The Investment
• What’s Included
• How to Get Started
• Travel Franchise vs Travel Host
• Why Cruise Planners?
• Why a Travel Franchise
• The Franchise for Every Lifestyle
• Travel Industry Discount
• Testimonials
• Meet The Team
• The Benefits
• Guides & Ebooks
• Success Stories
• Video Walkthrough
• STAR University
• Travel Advisor Video Experience
• Entrepreneur Video Experience
• Why Buy Now

The Best Home-based travel business opportunity

With Cruise Planners, you'll receive the support, training, and tools needed to establish your business as a home-based travel agent. There are hundreds of helpful webinars and courses available through Cruise Planners’ own Cruisitude® Academy. We've created a variety of resources to support franchise owners while they are setting up their businesses and to help them grow their businesses. Our STAR (Sales Training to Accelerate Results) University is an in-person training and provides the support of an experienced Home Office Team. You'll also gain access to your own travel agency website, mobile application, and online proprietary tools for researching and booking multiple components of travel – we make it easy for you to get clients, manage those relationships and close sales.

Why You Should Become a Home-Based Travel Agent With Cruise Planners

An Affordable Home-Based Travel Business Opportunity

Cruise Planners is an affordable home-based travel business opportunity that is a tremendous value at our regular $10,995 franchise. We also have special incentives available for military personnel and first responders as well as discounts for travel industry professionals. Cruise Planners' unique combination of low-cost and high value makes us the best low-cost franchise opportunity available.

No travel experience necessary

One of the best the best aspects about Cruise Planners is that many of our successful work from home travel agents didn't have any travel experience prior to joining. Cruise Planners' focus on providing extensive training and support, world-class marketing, and advanced technology is what provides the foundation for success. We pair you up with a business development coach offering one-on-one calls every other week, on-demand training videos, weekly CP LIVE broadcasts from headquarters, STAR University and much more!

Innovative technology

As a Cruise Planners home-based travel agent, you can expect nothing less than cutting-edge high-performance technology, right at your fingertips.

Cruise Planners travel advisors have 24/7 access to a variety of advanced tools whether they are home, on the go, or even while they are traveling:

• CP Maxx : A sophisticated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool and live inventory online booking system
• A fully functional mobile app so you can manage your business from anywhere
• Your own personalized website – not a page on a corporate site
• Group registration tools to maximize your sales revenue
• Cruise Watcher: checks for new itineraries and price reductions to get the best deal for your clients
• Triggered emails : hands-free email program to keep you connected to your clients
• Online on-demand travel advisor training

We also offer our travel advisors tools specific for their clients to utilize. Some of them include but are not limited to: booking directly through travel agents website, online portal for your clients to manage their trips, mobile app to book trips, see upcoming trip information and access destination guides.

The experience of industry leaders

Joining Cruise Planners as a home-based travel agent franchise owner means you will be benefiting from an insightful and influential executive team who sit on advisory boards for all major cruise lines, tour companies and many industry-leading companies.

Cruise Planners has been awarded some of the most prestigious awards within the travel industry: honors and awards from travel partners; Marketing and Technology corporations; and leadership awards.

• Top Workplaces, Sun-Sentinel
• INC 5000 List - Fastest Growing Company, INC Magazine
• Gold Magellan - Unleash Your Travel Instinct, Magellan Awards
• Elite Agency of the Year, Norwegian Cruise Line
• Travel Weekly's Power List, Travel Weekly

Boundless Travel !

Traveling is one of the best perks of being a travel agent. Travel agents need to find out what travel destinations are like, experience the cruises and live through the excursions –what better way to do that then book an actual trip for themselves? This is considered “work” or part of the job. Clients want to book with an expert travel advisor who knows all the ins and outs of the trip. Not only does this make the clients feel you have a personal connection or touch with travel – but they get the vibe their agent knows what they are doing, making them feel that booking their dream vacation with you is an excellent choice.

On top of being able to work and travel the world simultaneously, being a travel advisor can get deep travel discounts. The cruise lines offer familiarization (aka FAM) trips to agents – these can be either low-cost or even FREE to you. It’s an added perk many of our Cruise Planners advisors take advantage of.

Ready to Learn More?

Join us for our next travel franchise webinar to see why cruise planners is one of the best home based businesses to own..

• Why A Travel Franchise
• Meet the Team
• Awards & Accolades
• Partnerships
• Military Program
• Culture & Community
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How to Start a Travel Agency From Home

Last Updated: May 19, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Greg Guiteras . Greg Guiteras is the CEO of Lorraine Travel, LLC, one of the largest privately-owned travel management companies in Florida founded in 1948. With over 34 years of experience, Greg's specialties are in corporate travel management, sales and marketing, contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, and luxury hotel sales. Greg holds a BS in Marketing from Florida State University. Greg has also created WhataHotel!, a website offering exclusive perks on hotel bookings, and CabinMate, an app that matches single cruise travelers with potential cabin matches "in the same boat" to avoid traveling solo on a cruise. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 22 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 405,077 times.

If you are an experienced traveler with a background in sales or travel booking and you are looking for opportunities to work from home, you may be interested in starting a travel agency. Tourism is a strong economic sector, but travel booking is also a service many people would rather perform themselves these days. Still, running your own travel agency from home comes with a unique set of perks, so before jumping in, make sure it's the right move for you. If you want to know more about how to start a travel agency, we’re here to help.

Getting Started

• Look for your state's business zoning laws online. [1] X Trustworthy Source U.S. Small Business Administration U.S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source

• Don't forget to state your personal licenses, degrees, skills, and qualifications in your business plan. This information should include essentially anything you would put in a resume. For purposes of obtaining financing (if needed), you will need to show your potential lender that you are capable of assuming responsibility for your business.

• Analyze demographic information for your area, which can be found at your city or county auditor's office or website.
• Find travel statistics for your proposed specialty area and also find out what proportion of people near you fit your target demographic.
• Use these data to estimate your anticipated business over a given period and what your profit might be.

• Since your business will be run from your home, you may find that you already have many of the items or materials you will need to operate your travel agency (such as basic office supplies). However, you might wish to keep your personal and business materials separate for tax reasons.
• Keep receipts for everything you purchase for your business so you can include them as tax write-offs.

• Be sure to do your homework on this so you don't overestimate your likely earnings.
• Don't forget to account for one-time and/or emergency expenses. For example, perhaps some of your expenses during the first few months of operation will not recur.

• It is a good idea to select a financial institution that has special deals for small businesses (such as rewards or waived annual account fees).
• For ease of tracking and transferring funds when necessary, have both bank accounts be through the same banking institution.
• For tax and legal reasons, do not combine your business accounts with your personal checking or savings accounts!

• As a home travel agent, you could focus solely on cruises, vacation homes, luxury travel, or standard travel specializing in booking flights and hotels. [4] X Research source
• Consider whether you wish to specialize in a certain geographical area. You might be able to offer unique services or deals not found elsewhere by doing repeat business with a handful of resorts (for example).
• Draw from your personal expertise and/or experience in choosing a specialty. Going with what you know is often a solid decision.

Creating a Home Office Space

• You may also have to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for your home office, which could include making your home office accessible to wheelchairs.
• Certain safety precautions may be required for your office space, such as having a smoke detector and/or a fire extinguisher in the room.

• Whether or not your local or state building codes require it, having a separate entrance for your office space is a great feature, as it helps keep your home and work spaces separate and preserves your family's privacy.
• Put a lock on the door that lead from your home into your office. This will keep children, house guests, etc. from getting into your workspace when they shouldn't.

• Make sure your desk is large enough to be useful, yet small enough to fit comfortably in your office. Cramming an enormous desk into a tiny room will make the area feel too small and could create awkward experience for your customers.
• Get a flat-top executive-style desk with no built-in pieces on top that would be positioned between you and your customers. You want your office space to seem as uncluttered as possible.
• While a desk is an important office accessory, you should also leave room for additional essentials, such as a filing cabinet and chairs for your customers.

• Reserve some wall space for any diplomas or certificates you have received (especially those relevant to your work as a travel agent). Frame these and hang them on the wall behind your desk or next to where your customers will be seated.
• Add some plants to your office to make your office feel more comfortable and inviting. Plants add color and help freshen the air; just be sure they don't get so big they encroach on your workspace.

• Make your office a cleaning priority; most of us occasionally allow our homes to fall into disarray when we are busy or overworked, but customers expect to see cleanliness and order in a professional office, even if it is in someone's home.
• A customer who finds your workspace to be cluttered and disorganized may be hesitant to entrust you with their travel arrangements; professionalism is the name of the game here!

Maximizing Your Business and Profit

• You can create a website for free using a number of services, including OnlineAgency.com. [6] X Research source

• If you choose to operate under a "host agency," you may have to check with them regarding your freedom to have a referral relationship with other companies. [7] X Research source
• Referrals are a good option to keep open because it can both offer your clients a wider range of travel options and give you more chances to increase your profits.
• Contact multiple companies and try to establish relationships with all of them. The more companies you work with, the more business you will likely see!

• Professional organizations such as these allow you access to educational materials such as webinars and online discussion forums and hold annual conferences you can attend to learn about new developments in the travel industry.
• Some organization websites have cycling membership features, which (should you be featured) would be massively helpful for increasing your visibility as an agent.
• Some particularly shrewd customers might look for agents who belong to these memberships so they know they are dealing with a vetted professional.
• Check to make sure that your name and business contact information can be found online in organization databases. If your name can't be found on the organization website, then being a member won't increase your visibility much.
• Most professional organizations require an annual membership fee, so build this into your financial projections/business plan if you intend to join any.
• Determine whether you need to meet additional requirements for organization membership (such as nomination by a current member) by visiting the organization website(s).

• You may be able to find training courses specific to running a travel agency.
• Even if you have previous business education or experience, a refresher course can be very helpful, especially for learning up-to-date laws.

• Use social media! Create a profile page on LinkedIn, [11] X Research source Facebook, [12] X Research source Instagram, [13] X Research source Twitter, [14] X Research source or some other widely-used social media site. Post often about offers and services. This should help you attract business through visual exposure.
• Create a channel on YouTube or Vimeo and showcase destinations or resorts with whom your customers have recently booked. You can link the videos to your social media accounts. [15] X Research source [16] X Research source

• If you aren't sure what sorts of incentives your customers are most likely to be interested in, offer a range of rewards for successful referrals. You can also survey customers to discover majority preferences and use this to design your incentive program.
• If you can figure out an incentive system early enough, incorporate this into your business plan.

Community Q&A

• Starting a travel agency can be done with little to no experience. You don't need any special licensing or certification. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Be careful not to violate zoning laws in your area; this could result in fines and the dismantling of your business. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/content/home-based-business-zoning-laws
• ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/190464#sec2
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/Home%20Based%20Business%20and%20Government%20Regulation.pdf
• ↑ http://www.onlineagency.com
• ↑ http://hostagencyreviews.com/starting-a-travel-agency-from-home/
• ↑ http://www.nacta.com
• ↑ http://www.asta.org/
• ↑ http://www.iata.org/Pages/default.aspx
• ↑ https://www.linkedin.com
• ↑ https://www.facebook.com
• ↑ http://www.instagram.com
• ↑ http://www.twitter.com
• ↑ http://www.youtube.com
• ↑ http://www.vimeo.com

About this article

To start a travel agency from home, try to figure out who is most likely to use your service so you know how to market to them. Once you know who the service is for, you should start estimating what you’ll need and how much it will cost to open the store. You’ll also need to open 2 bank accounts, 1 to handle business expenses, and the other 2 handle client booking funds. Finally, you’ll need to decide whether you want to choose a travel niche or be a general travel agency. Keep reading to learn how to open an office in your home! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Start a Travel Agency – Learn from Real Entrepreneurs

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on December 13, 2021 Updated on August 30, 2024

Investment range

$2,150 - $10,600

Revenue potential

$78,000 - $300,000 p.a.

Time to build

0 – 3 months

Profit potential

$62,000 - $90,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Starting your travel agency? Here are the most vital considerations:

• Choose a location —Select a location that is easily accessible for clients and employees. Consider whether you will operate from a home office, a commercial space, or offer remote services.
• Niche — Decide on the types of travel services you will offer, such as leisure travel, corporate travel, group tours, cruises, and destination weddings. Consider whether you will specialize in specific niches, such as adventure travel , luxury travel, or eco-friendly trips.
• Travel agent certification — Consider obtaining travel agent certifications such as those from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or The Travel Institute to enhance credibility and access to industry resources.
• Booking software — Invest in travel booking software and tools to manage reservations, itineraries, and client information. Look for solutions that integrate with global distribution systems (GDS) for access to flights, hotels, and car rentals.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Website and online presence — Create a professional website showcasing your services, destinations, client testimonials, and contact information. Offer online booking options and maintain active social media profiles to engage with potential customers.
• Partnerships — Build relationships with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other travel service providers to generate referrals and access exclusive deals.
• Learn from real entrepreneurs who run a travel agency:

The Journey of Building a Premier Travel Agency with Casey Halloran

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your travel agency today!

You May Also Wonder:

Is a travel agency profitable?

If you run your online travel agency from home, you could have profit margins of up to 80%. Costs to run your travel agency are very low, and you’re paid around a 10% commission on everything that you book. As a home-based, one-person show, you could make $60,000 per year to start, and much more once you’re established.

Should I rent an office space for my travel agency?

Consumers are turning to online travel agencies more and more, which you could easily run from home. If your business grows fast and you need to add staff, you may want to have an office.

How can my travel agency compete with Expedia?

Some consumers prefer the personal service of a smaller online agency that can offer more local, personal insights about travel destinations. The key is to differentiate yourself in some way. You could specialize in certain locations, a specific type of lodgings, such as cabins, or in a type of vacation such as corporate retreats.

What are the main activities of a travel agency?

Travel agencies engage in activities such as providing travel advice, booking travel arrangements, managing logistics, and offering specialized services tailored to clients’ needs.

Is it hard to run a travel agency?

Running a travel agency can have challenges due to intense competition, evolving industry dynamics, regulatory considerations, seasonal fluctuations, and the need for customer satisfaction and crisis management. 

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Every business has its pros and cons, and a travel agency is no exception. You should weigh these carefully to decide if the business is right for you.

• Flexibility – Work from anywhere, even while traveling!
• Minimal Training – Get accredited for free online
• Travel Discounts – Travel agents get top deals and reduced prices
• Demanding Work – With clients around the world you’re on call 24/7
• Fierce competition – Top sites like Expedia, travel networks, advisors, and more

Travel agency industry trends

The US travel agency industry expanded an impressive 75% in the decade leading up to 2020, which saw a massive pandemic-driven downturn. 

In 2021, many travel agents saw a surge in business as travelers unsure of all the constantly changing Covid-19 rules and restrictions turn to them for help, rather than booking their own trips. Global travel advisor InteleTravel experienced a 35% increase in business, not from the disaster year of 2020, but from 2019, which had set records.(( https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/travel/summer-vacation-travel-agents.html ))

Consumers are also turning more and more to online travel agencies, with a study by Expedia showing a 25% increase in the use of online agencies in 2020 alone. Brick-and-mortar agencies seem to be a dying breed, with British travel icon Thomas Cook closing in 2019.(( https://advertising.expedia.com ))

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – Market research firm IBISWorld values the industry at nearly $48 billion in 2022.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/travel-agencies-united-states/ ))  
• Growth forecast – The industry is expected to grow further as the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 5% annual growth through 2030 in the employment of travel agents.(( https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/travel-agents.htm )) 
• Number of businesses – More than 73,000 travel agencies are operating in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/travel-agencies-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – The industry employs more than 250,000 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/travel-agencies-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends in travel agency industry include:

• Home-stay rentals like Airbnb(( https://stepbystepbusiness.com/business-ideas/start-an-airbnb-business/ )) outperformed hotels in 27 top markets during the pandemic
• Book-now-pay-later options, such as those offered by Expedia and Booking.com, are gaining popularity
• Travel agencies undergoing digital transformation in response to the growing demand for online services

Challenges in travel agency industry include:

• Rising gas prices are impacting travel behavior
• Compliance with global Covid-19 protocols
• Keeping up with digital marketing opportunities

What kind of people work in a travel agency?

• Gender – 76% of travel agency managers in the US are female, while 24% are male. (( https://www.zippia.com/travel-agency-manager-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics ))
• Average level of education – 64% of travel agency managers hold a bachelor’s degree.(( https://www.zippia.com/travel-agency-manager-jobs/demographics/#degree-level-types ))
• Average age – The average age of a travel agency manager is 51 years old.(( https://www.zippia.com/travel-agency-manager-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics ))

How much does it cost to start a travel agency?

The startup costs for a travel agency range from about $2,000 to $10,000, with an average of around $6,000. The high-end includes the rental of office space and a larger marketing budget, but you could easily run your online travel agency from home to cut costs.

How much can you earn from a travel agency?

The commission paid to a travel agency by travel vendors such as airlines and hotels is generally about 10%. Some travel agents also charge a nominal consultation fee for each booking, typically between $30 and $50. Those will be your two revenue streams.

The average cost of a one-week domestic vacation is $1,500 per person. The profit margin for a home-based travel agency is usually about 80%. With an office and staff, your margin will likely drop to about 30%.

In your first year or two, you could work from home and sell five two-person vacations each week. At a 10% commission, this would mean $78,000 in annual revenue. You’d have about $62,000 in profit, assuming an 80% margin.

As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 1,000 two-person vacations a year. At this stage, you would rent an office and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to 30%. With expected annual revenue of $300,000, you would make about $90,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a travel agency. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Competition – Big and small online firms; self-booking travelers
• Client Acquisition – Time and marketing will be required to build a reputation

Related Business Ideas

13 Steps to Start an Airbnb Business

How to Start a Bed & Breakfast Business (with Checklist)

Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Successful Glamping Business

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a travel agency, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

As a travel agency, you need to find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Research online travel agents and booking platforms to see their offerings and prices, while keeping an eye out for something that might be missing.

Perhaps you could specialize in travel to an under-appreciated region, such as Southeast Asia, and build a network of relevant contacts and vendors. Or you could focus on finding travelers the most incredible home-stay rentals at the best prices.

You could specialize in family vacations, corporate retreats, or honeymoons. The potential niche options in the travel industry are nearly endless.

What? Determine your services and travel offerings

Travel can involve many facets, and you can handle some or all of them, in addition to flights, lodgings, and car rentals. These might include:

• Booking tours and excursions
• Dining recommendations/reservation
• Travel insurance
• Visa and emergency services

How much should you charge for travel agency services?

Travel vendors, such as hotels, airlines, and car rental firms, pay a commission to travel agents that’s generally about 10% of the booking. For instance, if you book a $1,200 flight on Turkish Airlines for your client, Turkish Airlines will give you, the travel agent, a $120 commission.

As a result, booking flights with a travel agent sometimes costs the traveler slightly more than booking directly with the airlines or through a travel site like Expedia or Orbitz. Thus, to attract customers and boost sales travel agents rely on discounted travel packages.

For instance, a return flight from Chicago to Cancun and a 6-day stay at a four-star all-inclusive resort, plus ground transport, might cost a traveler $1,000 or more to book directly. But travel agents get significant discounts from vendors because they place volume orders, so you’d be able to offer this trip as a $599 package deal.

Even after paying your commission, the traveler still saves a chunk of money by using your services, rather than booking themselves. And keep in mind, the discounts offered by vendors are likely to increase as you become a more established agent. You may be able to negotiate commissions from tour operators and excursion companies as well.

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will depend on the concept you’ve chosen for your agency. If you’ve decided to specialize in family vacations, you’ll be targeting parents. You might find them on sites like Facebook or LinkedIn, rather than Instagram or TikTok.

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your travel agency grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on Craigslist , Crexi , and Commercial Cafe .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Travel Agency Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “travel” or “bookings”, boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “Wanderlust Adventures” over “Beach Bum Vacations” or “Honeymoon Haven Agency”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Travel Agency Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: Present an overview of your travel agency, highlighting its focus on providing personalized travel planning and booking services for various types of travelers.
• Business Overview: Describe the services of your travel agency, including custom travel itinerary planning, booking accommodations, flights, and special experiences.
• Product and Services: Detail the range of travel packages offered, such as luxury vacations, adventure tours, and corporate travel services.
• Market Analysis: Assess the current travel market, identifying target customer segments like families, honeymooners, or business travelers.
• Competitive Analysis: Compare your agency to others, focusing on your unique offerings like specialized destinations, personalized service, or exclusive deals.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategy for attracting clients, using methods like online marketing, partnerships with travel providers, or attending travel expos.
• Management Team: Highlight the experience and expertise of your team in travel planning, customer service, and business management.
• Operations Plan: Describe the process of service delivery, from client consultation to trip execution and post-travel follow-up.
• Financial Plan: Provide an overview of financial aspects, including startup costs, pricing strategy, and anticipated income.
• Appendix: Include supplementary documents such as travel industry certifications, partnership agreements, or detailed client testimonials to support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to travel agencies.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your travel agency will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just needs to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital : Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a travel agency. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.

Step 8: Apply for Travel Agency Licenses and Permits

Starting a travel agency requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your travel agency business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.

You may want to use industry-specific software to manage bookings and scheduling, such as TravelPerk , TravelCEO , and TravelOperations .

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero .
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

Your website should showcase your offerings, customer testimonials, and detailed information about destinations.

Your clients are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Leverage Social Media : Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to share stunning travel imagery, customer stories, and travel tips. Engage with your audience through regular posts, stories, and responses to comments.
• Content Marketing : Start a blog or a YouTube channel providing valuable content like travel guides, tips, destination reviews, and travel trends. This not only helps in SEO but also establishes you as an expert in the field.
• Build Partnerships : Collaborate with local businesses in your chosen travel destinations, such as hotels, tour operators, and local attractions. This can lead to exclusive deals or packages that you can offer to your clients.
• Email Marketing : Collect emails through your website and social media channels and send out regular newsletters with travel tips, special offers, and new package announcements.
• Customer Reviews and Referrals : Encourage your clients to leave reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor or Google. Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful, so consider offering incentives for referrals.
• Attend Travel Expos and Events : Participate in travel expos, seminars, and networking events to build contacts and stay updated on the latest industry trends.
• Offer Personalized Services : Tailor your services to meet individual client needs. Personal touches can make a big difference in the travel industry.
• Utilize Paid Advertising : Invest in targeted ads on social media and Google to reach potential clients. This can be particularly effective when you have special offers or new packages to promote.
• Stay Informed and Flexible : The travel industry is dynamic, so it’s important to stay informed about global travel trends, destination updates, and customer preferences.
• Sustainable and Responsible Travel : With growing awareness about environmental and cultural impacts, promoting sustainable and responsible travel practices can set your agency apart.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your travel agency meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire.

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your travel agency could be:

• Travel to Asia’s best secret destinations
• The best local insights and insider adventures
• Vacations for the whole family, from grandma to the baby!

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a travel agency, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in travel agencies for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in travel. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a travel agency would include:

• Travel Agents – sales and bookings
• General Manager – scheduling, accounting, staff management
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media, other marketing

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.

Step 13: Run a Travel Agency – Start Making Money!

Owning a travel agency means sharing the joy of travel for a living. What could be more fun? It’s also a huge, high-growth industry that you could tap into and grow a profitable business. Startup costs are low, and all you need is a simple accreditation — there’s no real training required. You just need a good concept for your agency and a great marketing plan. Having a strong online presence in this digital age is also an absolute must.

You’ve started off on the right foot by reading this guide, and now you’re ready to begin your trip to entrepreneurial success!

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Travel Agency Name
• Create a Travel Agency Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Travel Agency Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Travel Agency - Start Making Money!

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Unlock Your Business Potential with a Home-Based Travel Agent Host Agency

May 13, 2024

In the ever-evolving travel industry, finding effective ways to maximize profitability is crucial. Partnering with a host agency like Gateway Travel can bring immense value, whether you're new to the field or an experienced travel professional. Let's delve into how this partnership can elevate your business.

Advantages of the Home-Based Model

The traditional travel agency model often incurs high overhead costs such as office space and utilities. A home-based agency cuts these expenses significantly, allowing you to operate from the comfort of your home using technology to connect with clients and suppliers. This setup fosters a personalized service approach, enhancing client satisfaction and retention.

Robust Support from a Host Agency

A key advantage of working with a host agency is the comprehensive support provided. Gateway Travel offers a suite of services including marketing tools, technology platforms, and professional development opportunities. These resources simplify your daily tasks, freeing you up to focus on client acquisition and retention.

In-depth Training and Resources

The travel industry's constant changes can be challenging. Gateway Travel offers extensive training and resources to keep you ahead of the curve. Access to webinars, one-on-one coaching, and exclusive content helps you maintain a competitive edge.

Advanced Marketing and Technology Tools

In today's digital world, a strong online presence and efficient booking systems are essential. Gateway Travel equips you with advanced marketing and technology tools to streamline bookings and effectively market your services. These tools not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance client experiences, crucial for business growth.

Higher Profitability with Better Commission Rates

Partnering with a host agency often results in higher commission rates due to their established relationships with suppliers and volume of bookings. This translates into higher earnings for your business.

Industry Networking and Collaboration

As part of a host agency, you'll join a network of travel professionals. This community allows for the sharing of insights and strategies, which can spark new ideas and opportunities. Also, it facilitates collaboration on larger bookings and access to exclusive travel services, enhancing your offerings.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

Working with a host agency offers unmatched flexibility, allowing you to set your own hours and adjust your workload to fit your lifestyle. This flexibility can lead to greater job satisfaction and productivity.

Enhanced Credibility with Clients

Affiliating with a reputable host agency like Gateway Travel boosts your credibility. Clients tend to trust agents backed by a well-known agency, which can help you attract and retain a robust client base.

Conclusion: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships

Aligning with a home-based travel agent host agency provides strategic advantages in the competitive travel sector. It equips you with essential tools and support to optimize your operations, increase sales, and enhance client satisfaction. With reduced overhead, increased commissions, and the flexibility to manage your business your way, the potential for profit is significantly boosted.

For those looking to start or elevate a travel business, a partnership with Gateway Travel is a stepping stone to success. Embrace a future in travel with a partner that supports your growth at every step.

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Online Opportunity In Travel

Help Others Succeed

The Ultimate System To Help You Create & Scale A Successful Online-Travel-Business

Freedom Through Travel: Evolution-Travel is a home-based travel business supported by established leaders in the travel industry. It offers a unique opportunity to earn income through travel sales and a referral program.

Tailored career support, every step of the way since 1952

70+ Years of Travel: With over 70 years of experience in the travel industry, Evolution Travel provides a reliable and seasoned platform for home-based travel-business-opportunities.

WHO'S A GOOD FIT!!

Travel Enthusiast, New Career Seekers, Need Extra Income, Stay-At-Home Moms, Event Planners, Wedding Officiants & Planners, Club Promotors, Rideshare Drivers, Real Estate Agents, Flight Attendants, Health & Wellness Providers, Yoga Instructors & many more occupations can benefit from this one opportunity, including existing business owners by incentivizing your current business

TESTIMONIALS

More Than Just Travel:

Evolution Travel is not just about travel. It also includes an entertainment division, providing access to major sporting events, concerts, and theme parks worldwide, offering both personal enjoyment and income opportunities.

Extensive Training and Support:

Evolution-Travel offers extensive training and support to its members, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their home-based travel business.

Your Home-Based Travel Business:

Evolution Travel provides a powerful and affordable platform to start your own home-based travel business, with the potential for success derived from both travel sales and a referral program.

Registered Seller of Travel:

Evolution Travel is a registered Seller-of-Travel in all states that require registration, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations and providing peace of mind for its members.

Join one of our daily presentations M-Thu. and learn how to build your online-business from scratch in no time at all.

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TO LEARN MORE!

A legitimate home-based travel host company is registered with relevant authorities, holds necessary licenses and certifications, is affiliated with recognized travel associations, operates transparently, has positive customer reviews, and maintains proper tax records. Yes, we have all of THOSE!

The ease of learning the ins and outs of a home-based travel business largely depends on your prior knowledge, skills, and passion for the travel industry. While it can be a rewarding and exciting venture, it also requires an understanding of various aspects such as travel planning, customer service, marketing, and industry trends. With dedication , resources, and the right training, it can certainly be learned and mastered over time.

We get paid residual and travel commissions on an Akimbo Prepaid Mastercard. Residual commissions are not automatically transferred to the prepaid card. You must withdraw residual commissions from the eWallet in your back office in order to transfer money to your prepaid card. Note: All travel commissions are paid by Archer Travel.

The Akimbo Prepaid Mastercard can be ordered via a link in our back office (you cannot order a card directly with Akimbo; if you order a card directly on the Akimbo website, Evolution and Archer Travel will not be able to post payments to the card). Once you receive your Akimbo Prepaid Mastercard, you must input the card identifier in your back office to link the prepaid card to your account in order to get paid.

There is an option to cancel your membership in the back office. Go to “Account” on the left tab menu and select “Cancel Account”. The only other way to cancel your account or membership is in writing. It is the agent’s responsibility to cancel; you cannot cancel for someone else

(you may forward a partner’s original request).

Earnings and income representations made by our company are aspirational statements only of your earnings potential. The success of each individual is dependent upon their personal efforts, experience, skills & willingness to be mentored. Results may vary, and we make no guarantees regarding your ability to earn income. All earnings or income examples provided are based on actual earnings and are not typical. You agree that myself and our company is not responsible for your success or failure as a result of your participation in this amazing business opportunity.

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Experience a transformative journey toward entrepreneurial success in the travel-industry. With a deep passion for helping-others achieve their dreams, I offer my knowledge and a powerful network of entrepreneurs, invaluable tools, and extensive resources to support over 200+ individuals in becoming successful business owners. Unleash your potential, connect with industry leaders, and turn your passion for travel into a profitable -venture.

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Earnings and income representations made by our company are aspirational statements only of your earnings potential. The success of each individual is dependent upon their personal efforts, experience, and skills. Results may vary, and we make no guarantees regarding your ability to earn income. All earnings or income examples provided are based on actual earnings and are not typical. You agree that our company is not responsible for your success or failure as a result of your participation in this business opportunity.

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Business travel in 2024: how much are travelers really paying out of pocket.

Business trips can get pricey: even with companies managing expenses, travelers often have to fork out their own money to fill in the gaps

by Lark Gould

August 26, 2024

Photo: Courtesy of Briana Tozour / Unsplash

Business travel is not cheap, and while expenses are managed through corporate travel departments, travelers often end up dipping into their own pockets to bridge the gaps.

How big are the gaps? A recent survey by Booking.com puts the average out-of-pocket expenses per trip per traveler at $700. Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) puts that spend at $834.

Increased Global Spend

“Business travel is somewhere between $1.4 and $1.5 trillion in total spend, and it’s a very organized spend,” says Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “We are witnessing the expected rebound in the sector, with projected spending expected to continue to increase through 2028. However, we must remain vigilant and adaptive to potential headwinds in this period of stabilization.”

Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of business travelers globally report increased spending compared to 2023, with lodging accounting for most ($312 on average). Food and beverage expenses average $153, air travel averages $176, ground transportation costs $103, and miscellaneous expenses total $89.

Photo: Business Traveler. Courtesy of Bram Naus / Unsplash

More than half of those surveyed (58 percent) say they extend travel opportunities for some vacation or leisure time.

Despite the impressive and growing business travel trajectory, only 60 percent of companies have a corporate travel policy, according to Trondent, an Illinois-based firm that provides web-based data management services to the global travel industry.

Whether business travelers are funding their own trips or just a portion of it, new reports gathered as the sector climbs out of the pandemic reveal the top priorities during these times are comfort and cost.

Trendex Report

To that end, a 2024 Trendex survey from American Express found that, as far as comfort goes, more than three-quarters (77 percent) of business travelers will pay for a hotel or airfare upgrade for a work trip from their own pocket or with personal points.

Millennials and Gen-Z are almost twice as likely as Gen-X and Boomers to do this frequently (30 vs. 17 percent). Companies cover amenities such as in-flight WiFi and early hotel check-in, usually on a case-by-case basis.

Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Gym access is among the top amenities business travelers want but their companies are not likely to cover that.

Top Incentives

When it comes to out-of-pocket travel costs beyond what may be covered by a company, a March 2024 study by Booking.com found top incentives to be:

• All-paid dining options (52 percent) • Luxury accommodations (47 percent) • Per diem allowances (34 percent) • Premium benefits (33 percent)

The most common categories for add-on payments are dining expenses, entertainment, and tips.

Photo: Courtesy of Henry Deng / Unsplash

What travelers don’t want are last-minute surprises, and that extends to a lack of access to travel managers as plans zig and zag. Nor do they want complicated expense management systems and reimbursement delays,

“We have to think on a business traveler perspective: why are those travelers on the road? What would get their jobs done better? How can they be efficient, productive, and stay well?” says Neufang. “Because that’s still and will be a theme in our discussions for years. The traveler is key as we go forward.”

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Privacy Overview

so that musical…

Hello everybody… guess where I am right now? Yes, I’m home already, and Yes, that means I didn’t actually post anything for the last two weeks of my program. But don’t worry, the posts will still come. I have lots more to talk about, including:

• the musical I was in (that’s what this post is for)
• my trip to St. Petersburg
• wrapping up classes
• saying goodbye to literally everyone

…just be prepared to wait a little between posts.

So, the musical. As you may remember, I was talked into participating in a musical by my friend Ksenia, the director of USTU’s vocal studio. I say “talked into,” because I actually wasn’t as enthusiastic about saying “yes” to this project as I usually am. Because I am not an actress, and I am certainly no good substitute for Stevie Wonder.

Oh yes, that’s right, the musical was based on original translations of Stevie Wonder songs into Russian.

Rehearsals started in February, as Ksenia arranged vocals. 90% of rehearsals at this time were the background vocalists learning weird harmonies and trying to sing them tightly and together.

Then, at some point, we introduced acting to the mix. That went… interestingly.

As we drew near to the time of the show, everything got crazy. We realized just how unprepared we were, the director started to actually despair that Gerar and I would  ever act like the besotten young couple we were supposed to be, and the musical director started to wonder if she shouldn’t have spent more time teaching us to sway our hips convincingly while singing backup. But, in the end, of course, everything went off just fine…

Fine enough, in fact, that the rector (who had been unavailable for the university’s  first ever musical … something about a basketball tournament in St. Petersburg…) requested a repeat. And because he’s the rector, we complied.

I was gone in St. Petersburg for the whole week between the two performances, meaning I missed the rehearsals in between, but stress? What’s that? I was super chill about the second performance, and I enjoyed it a lot more than the first. This is partly because the temperature in the hall was about 70 degrees F as opposed to the 85 it had been during the first run (and if you’ve ever performed in a fleece Snuggie under stage lights in an 85 degree room, you know exactly how uncomfortable the first performance was).

I’ve attached here a few pictures of me from the second performance, but if you want to browse more, check this link .

We ended up getting good press, and overall, I’d say a success for the American in the far north, and an even bigger success for my costars who had actual classes/exams going on the whole time.

And, most importantly, I came out of it with a few more friends and a lot more memories.

things I wish I’d known: may

May is over, and I have set a new record for bad blogging habits! I have a lot of posts in mind, including that one I’ve been promising about the musical I’m in, so hopefully you’ll be seeing those trickle out in the days to come. However, I will warn you: I have 10 days left in Ukhta, and I don’t plan on spending any time in front of the computer that I could be spending elsewhere.

So without further ado, this month, I wish I’d known…

• that May does not exist. Everything you plan to do in May may not actually happen. You will get to the end of the month and not remember it at all.
• that there are exactly three weeks when it is pleasant to be outside, because about that long after the snow melts/mud evaporates, the mosquitoes come out. Take advantage of these three weeks.
• how dastardly bloodthirsty Russian mosquitoes are. My. Goodness. Douse yourself in bugspray before you leave the house.
• that Russian pharmacists don’t know what hydrocortisone is, so bring your own, for those places you didn’t douse in bugspray.
• that your musical isn’t over until the rector says it’s over. (i.e. you think you only have one performance, but don’t count on it — remember about Russians and planning things in advance?)
• that fill-in-the-blank questions with multiple choice on the final exam doesn’t mean your students will be any less stressed or any more successful. Therefore have only short answers and oral testing…?
• that you may not actually want to leave town in May, so plan your travel for those weird fall/winter months when you had no work and no friends and no sunlight.
• that it’s 100% possible to sleep through white nights if your curtains are decent. All curtains in Ukhta are decent. Never fear.
• that a watch is super necessary up here, because telling time by daylight literally doesn’t work at all.
• that everything ends really quickly. Do laundry in advance.

things I wish I’d known: april

This month went even faster than last month… is that possible? But I can’t deny the passage of time, because somehow all the snow is melted, and the ground is starting to warm up, and there’s  grass in some places, and  dandelions in others (never thought I’d be so happy to see dandelions), and also the sky doesn’t get all the way dark till ~11pm, and also it starts getting light again at ~1am (what is this place). Every day feels a little bit warmer, a little bit longer, a little bit closer to the end, a little bit further away from the beginning.

All that drama aside, here’s what I learned this month, that I wish I’d known earlier:

• that it  does get warm in Ukhta, and I  should  bring clothing appropriate to sunny and 60s.
• that there  are nice grassy fields in Ukhta, and I  should bring clothing appropriate to frolicking/grass-sitting.
• that reading an email is not the same thing as replying to it, no matter how it seems at the time (apologies to everyone who has been victim of this).
• how absurdly hot it is in Russian trains, especially on the top bunk in platzkart. Get the bottom bunk.
• that some schools do still carry on the hiring process into May, so not having applications finished in February is not a reason to stress out.
• that the ice here turns to mud when it melts, which then turns into sand when it dries, creating a South-Africa-like effect of dust blowing everywhere.
• that I won’t want to travel the last month of my grant, so I should get all that out of the way in the first semester, before I put down roots here.
• how seriously Russians take the idea of walking around barefoot/in socks as a potential cause of illness (even if this walking takes place exclusively indoors). This is a fact that can be used to comic effect, unless I am in fact sick, in which case they will tell me it’s  because  I walked barefoot, even though it’s probably because I was sharing hot recycled air with fifty people and zero circulation on a train for 11 hours.
• that potatoes can, in fact, go (very) bad in the space of 10 days, even in a dark cool cupboard… and this is, in fact, the source of that fish smell I keep smelling.
• that it’s really embarrassing when my friends are playing keep-it-up and I’m incapable of keeping-it-up, so I should probably take gym class more seriously (this is a “wish I’d known 15 years ago” thing, sorry if it’s not too relevant to any of you).

on the rails again

This week, Vickie and I went to Ukhta State Technical University’s “filial” (partner university? satellite campus?) in Usinsk. This is pronounced Oo-sin-sk (only two syllables, but separated for easier reading). Usinsk is… tiny. Like, we walked from the center to the edge in about 20 minutes. We drove around the entire city (all four streets) in about 30 minutes. But it’s also quite cute, and there’s a nice forest. There’s also a nice 600-student, single-building university, which is the actual reason we went: to teach! (It’s almost like that’s our job or something.)

But first, I want to talk about the  going … the train.

Last time Vickie and I took the train, you’ll remember , it was a 32-hour ride from Moscow to Ukhta, about 96 hours after entering the country. We had a nice (only mildly traumatic, and maximally sedated) experience in  kupe (4-person private cabin).

This time, we had a nice (still only mildly traumatic, although less sedated) experience in  platzkart (open, barracks-style car). We took the fast train there (10 hours) and the slow train back (12 hours).

The Good: Lots of time to sleep, no creepy guys in our immediate vicinity, no drunk people anywhere we could tell. …And, on the way back, our neighbor from the dormitory was just a few bunks down from us! The Bad: SO HOT. I can’t even describe it. Okay fine, it was only 80 degrees F, but there was literally no movement of air, and a whole lot of people… especially on the top bunk, breathing isn’t really a thing that happens. Also, we had one cabin-mate whose snore resembled the revv of a chainsaw. So the “lots of time to sleep” didn’t exactly translate into “sleep.” The Amusing: “Katie, the bathroom is so great!! It has  toilet paper. ” –Standards.

Once in the city, we got settled into our apartment-hotel. I have no pictures, sorry, but I can give you the Good, Bad, and Amusing of it…

The Good: Beds! Hot shower! Functional kitchen! The Bad: Have you ever seen  The Irony of Fate ? …yeah. The first night we spent about 30 minutes trying to find the right place, then about 15 trying to get the key to work in the door when we’d found it. Turns out we were still in the wrong building. I at that point was mildly feverish with a headache and sore throat, and Vickie also had a migraine, and we were carrying ~7kg of groceries, and basically we were a sight to be seen. The Amusing: Trying to leave a note for our roommates telling them they could help themselves to our pasta… while slightly delirious and with no good sense of Russian whatsoever.

We had classes with the university students…

The Good: My class on Wednesday had only eight students, so we could play games, and they could all have a chance to talk! The Bad: Only two of the eight  wanted to talk. Too bad for the others, because I didn’t take a 10-hour ride in a fiery furnace just to watch people stare silently at me for two hours. The Amusing:  At the English Club meeting on Tuesday, Vickie and I started (as usual) in English. This was met with much and vocal protest, and pleas to answer their questions in Russian. We, receiving affirmation from the authorities there, did so. We heard later that the students had complained that they “expected us to speak English with them, but we only spoke Russian the whole time!” Okay.

We also got to see some of the  dostoprimechatel’nosti  (tourist sights) of the town.

The Good: Nice weather,  flowers , an interesting tour guide (hi Olga!) The Bad: I was sick the whole time and carrying an enormous backpack for part of it, so I was kind of grumpy. The Amusing: Can we just talk about the mosquito monument?

Among the other  dostoprimechatel’nosti , we got to see the forest in Usinsk. The idea was, I think, to take a nice, brisk walk… which turned into more of a run/quick tramp for us. But we lived. And the forest is beautiful.

The Good: Beautiful nature, beautiful dog. The Bad: Vickie falling into the snow, my feet freezing. The Amusing: Yeah, that hole in the ice? Olga literally went swimming in it, then we walked for another 45 minutes.

All in all, good trip. But now I need to go take some NyQuil and catch up on sleep. (…And consider packing ice and an oxygen tank next time I take a Russian train.)

russian food, part three

This post isn’t actually about Russian food. It is, rather, about the food Katie eats in Russia.

Anticipatory apology to my parents/anyone who feels invested in my wellbeing. You may want to skip this post.

My day begins with breakfast, a maximum of 6 minutes after I roll out of bed in the morning. Yes, my metabolism is overactive.

Breakfast consists of a combination of cornflakes/granola and yogurt/milk. The four options afforded by this graph are way too overwhelming, so I usually have only one product of each category in my room at a time. Right now, though, I have cornflakes AND granola. This means I actually have to think in the mornings.

If my milk-product-of-the-week has gone bad unexpectedly (which happens, since the yogurt I buy has a 5-day lifespan, and the milk is only drinkable for 3 days before it becomes… well… edible), I eat bread with cheese or an apple instead.

At some point between breakfast and lunch, I eat an apple, a mandarin, or salted peanuts.

For lunch, I sometimes eat at the school cafeteria, but more often I eat open-faced sandwiches and veggies. Some examples from the past week:

I don’t require a lot of variety in my diet, but what I do comes in the choice of bread (brown or white?) and vegetable (pepper or tomato? or fruit?? wow). I can also choose my cheese/meat, but I tend to only buy one package of meat and one of cheese at a time, for minimum food waste.

Then, between lunch and dinner, I eat another apple or a pirozhok, usually while walking from one class to another. When it’s cold out, this results in blue hands, but it’s worth it for a full stomach.

For dinner, it often happens that I am fed by well-meaning Russian friends (“Do you eat, ever? Here, have this 5-egg omelet”). This is awesome, even if sometimes it results in overstuffing. These meals do not always include the quantity of vegetable matter I myself would choose, but they fill me up and make me feel like a real human. For all the other days, there’s “rabbit food.” This is a dish that consists of lentils, barley, onion, and garlic, which I make every so often and can last me up to one week in the fridge, or two in the freezer. For fun, I add cut-up veggies, cheese, spices, and/or olive oil.

My rabbit food elicits various reactions that all carry the same tone of judgment… “That can’t taste good.” “Is that your dinner?” “Are you on a diet??” The answers: “Good enough.” “Yes, it is.” “ No, I’m not .” The reasoning behind this dish is simple. I eat in order to not be hungry, and to give my body the nutrients it needs. This meal fills me up, and it covers most of the major food groups (protein, carb, dairy, veggie, fat). Plus I only have to prepare it once a week. AND it travels nicely. Win-win-win-win. Highly recommend.

Then, before bed, I usually end up eating bread with butter, olive oil, or peanut butter, or a few slices of cheese.

So this is my average pattern. However, sometimes I feel inspired (read: have guests) and make actual food (this happens about once every 7-10 days). “Actual food” still usually comes in the form of a single dish, because I can’t quite get my head around planning separate parts to a meal. This could mean fried rice, potatoes with some onion-apple-pork stirfry splotched on top, or any of the following…

I AM a real person! I CAN cook! Sort of.

What I have been doing a lot of recently is baking. Russians love American baked goods… I mean, how would you feel if you encountered brownies for the first time at 56? Or even 23? I’ve gained myself a reputation as a baker, which is hilarious, since I hate making things precisely by recipes (as may be inferred by my choices of savory cooking pictured above). Anyone, especially my sister, could tell you that I have no special gift for pastry. Actually, that’s not entirely true: my special gift is that I am an accomplished googler with an advanced command of the English language. In Russia, that makes all the difference. Here, enjoy pictures…

Not pictured but also popular: pumpkin pie (x4), apple pie (x2), pumpkin chocolate chip bread, brownies (x3 with Snickers, x3 without), chocolate chip cookies (x2), snickerdoodles, honey-egg bread. I need to start remembering to photograph these things.

The takeaway: Mom, I’m getting through just fine, but I’m already excited about the cheeseburger and salad we’re going to have when I get home. T-58 days.

russian food, part two

I love talking about food, therefore we’re going to continue this series a while longer.

This time, I want to talk about Russian food culture. I don’t mean “cultural foods”… I mean the culture  around  foods. Let me begin by describing two typical family meals, one with my family in America, one with my tutor’s family here in Ukhta.

The first scene opens with Mom in the kitchen laying pieces of meat on some sort of plate, Katie putting silverware and napkins on the table, Kristen grabbing the salad dressing (not mayonnaise), and Dad walking to the table from his office. In a minute, the middle of the table is occupied by a large glass bowl of salad (60% romaine lettuce, 10% tomatoes, 10% raw mushrooms, 10% cucumbers, 10% fresh-grated cheddar, 0% mayonnaise ), a platter of italian-marinated grilled chicken breasts, and a basket of bread. Each plate has already been served a helping of rice, because a rice pot on the table is just uncomfortable. Each plate also has standing above it a glass full of cran-apple juice (Dad and Katie) or water (Mom and Kristen). We all sit down together, pray, and begin passing the food around. We discuss our day, the things we did, the people we saw. We eat, really slowly, pausing also to drink at various points in time. When we’ve finished, one of the servants (i.e. Kristen or Katie) takes the dishes to the sink, where they will be washed later. If Dad takes the dishes to the sink, he probably washes them right away. In an hour or two, people begin trickling back to the kitchen to dish themselves a bowl of ice cream, which might be eaten upstairs while working on the computer, downstairs while watching TV, or in the kitchen while staring at a wall. The lights dim, the curtain falls.

The second scene opens with Katie entering a Russian apartment for the fiftieth time this calendar year, taking off her boots, greeting the cat, and beginning to regret wearing a sweater (because it’s 90 degrees in this apartment). Natasha, her tutor, is maybe finishing something in the kitchen, while Natasha’s mom is sitting at the computer playing Solitaire or Mahjong. Katie goes to the kitchen and asks if she can help, at which point she is given a bowl and told to give herself as much soup as she wants. Katie ladles some soup into the bowl and goes to the living room, where a little table has been set with paper-towel-placemats and silverware, along with a bowl of salad (60% cabbage, 10% bell pepper, 10% onion, 10% cucumber, 10% tomatoes, 0% mayonnaise, because they know Katie by now). Natasha comes soon, bringing her own soup. She offers Katie mayonnaise or (because she loves Katie) sour cream for the soup. She asks her mom if she wants anything, to which her mom says (for the fiftieth time this calendar year), “No I don’t want to, I just ate.” Natasha and Katie eat soup, during which time they talk and Natasha’s mom chides her for talking and not letting Katie eat. Then Natasha disappears into the kitchen and reappears with two plates of mashed potatoes and cutlets . After these have been eaten, Natasha takes the plates to the kitchen and reappears with cups, two kettles, and a tiny teapot. The tiny teapot is full of zavarka , which basically translates to “incredibly strong tea.” The kettles have, respectively,  kipiatok (boiled water) and  kholodnyy kipiatok (cold boiled water), for the watering down of the zavarka . Tea is consumed with chocolate, store-bought cupcakes that sometimes taste heavenly and other times taste like cardboard, or buttered bread with cheese . After tea, the cups and teapot are left on the table, because in an hour or two we’ll probably have second tea. Exit Stage Left. etc.

So, you’ll notice one thing right away: Russian mealtimes are very structured. One does not eat the hot food (usually called the  vtoroe , or “second”) before the soup, or tea before the  vtoroe . Meanwhile in America, all of the food is on the table at the same time, and you eat as you like. Maybe you want to finish your salad before you start your chicken. Maybe you want to eat one bite of each thing in a circle around your plate. Up to you.

The last difference I’ll note in mealtimes is the expectation here that you would not eat and talk at the same time. That’s probably very mannerly, in fact, now that I think about it. Guess Americans are rude after all.

Another difference in food culture here is that you  do not eat while you walk, unless it’s ice cream. That’s literally the only time it’s okay. For a perpetual eat-and-walk-er, this poses a problem. Not because I’m going to stop my strolls through the park with big crispy apple in hand, but I sometimes get embarrassed feel like I have to hide the apple behind my back when someone approaches me from the front. It’s part of a more leisurely culture, I think, where taking a 3pm tea break is not only normal, it’s expected, and it will probably be extravagant by American Starbucks-to-go standards. Yes, eating on the go can be a purely voluntary activity, especially when the weather is nice and you want to stand outside in the sun, but you don’t smoke, so you need something else to do. But many times I’ve eaten on the go, it’s been because I’m running from one class to another and have barely enough time to get there, let alone eat lunch. Or because I have roughly the metabolism of a butterfly.

The last difference I’ll note is in the conception of portions/types of food necessary to health. Here, I’d say 40% of your diet is easily potatoes. The other 60% is divided between bread + dairy + eggs + fruits + vegetables + meat. Beans and nuts don’t make much of an appearance, and honestly neither do many vegetables. Maybe I’m too much of a southerner to understand how potatoes with cabbage and onion constitute a veggie dish, but… I need crunchy things with bright colors! This is why I carry an apple with me everywhere, to the confusion of my friends. I think the American diet easily comprises a lot more raw vegetable matter, and a lot less starch/dairy than the Russian diet. And yet, somehow, Russians go to America and gain weight, and Americans go to Russia and lose weight. This doesn’t make any sense until you realize that humans are actually phototrophs. This is not a well-known scientific fact, but I’m working on some research right now.

Coming soon: what Katie actually eats!

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We live in the Komi Republic.  The Komi Republic is a federal subject of Russia. The republic is situated to the west of the Ural mountains, in the north-east of the East European Plain. The republic's natural resources include coal, oil, natural gas, gold, diamonds and timber.

The Komi Republic's major industries include oil processing, timber, woodworking, natural gas and electric power industries. Major industrial centers are Ukhta, Syktyvkar, Inta, Pechora, Sosnogorsk, and Vorkuta. Short video about the republic:

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Study in Russia. Higher education: bachelor, master, engineer, PhD, Oil and Gas Engineering.