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Travel Agency

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How to Start a Travel Agency

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 March 13, 2024

How to Start a Travel Agency

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

Who doesn’t love to travel? But most of us do not love the endless research, planning, and booking required, which sometimes feels like it takes more time than the vacation itself. This is precisely why the $35 billion US travel agency industry has been booming of late, and why it offers a real opportunity for the travel-minded entrepreneur.

By starting your own online travel agency, you can shoulder travelers’ burden and ease their anxiety, allowing them to enjoy their holiday while you make a healthy profit. And thanks to the post-pandemic boost, now is a great time to get in on travel.

Of course, starting a travel agency will not be a vacation – it will take diligence, patience, and strong guidance. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place, as this step-by-step provides all the information you need to develop and launch your new travel agency and give you a head-start on your entrepreneurial journey.

Step by Step Business values real-life experience above all. Through our  Entrepreneur Spotlight Series , we interview business leaders from diverse industries, providing readers with firsthand insights.

Uncover the secrets to building a thriving travel agency with our interview with Casey Halloran of Costa Rican Vacations .

Looking to 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 .

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/ ))

travel agency industry size and growth

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

travel agency industry Trends and Challenges

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 ))

travel agency industry demographics

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.

travel agency business earnings forecast

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

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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.

travel your business

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

What? Determine your products or services

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

travel agency business idea rating

Step 3: Brainstorm a Travel Agency Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

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”
  • Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
  • Use online tools like the Step by Step business name generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

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

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

  • 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.

what to include in a 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.

types of business structures

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 2023

travel your business

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.

travel your business

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.

types of business funding

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!

unique selling proposition

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!

  • Travel Agency Business FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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

Effective marketing strategies for a travel agency include building a strong online presence, targeted advertising, content marketing, collaborations and partnerships, and leveraging customer referrals and reviews.

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. 

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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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If there is one thing most people can agree on, it’s that traveling is one of life’s great pleasures. Exploring new cultures, visiting the world’s great wonders, spending days following your instincts and trying exotic foods — there’s a lot to love about discovering new places.

If you want to take your love of travel to the next level and start a business to serve your like-minded wanderlusters, you should consider these fun and profitable travel business ideas.

travel your business

What is a travel business?

There are two overarching types of travel businesses worth considering. First, you could think about starting a business that provides services or goods for travelers — running a hotel, for example. The second option is to start a business that you can run from anywhere in the world while you yourself travel. In many cases, this type of business revolves around travel, such as working as a travel writer and writing stories about your latest adventures.

What makes a travel business idea a good one?

A good travel business should combine two things: reliability and excitement. When you run a travel business, your clients need to be able to trust you. They need to feel confident that the tour group you run is legitimate and will show them the best sites. Or that the blog you run about the best inns on the east coast actually gives honest reviews.

At the same time, you need to offer services or create content that excites your customers. Introduce them to sights off the beaten path. Help them unwind and relax while on their vacation. Find a way to create trust amongst your customer base while offering them an experience they can’t find anywhere else.

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12 travel business ideas for 2021

If you’re unsure of what type of travel business ideas could work for you, keep reading for some popular options. These ideas range widely and you should put your own creative spin on them. At the end of the day, think back to your passion for traveling. What services or products have made the most difference to you on past trips? What did you feel was missing? Can you find a way to make a living on the road while capitalizing on your skillset? Chances are, you have more ideas at the ready than you think.

1. Modernized bed and breakfast

B&Bs have been popular for decades — they outlive trends and are clearly here to stay. But why not step things up a notch and find a way to modernize the bed and breakfast experience a little bit? Make sure your rooms are outfitted with nice televisions so guests can enjoy a movie night in their cozy room. Offer unique culinary experiences. Decorate in a way that feels timeless but fresh at the same time. A bed and breakfast is a smaller operation than a hotel and is a great way to break into the hospitality business. If you need a little help funding your bed and breakfast, consider one of these financing options.

2. Off-the-beaten-path tour guide

Tour groups are a dime a dozen. But if you can offer a unique tour, you’ll be able to stand out from the competition. What do you love about your city? Maybe you can find the best coffee, chocolate, or salty treats at your local shops and restaurants. Organize a foodie tour of your town that highlights how your local delicacies are made. Of course, you’ll have to include tastes of all the local treats.

Or consider organizing a tour of some lesser-known sites. Surely there is a natural activity or historical site that tourists haven’t caught onto yet. If you can give your travelers a taste of local life or make them feel like they’ve uncovered something special, then your tour guide business will thrive. Maybe some locals will even join in on the fun.

3. Glamping

Here’s a fun fact for you: By 2025, experts estimate the glamping market in the United States alone is projected to reach a revenue of around $1 billion. It sounds like the great outdoors is getting a little fancier. What exactly is glamping? Glamorous camping.

Glamping combines nature with the comforts of home, and usually Champagne. That’s right, after a long day of hiking or river rafting, campers can return to decked-out campsites that offer spa treatments, wine and gourmet meals. The perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. If you can create a campsite that melds the best parts of nature with resort living, you’ll be in business.

4. Remote travel agent

Long gone are the days of travel agent offices. The truth is, thanks to the internet it’s easier than ever to plan a trip. Anyone with a computer can choose between hundreds of flights, hotels and restaurant reservations. The ease of access is great, but the time it takes to weed through those options might not be available to everyone. This is where a remote travel agent comes in.

You’ll work out of your own home which saves the customer costs on overhead expenses. For a more affordable price, remote travel agents can help busy travelers plan their next vacation from anywhere in the world. Help them book the best hotels, unique activities and provide them with all of their important travel bookings and documentation.

5. Travel consultant

Even though their job titles sound similar, a travel consultant is different than a travel agent. A travel consultant usually specializes in solving complex travel issues. For example, they may specialize in helping adoptive parents travel abroad to make the task of adopting a child from a foreign country run smoothly. Or they might assist businesses with complex assignments like learning how to cater to new cultures during business deals. Travel consultants generally focus less on tourism and more on helping iron out logistical issues.

6. Travel photographer

As a travel photographer, you’ll have plenty of options for making money off your passions for travel and photography. You can sell photos taken while traveling to newspapers, magazines and websites. Or you can sell your favorite shots in your own online shop. You could license your gorgeous photos of Paris or Peru to companies that create goods like calendars or art prints. Perhaps you want to help create stock photography for big companies like Getty Images. Point being, we live in a very visual world and there are plenty of options for starting a travel photography business.

7. Create a haunted attraction

Want a surefire way to make sure your hotel or guided tour drum up enough business? The solution is easy: Make it haunted. This may seem like a business better suited for Halloween time, but people are ready to get their scare on year-round. These haunted attractions do particularly well in historic locations like towns on the east coast where there are plenty of ghost stories to go around. Do some research and then let your imagination take care of the rest. You might want to load up on business insurance just in case your haunted attraction is too scary.

8. Teach cultural classes

It’s time to share your unique culture with the world. Offer fun classes for tourists that will make them feel like locals, whether that be a Creole cooking class or an art class that captures a local style of painting. Help tourists pick up a skill that they won’t learn anywhere else, like how to make an authentic cup of Turkish coffee or bake a truly Parisian croissant.

9. House or pet sitting

Sometimes a travel business does its best work when helping travelers look after what they left behind. House or pet sitting can be a great side hustle to take on if you’re looking for a little extra cash. Of course, you could always start a larger business like a kennel that takes care of beloved pets while their owners are jet-setting around the world. Some people are even willing to pay for plant hotels that keep their plants in tiptop shape until they return from vacation. Consider a travel business that will give your customers peace of mind while they are far from home.

10. Travel blogger

You’ve traveled the world and, boy, do you have some good stories to tell. So why don’t you then? By starting a travel blog, you can make money by sharing your experiences. You can offer up travel advice, share photos from your journey and review restaurants and hotels. Once your blog picks up some steam (aka gets a decent amount of pageviews and monthly visitors) you’ll be able to make money from ads hosted on your website, sign up for affiliate programs, or create sponsored content for brands. If this sounds like your ideal business, this guide can help you start a travel blog.

11. Ecotourism

Sustainability is all the rage right now and for good reason. It makes sense that those who value exploring the world want to keep it safe. Which is why ecotourism (also known as green tourism) is such a potentially profitable idea. Essentially, ecotourism allows travelers to learn about local culture and wildlife in a low-impact way.

Generally, these types of tours or services (like hotels) try to minimize the impact of traveling while giving tourists the education and tools to help positively impact the environment and community they visit. Many travelers are even willing to spend more on hotels if they are environmentally friendly. If you can find a way to show tourists a good time while helping them make a positive impact, you’re sure to have a popular business on your hands in no time.

ZenBusiness

Start Your Dream Business

12. Home rentals

Do you have a gorgeous pool house just waiting to be turned into an oasis for weary travelers? Consider starting a home rental business. You can list any rooms in your house that are available to rent out (or even your entire house if you’re headed out of town yourself) on home rental websites like Airbnb or HomeAway. If you live in a popular area where hotels are particularly pricey, then you may be able to fetch a pretty penny by allowing customers to rent rooms in your home.

The best part is, you get to set your price. You only have to rent to people who can meet your price and who you think would be a good tenant (Hint: They need as many good reviews as you do). This can be an ideal business for bringing in extra money to help fund your next vacation. Just make sure that your town, apartment complex, or homeowners association allows you to rent out your property and that you’re following proper regulations.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

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Starting a Travel Business

If you're looking to launch a travel business, you've come to the right place. Starting a travel venture is an exciting prospect - but it's also a serious endeavor that involves careful planning and consideration. From gathering the right resources and developing your business plans, to marketing your services and launching your website, there are plenty of steps involved.

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The Challenge of Starting Your Travel Business

Starting a travel business is not an easy task. You must navigate the complexities of the industry, market yourself, and find a way to stand out from the competition. To get started, you need to understand what skills and resources are needed and how to know if you have them.

The Need for Proper Planning

It's critical that you have a sound business plan when starting your travel business. You need to identify potential customers and develop an effective marketing strategy in order to build your customer base. Additionally, you should think about your financial goals and objectives in order to determine the best way to manage your funds. Finally, having a roadmap will help guide you through the process of launching your business.

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The Benefits of Networking

Networking is one of the most important steps in starting a travel business. It's important to make connections with people who can provide you with advice, support and guidance. This could be other entrepreneurs or industry experts who can give you invaluable insight into the travel industry. Additionally, networking can also help you find potential customers and suppliers.

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Marketing Tips for Your Business

Marketing is essential for any successful travel business. You need to make sure that potential customers know about your services and products so that they can make an informed decision when booking their next trip. There are many ways to market your business including online advertising, social media, email campaigns and traditional print advertising.

Technology Advances for Travelers

The use of technology has revolutionized the travel industry in recent years. There are plenty of tools available now that can help travelers find the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals and more. Additionally, there are various apps that enable travelers to access real-time information about their destination before they arrive.

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Finding the Right Resources

When it comes to starting a travel business, it's important to find reliable resources that can provide useful information and advice on topics such as legal requirements, taxes and licensing costs. Joining professional associations dedicated to the travel industry is also a great way to stay up-to-date with current trends and best practices.

Making Your Vision Come Alive With Desygner

Once you've laid down all the groundwork for your travel business, it's time to start making your vision come alive with Desygner! This amazing platform makes it easy for anyone to create stunning visuals without any design experience required! Desygner offers premade templates that can be used for flyers, logos, posters and more.

Desygner also allows users to collaborate with each other in order to create remarkable designs quickly and efficiently - enabling businesses like yours to make a big impression on your clients without spending too much time or money!

Start Your Travel Business Today

Are you ready to take the plunge and begin your own travel business? The potential for success is massive, but there are many important steps that you must take in order to achieve success. Here's how to get started:

  • Develop a business plan. Set clear goals and objectives for your travel business. Outline strategies for attracting customers, budgeting and promotion.
  • Obtain all necessary licenses and permits. Before you can start offering services, make sure you obtain any necessary local, state, or federal permits.
  • Choose a name for your business. Make sure it's something catchy and memorable.
  • Create a website for your business. It should reflect your brand identity as well as provide information about the services you offer. Desygner makes it easy to create a website from scratch with no need for coding.
  • Market your business. Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the word out about your business.
  • Stay organized. Start using customer relationship management tools to stay organized so that you can successfully manage relationships with customers.
  • Stay up-to-date on industry news. Follow news outlets and trade publications in order to stay up-to-date on trends in the travel industry.
  • Network with other businesses in the industry. Connecting with other travel businesses will help you build relationships and establish yourself as an industry resource.

Starting a travel business is an exciting endeavor that can be very rewarding. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to getting your travel business off the ground! Ready to get started? Sign up with Desygner today!

travel your business

Marketing a Travel Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn how to create content for a travel business, including helpful tips and creative ideas. Get inspired and develop engaging content that resonates with your audience.

Creating Content for a Travel Business

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

11 travel business ideas to get you started

travel business ideas

Starting a business  in the travel industry can be a lucrative opportunity where you’ll provide travel services to individuals and groups looking to get away, celebrate a milestone or travel for work. As people increasingly prioritize experiences over material goods, demand is consistently on the rise  for travel-related services. The consistent demand makes a travel business an appealing recession-proof business idea  as well. 

11 travel business ideas to inspire you

Here are eleven travel business ideas  to help you choose the right niche.

Travel agency services

Adventure travel planning

Luxury travel planning

Cruise planning services

Business travel management

Destination wedding planning

Cultural and historical tours

Family vacation planning

Eco-friendly travel services

Solo travel planning

Group travel packages

01. Travel agency services

Provide comprehensive travel planning services, including itinerary creation, accommodation bookings and transportation arrangements. This type of service is usually on a commission basis, earning you a percentage of the total travel cost.

02. Adventure travel planning

Specialize in planning adventurous trips, such as hiking expeditions, wildlife safaris and extreme sports vacations. This niche can attract clients seeking unique and exciting travel experiences.

03. Luxury travel concierge

Offer premium travel concierge services for high-end clients, including luxury accommodation, private transportation and exclusive experiences. This niche can be lucrative but requires attention to detail and a network of luxury service providers.

04. Cruise planning services

Focus on planning cruise vacations, including cruise line selection, itinerary planning and shore excursions. Cruises are popular among various demographics, providing a broad client base.

05. Business travel management

Specialize in managing corporate travel needs, including booking flights, accommodations and coordinating business events. This type of service requires a strong understanding of business travel requirements. This can be a great scalable business idea , as you can work with multiple businesses around the world or big corporations with multiple locations.

06. Destination wedding planning

Provide destination wedding planning services, helping couples organize and execute their dream weddings in exotic locations. This niche combines travel planning with event coordination.

07. Cultural and historical tours

Design and organize tours focused on cultural and historical experiences, catering to travelers interested in learning about different cultures and exploring historical landmarks.

08. Family vacation planning

Tailor travel packages for families, including child-friendly accommodations, activities and transportation. This niche can be rewarding, catering to families looking for stress-free travel experiences.

09. Eco-friendly travel services

Differentiate your business by offering eco-friendly travel solutions, appealing to clients with a focus on sustainable and responsible travel practices.

10. Solo travel planning

Cater to solo travelers by providing customized itineraries, safety tips and group travel opportunities. Solo travel is a growing trend, and this niche can tap into a lucrative market segment.

11. Group travel packages

Create and organize group travel packages for various interests, such as culinary tours, wellness retreats or photography expeditions. This niche can attract like-minded individuals looking for shared travel experiences.

How to get started with your travel business idea

Apply your industry knowledge and experience.

Develop a deep understanding of various travel destinations, accommodations, transportation options and industry best practices, depending on the travel services you offer.

Choose your specialization or niche

Consider specializing in a specific travel niche or industry to provide tailored services. This can help you gain a professional reputation in a particular niche, attracting repeat business and new clients. Pro tip: Create a business plan  to map everything out.

Build a professional network

Establish connections with travel service providers, hotels and other industry professionals to enhance your offerings. Consider creating a website  to expand your online presence and market your travel services.

Choose a legal structure for your business

Decide on the legal structure of your business, such as a sole proprietorship , LLC  or corporation . Ensure you comply with any regulations or licensing requirements in the travel industry.

Determine your pricing strategies

Choose your pricing model, whether it's service fees, commission-based or a combination. Research local market rates and competitors to ensure your pricing is competitive and reflective of the value you provide.

Travel business examples (built on Wix) to inspire

Wanderlust adventures.

This travel agency offers a variety of adventure travel packages, including hiking, wildlife safaris and cultural experiences.

Luxe Life Ventures

A premium travel concierge service providing exclusive luxury travel experiences for discerning clients.

CruiseDreams Planning

Specializing in cruise vacation planning, CruiseDreams helps clients find the perfect cruise experience tailored to their preferences.

most popular business ideas in the US - travel business ideas

Travel business ideas FAQ

What types of travel services can i offer in my travel business.

The travel industry offers a wide range of services. You can consider offering general travel planning, adventure travel, luxury travel concierge, cruise planning, business travel management, destination wedding planning, cultural and historical tours, family vacation planning, eco-friendly travel services, solo travel planning and group travel packages.

How can I attract clients to my travel business idea?

What equipment and supplies do i need to get my travel business idea off the ground, how do i determine pricing for my travel services, how can i ensure the safety of my clients during their travels, how can i differentiate my travel business idea from competitors, how can i expand my travel business idea as it grows, other business ideas to consider.

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Pure Travel

How to Start a Travel Business in 10 Steps

  • February 16, 2022

travel your business

The travel and tourism industry is one of the industries that has a significant impact on the global economy. And even though the pandemic has been harsh , starting a business in this sector can still be a good idea, if done correctly. 

Plus, with new trends emerging due to the pandemic, and as things start going back to normal, travel and tourism are slowly recovering. And while starting any business entails risks, if you’re willing to commit time and effort, starting your own travel business could be the best idea you’ve ever had.

1. Invent Your Brand 

Working on your idea is the first step when starting any business. This will help you invent your brand, with all of its elements. Decide what kind of travel business you want to run, choose a name, create a logo and a slogan. Make sure that they are powerful, so that once your brand is out there it will be easily recognizable. 

2. Work on Your Business Plan

Many decisions and tasks go into creating a business, and from the moment you decide that you are going for it, you should start working on a business plan. This is a dynamic document that describes the business in great detail. It contains an overview of the business, a market analysis, customer analysis, operational plan, marketing plan, financial plan. 

Your travel agency business plan will help you execute every task and strategy more efficiently, make better decisions, and avoid mistakes during the first phases of your project. More than that, once you start working it will help you run your business successfully, and eventually, grow.

3. Choose a Specific Niche

For new travel businesses, it’s a good idea to start with one specific market niche. Instead of offering many services, focus on something specific and excel at it. This means that you won’t have to compete with too many experienced travel agencies and, most importantly, you will be able to provide complete and high-quality service. 

4. Formalize Your Company

To start working you will have to fulfill a series of legal requirements to formalize your company, including registering your company and getting any necessary permits and licenses. The rules and regulations can vary depending on the adventures you want to offer, as well as the region you live in.  

5. Identify Your Potential Clients

Whenever you are communicating something, or in this case trying to sell something, you must know who is interested. Identifying who might be interested in the services or products you are selling, will help you create so-called buyer personas . This, in turn, will help you determine the best ways to reach your target audience, or in other words, develop a winning marketing strategy. Also, it may help you find additional small ways in which you can increase your profit. 

6. Develop an Efficient Financial Plan

Aside from the funds you need for the initial investment, you need to make sure that you are ready to cover any expenses you may have in the first months. Some of the expenses you need to consider include registration fees, tax payments, renting an office, buying furniture, technology, hiring a marketing agency, creating a website, insurance, salaries, taxes, etc. 

7. Find Knowledgeable Employees

Efficient and productive employees are the most important part of any successful business. Make sure that the people you hire are experienced and knowledgeable so that you can rely on them for the tasks you assign to them. Also, once you are sure you have the right people, make sure to do anything in your power to retain them. 

8. Create a Website

It’s almost impossible to run a business without a website today, and most travel agencies operate entirely or at least partially online. People buy everything online these days, and travelers can find anything they are looking for on their devices. To offer a good user experience, and keep visitors interested, your website should be fast, easy to navigate, it should look well and it should be mobile-friendly.

9. Use Social Media

Social media is a great place for reaching your target audience. With a combination of paid ads and valuable content, it can be the ideal channel for promoting your brand and increasing visibility.

10. Offer Interesting Content

Even people who can’t afford to travel want to read about new places. Travel is addictive, and most who have traveled will do it again. This is why offering good content can be so effective when it comes to promoting such businesses. 

Starting a travel business is risky but, if done right, it can be very profitable. These steps can help you make sure that you aren’t missing something important and that you make the right decisions for a strong start. 

Related Topics

  • hospitality careers
  • setting up a travel business
  • travel business
  • travel careers
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How to Become a Travel Agent—Because, Believe It or Not, the Industry Is on the Rise

By Scott Bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What exactly does a travel agent do?

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

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

So, how do you become a travel agent?

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

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

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

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

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

Is there required education or qualifications?

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

How much does a travel agent make?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Should travel advisors choose a specialization?

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

What are the benefits of being a travel agent?

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

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

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7 Revenue-Boosting Strategies for Your Travel Business

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Briana Morgaine

8 min. read

Updated February 26, 2024

Not only is the travel industry one of the largest in the world, but it encompasses a wide variety of business types and customer needs.

This makes the travel industry easy to break into, as there are plenty of niches to fill, but difficult to stand out in, as large players (think major airlines, hotel chains, and services like Uber and Lyft) dominate the market.

To help your travel business stand out and bring in more revenue, here are seven research-driven, data-backed strategies you can implement today—or plan for once you’ve got your business up and running.

  • 1. Ask for referrals

Customer referral programs can be an effective way to increase revenue for your travel agency, if implemented correctly.

In an effort to suss out the actual statistical effectiveness of referral programs, Referral Saasquatch did a roundup of customer referral program statistics, and found that 65 percent of new business comes from referrals, and 92 percent of respondents trusted referrals from people they knew.

Sami Belbase, President of Encore Jets, listed asking for referrals as number one in his list of most effective strategies for improving revenue. When it comes to why he advocates for a referral program, Sami is succinct: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

Now, the process of asking for referrals can be a bit tricky—in fact, Hubspot found that the discomfort employees often feel when asking for referrals was why many referral programs fail. To combat this, they compiled some useful tips and referral templates to help with the process, which can be implemented by your sales team.

  • 2. Establish a strong social media presence

If your travel business isn’t using social media to its advantage, it’s a good idea to pick and commit to a few social profiles at the very least.

While each business will have a slightly different user base with different social media habits, there’s a good likelihood that your customers use social media for travel purposes. A report by Deloitte found that over a third of people use online booking for their vacations, and the same report indicated that most travelers will discuss their trip on social media sites as soon as the day they return.

Sami Belbase recommends a “multi-channel strategy” when it comes to social media, and attests that a well-executed social media strategy has been one of the most effective tactics for boosting revenue for his business, Encore Jets. “Each platform is slightly different and built for a different purpose,” he says. “Harness the benefits of each and compose a multi-channel strategy while keeping an integrated campaign in mind.”

  • 3. Motivate your team members (especially your sales team) with great incentives

When it comes to increasing revenue for your travel business, your sales team is on the front line.

So, how do you encourage your sales team to work as hard as they can to bring in the most clients and book the most trips possible?

“The biggest boost in sales has been through the motivation of our sales employees through personal incentives,” says Emmelie De La Cruz, Digital Marketing Manager for Shofur. “Our top sales rep is going to be awarded an all-expense paid trip to the NBA finals if he meets his sales goals this month.”

The data backs up the success of sales incentive programs: Blackhawk Engagement Solutions found that when structured properly, sales incentive programs can increase employee performance by up to 44 percent. Not only that, they found that annual revenue increase was three times higher among companies that use tangible sales incentives!

“This kind of personalized approach to employee incentives is a much better motivator that commission, and helps to build team morale,” says Emmelie. “When our team is happy and excited about the work that they do, it translates into better interactions with our customers and thus, more sales.”

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  • 4. Encourage your customers to leave reviews

We all know online reviews are of huge importance —how many times have you looked up a restaurant, only to be put off by negative reviews on Yelp?

The importance of good online reviews doesn’t just end with dining, however. “Real customer reviews are the answer to more business,” says Natasha Malinsky, Shopping and Lifestyle Consolidator for ShopNYC Tours. “TripAdvisor is golden, and customers treat it like a travel bible.”

But just how important are online reviews for increasing revenue? Studies suggest that when it comes to buying decisions, 90 percent of consumers are influenced by reviews, and 87 percent of potential customers will not consider a business with a low rating on review sites.

All that being said, how do you get your customers to leave you reviews?

Simple— just ask.

  • 5. Establish a personal connection with your customers

While revenue-boosting strategies tend to focus on bringing in new customers, don’t forget the importance of returning users.

Returning customers should be getting plenty of your attention: The likelihood that you’ll be able to sell again to an existing customer is 60 to 70 percent, while selling to a new customer is only five to 20 percent.

So, knowing this, how can your travel business make sure that you build a solid connection with your existing customers, to keep them coming back? Simon Harding from Theatre Breaks recommends reaching out personally.

“We contact those who have just booked, to make sure the booking process is okay, and we contact those who have just come back to make sure they had a good time,” he explains.

“It is really personal. We try to keep our own customers so that we establish a relationship with them,” says Simon. “Okay, it is a bit of extra work, but life in a travel agency has its ups and downs and we are finding it saves time because, by keeping up the communication, we know what the client wants to do next, earlier. So, no last minute rushes, and more chance of finding a deal.”

For Simon and Theater Breaks, reaching out to customers personally also has had the added benefit of increasing customer reviews and word of mouth, which has benefitted business. “While we are talking, we do now ask for official reviews,” he says. “We now have the opportunity to find out where customers are most likely to leave a review and help them to do so.”

  • 6. Go where your customers are

While social media and other online marketing is certainly effective, there is something to be said for getting down in the trenches and actually going where your customers spend time.

David Feldsott, founder, and CEO of PanTrek, recommends just that. “We went out to find our potential customers, in the real world,” he says.

“Since we are an online travel agency that sells inter-city bus tickets, our target consumers are typically millennials (students, tourists, young professionals, and backpackers),” says David. “So, we went to hostels and hotels and told the staff about our website to make their job fielding questions easier, went to local universities and advertised to the students, posted on travel forums where tourists seek answers to common questions about bus travel, etc.”

PanTrek saw a marked improvement in their business as a result of actually speaking to their potential customers. “People checked out our product, fell in love with it, and our business took off via word-of-mouth,” says David. “We brought in new customers who didn’t know our service even existed and they spread it to other travelers they met along the road.”

This isn’t just one business’s success talking—word-of-mouth marketing is extremely powerful, with an estimated 500,000 conversations generated from every 1,000 customers. Not only that, but 92 percent of customers trust word-of-mouth recommendations over advertising.

  • 7. Establish strategic partnerships

A strategic partnership involves your business coupling up with another business for an arrangement that benefits you both.

In the context of the travel business, this could look like an agency partnering with a hostel at their destination, where travelers get a discounted rate on a room.

Partnerships can be incredibly effective when it comes to boosting revenue. Just look at this case study from Kissmetrics, which details how one business’s partner network was responsible for a 1,983 percent increase in revenue!

Sami Belbase has had huge success with the partnerships he has established for Encore Jets. “The strongest way to partner with another company is leading in with the interest for a client,” he explains.

“[For example], when my client has a need to book at a high end property in, let’s say, St. Tropez, I will call a couple real estate firms, speak directly with someone in upper management, and discuss my client’s interest in their property. Immediately, a level of trust, and mutual interest will be stimulated between my agency and the real estate agency. Almost always they will propose a partnership moving forward as they have clients that need my service.”

  • Ready to get started?

Maybe you’re still in the planning stages, and not quite ready to implement these strategies yet. If that’s the case, you’re in luck—we’ve done a lot of the legwork for you.

First, check out my other article, How to Start a Travel Agency. It’s filled with advice from entrepreneurs who have started successful travel businesses, and it covers the basics you’ll need to get started.

Second, make sure you check out Bplans  free travel and tourism sample business plans, which will give you a framework for how to structure your own business plan, and maybe some inspiration, too.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Content Author: Briana Morgaine

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40 Travel and Hospitality Business Ideas

From providing lodging to leading guided tours, the opportunities for success in the travel and hospitality industry are numerous. Your potential tourism business can take many different forms as the commodities of traveling are multifaceted and broad.

Whatever your motivation for wanting to begin your entrepreneurial journey T ravel business ideas and Hospitality business ideas are a great place to start!

A guest checking in with a hotel employee.

Best Travel and Hospitality Business Ideas for 2020

1. airbnb business.

Air B N B Business image

An Airbnb business supplies guests with a place to stay within a person’s home. Many travelers are looking for lodging which is a little more personal and unique. Airbnb rentals offer a home feel, versus that of a hotel or motel. Guests may stay as short as one or two days or extended stays up to two weeks.

An Airbnb is a great way to add some extra income, especially if you have unused rooms or lots of space in your house. You will have guests staying in your home, so you should be comfortable talking and interacting with guests. Some homeowners, who travel often, will also rent out their homes when they are out of town. This allows them to receive income and have someone watching their home when they’re not around.

Learn how to start an Airbnb business .

2. AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUSINESS

Airport Shuttle Business image

Airport shuttles transport people between the airport and either their homes, hotels, or where they parked their cars. Airport shuttles are used by business travelers, groups, families, and solo riders. The driver picks travelers up at a predetermined location and drops them off wherever necessary; typically with no more than two stops on each route. Vehicles are generally spacious, with ample room for riders to store their luggage.

Individuals possessing the drive to start their own travel business and the inclination to interact with people would be best suited for this business endeavor. Since much time is spent on the road, the entrepreneur that enjoys driving would be the ideal candidate.

Learn how to start an airport shuttle business .

3. AMUSEMENT PARK

Amusement Park image

Amusement, or theme, parks feature rides, games, and entertainment options in an outdoor or indoor venue. Customers typically pay a single entry fee for access to the entire park. The successful amusement park model focuses on the customer's entire experience, offering a wide range of services and entertainment options including parking, trams, restaurant options, water parks, roller coasters, live animal attractions, stage shows, arcade games, attractive interactive landscaping, and family-friendly fun. The larger the property you own, the more entertainment choices you are able to offer your customers.

You must be a highly motivated individual ready to sink a large initial investment into the concept, design, and implementation of your amusement park. You may need extensive knowledge in the operation of rides, restaurant and guest services, landscaping design, business practices, and have significant leadership skills.

Learn how to start an amusement park .

4. BED AND BREAKFAST

Bed and Breakfast Image

A bed and breakfast business offers travelers an alternative to hotels and motels, by combining sleeping quarters with a full breakfast. Most bed and breakfasts also promise more unique, intimate settings than other lodging options.

Anyone who enjoys hosting others may be well-suited for owning a bed and breakfast business because guests come to B&Bs for a level of hospitality that hotels and motels don’t provide. Business owners should like talking with people, cooking meals, and making guests feel comfortable.

Learn how to start a bed and breakfast .

5. BIKE RENTAL BUSINESS

Bike Rental Business image

Bike rental businesses give customers—who are often, but not necessarily, tourists—bicycles for a short period. Bikes are generally rented for a few hours to recreationally explore the locality. But the customer base might also consist of college students on campus or others who rent for practical reasons. Your business might be a freestanding shop, part of a bike sales and service operation or associated with a hotel or other hospitality business.

Bike rental business owners should be mechanically adept since customers can be hard on bikes. Also, since bikes are often rented to explore the immediate area, you should be highly familiar with your home base and able to suggest tourist attractions. You should have an engaging personality and be motivated to deliver exceptional customer service.

Learn how to start a bike rental business .

6. BIKE TOUR COMPANY

Bike Tour Company image

Do you love exploring your home town or popular tourist destinations on your bike? Does it really make your day when you bring a friend along to see the sights? Operating a bike tour company may be right up your alley. Whether you are simply renting bicycles and maps for patrons to use on their own or providing week-long personalized guided tours that include meals and lodging, this can be a rewarding travel business.

If you are going to run a one-man show, you will need to be physically fit, have fantastic people skills, and enjoy managing the many facets of your business. If you are operating a large tourist attraction, the right owner will have a good background in business management with a focus on the service industry.

Learn how to start a bike tour company .

7. BOUTIQUE TOUR BUSINESS

Boutique Tour Business image

This travel business idea differs from a traditional tour guide service in that the focus is not on the popular tourist destinations. Instead, it focuses more on unique and special experiences. Both local residents and tourists enjoy these types of tours/parties.

People like to do things that feel more authentic and consistent with what locals do versus just taking a sightseeing tour to see the major attractions. These can be very active experiences such as hiking, climbing, bungee-jumping, flying down a wire cable over the tree canopy, whitewater rafting and so much more. Many prefer such active experiences when compared to the traditional bus tours where tour guides describe things as the bus passes them by.

Learn how to start a boutique tour business .

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the  Top LLC Formation Services And, use our free tools to help start your business: Use our  Business Name Generator  for help brainstorming your new venture’s name Learn  how to form an LLC , one of the  best business structures  for travel businesses Use our free  business plan generator  to start planning your business today Get your unique logo with our free  Logo Maker  and start branding your business After finding your perfect idea learn how to  start a business

8. BUS TOUR BUSINESS

Bus Tour Business image

A bus tour business provides tours for tourists as well as locals. Tours of scenic and historical areas and other sites of interest are a valuable community service. Bus tours connect people with others for a shared experience. They also educate people about historical landmarks, local history, geography and other important aspects of your city and the surrounding area.

If you are looking to give people the opportunity to learn more about a locale while enjoying the company of others, a bus tour business is right for you. This is your chance to bring people closer together. Bus tours also enhance understanding and respect for cities, towns, landmarks and special sites. Bus tour customers gain a new appreciation for the area in which the tour is conducted.

Learn how to start a bus tour business .

9. CAMPGROUND

Campground image

If you love the outdoors and some hard work, you could start a campground business. Whether you have land or are purchasing land, you could start enjoying the great outdoors and working for yourself as soon as you get everything set up. You'll provide a place for people who are passing through on their way to another destination and for those who want to enjoy some time connecting with nature. Campers use all sorts of shelters from tents to fully contained RVs.

Before you start a campground business, you'll need the knowledge and willingness it takes to do many things, including accounting, repairs, road maintenance, plumbing, electrical maintenance, and management. You may be able to farm some of these things out, but it is much more cost-effective to do these things yourself.

Learn how to start a campground .

10. CANOE & KAYAK RENTAL BUSINESS

Canoe and Kayak Rental Business image

Many people enjoy being on the water, but they either do not own a boat or want to go boating where they can't bring theirs. A canoe and kayak rental business lets people rent canoes and kayaks to take out on nearby waterways. Customers can take canoes out for as little as an hour or as long as a day or more.

Anyone who enjoys canoeing and kayaking may be well-suited to open a canoe and kayak rental business. Business owners also must be strong enough to move canoes and kayaks onshore.

Learn how to start a canoe & kayak rental business .

Find a Web Domain For Your Travel and Hospitality Business

Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of a travel and hospitality business.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by godaddy.com, 11. car rental business.

Car Rental Business image

Another one of many travel business ideas is a car rental company. A car rental business rents vehicles at affordable daily and weekly prices. All sorts of different parties are interested in car rentals. Common customers include business and leisure travelers, those whose vehicles are out of commission and businesses.

This business is ideal for someone who has a sincere interest in automobiles, automobile maintenance, and the driving experience.

Learn how to start a car rental business .

12. CORPORATE RETREAT CENTER

Corporate Retreat Center image

Many companies take employees on retreats for training, development, and team-building experiences. Corporate retreat center businesses offer a place for holding these company-sponsored retreats and frequently help companies plan their retreats.

Anyone who is organized and has strong interpersonal skills may enjoy running a corporate retreat center business. Hosting retreats requires balancing many different tasks, and there’s a constant conversation between the retreat center and the company sponsoring the retreat.

Learn how to start a corporate retreat center .

13. CRUISE LINE

Cruise Line image

A cruise line has one or several large boats designed to accommodate numerous fun-seeking individuals. This business is centered on providing guests with a good time. Cruise liners are a place for relaxation, socialization, and romance. Cruises are in-demand as they provide people with a fun and relaxing means of vacationing. Cruise lines offer all sorts of social activities on and off the ship. This business is a fantastic way to bring people closer to one another, bolster social ties, and provide people with a sense of belonging.

This is the ideal business or someone who is looking for a way to bring people together for a fun, rewarding and memorable experience. If you are a hospitable individual and enjoy providing people with a good time, you should consider starting a cruise line business. Furthermore, if you enjoy life on the water, good food and entertainment, a cruise ship business is worth considering.

Learn how to start a cruise line .

14. DAY SPA

Day Spa image

Day spas provide a relaxing atmosphere and a variety of treatments designed to refresh and rejuvenate. Some of the most common services offered by smaller day spas are facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, waxing, electrolysis, and aromatherapy. Larger day spas with more complex facilities are able to offer additional options such as body wraps, mud baths, or hydrotherapy treatments.

This hospitality business is ideal for those who enjoy relating with people on a personal level to provide services that reduce stress, enhance beauty, and improve health.

Learn how to start a day spa .

15. ECOTOUR BUSINESS

Ecotour Business image

Ecotourism is small scale, low impact tourism that offers travelers an opportunity to learn about the local flora, fauna, and culture. Unlike your standard tour guide service, the focus of ecotourism is to educate guests on how they can positively impact the environment and community they’re visiting. Tourists are able to immerse themselves in the culture and habitat, gaining an understanding of the positive impact each can have on the other. Ecological sustainability and responsibility are the heart of this educating and rewarding experience.

As many consumers ponder the environmental impact humans have had on our environment, there are many who have taken it upon themselves to get out and do something about it. They’ve made it their life’s mission to make positive strides, educating others along the way. Entrepreneurs who have made this their lives’ work and who truly enjoy igniting this passion in others would be best suited for this travel business venture.

Learn how to start an ecotour business .

16. FISHING CHARTER BUSINESS

Fishing Charter Business image

Many people enjoy fishing, but few people have boats, tackle, and knowledge to go fishing far from shore. Fishing charter businesses take people on fishing trips that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience. These trips may range from going into swamps to venturing far offshore. Customers are usually allowed to keep any fish that they catch (assuming the fish are legal to keep).

Anyone who is passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing that passion with other people may be well-suited for running a fishing charter business. Customers expect fishing charter captains to be knowledgeable about and have a love for fishing, and sharing that knowledge and love helps ensure customers have a great time.

Learn how to start a fishing charter business .

17. GLAMPING BUSINESS

Glamping Business image

A glamping business is next on our comprehensive list of travel startup ideas. Glamping, or "glamorous camping," has taken England by storm and is quickly becoming popular within the United States. Although there aren’t any official statistics for glamping in the U.S., industry insiders have seen a big increase in demand recently. For entrepreneurs, this demand represents an exciting opportunity.

People who enjoy connecting with others and being outdoors may enjoy running a glamping business. Interpersonal skills are necessary because much of the business involves making guests feel welcome. A passion for the outdoors is helpful, for glamping is largely about connecting with nature.

Learn how to start a glamping business .

18. GOLF COURSE

Golf Course image

Golf courses provide these people with a place to play the sport. Most courses are 9 or 18 holes, and they may have other amenities, such as clubhouses and pro shops. Anyone who is well-versed in a variety of aspects of business and enjoys golfing themselves may be qualified to run a golf course.

It’s important to have a broad business background because golf courses are multi-faceted businesses. Running one might include course maintenance, employee management, restaurant service, event hosting, and investment opportunities.

Learn how to start a golf course .

19. HAUNTED ATTRACTION

Haunted House Business image

A haunted thrill park is any space designed to entice customers by offering a scary or thrilling experience. Americans spend about $7 billion on Halloween, and $300 million on haunted houses. Haunted thrill parks may be located in makeshift, temporary houses, corn mazes, or even old prisons or asylums. Typically, workers will dress up in costumes and pop out at customers to give them a fright. Props such as fake chainsaws or straight jackets are often used alongside fog machines and soundtracks of creepy noises.

There is an art to scaring people while keeping them safe, so an entrepreneur will have to coordinate the right scenes while ensuring workers understand how to handle the guests. Those who already have a love of haunted houses likely understand what's currently out there, and what people would like to see in the future.

Learn how to start a haunted attraction .

20. HELICOPTER TOUR BUSINESS

Helicopter Tour Business image

A helicopter tour business takes customers on short flights so they can view their city from a bird's-eye view. This is typically marketed as a more expensive service for a more adventurous clientele, and it adds a touch of excitement to any community.

This business is ideal for those already licensed to fly a helicopter, as there is a significant investment of time and money required to acquire a license. As such, it typically makes a good business for retired military personnel. Aside from a knowledge of helicopters, one of the best qualities for this business is to be a “people person,” as you must be able to charm customers before, during, and after the flight.

Learn how to start a helicopter tour business .

Start a Travel and Hospitality Business In Your State

21. hotel business.

Hotel Business image

A hotel can be any commercial building that charges money to travelers who need a room to stay. This can be anything from a standard multi-unit building to luxury stand-alone villas. As airline prices drop and the economy improves, corporate and personal travel continues to increase. The hotel industry generated just under $200 billion in revenue in 2016.

This startup idea is good for someone who enjoys the hospitality business. Those who run hotels have to be adept at catering to a number of different needs, so an owner will need to be flexible when it comes to how they respond to different travelers and consistent when it comes to delivering unparalleled customer service. From business travelers to young families, each guest will have their own priorities when it comes to where they stay.

Learn how to start a hotel business .

22. HOUSE-SITTING BUSINESS

House-Sitting Business image

House sitting is a service offered to customers who are out of town or otherwise away from the home. House sitters may look after pets, plants, or just the home itself. House sitters help the community in a number of ways. They can ward off criminals by simply being in the house, and they keep cats and dogs from having to be put into kennels.

This business is good for those who want to maintain people’s homes while they’re away. Ideally, house sitters should be animal lovers who know how to take care of a variety of different types of dogs and cats.

Learn how to start a house-sitting business .

23. KENNEL BUSINESS

Kennel Business image

Many dog owners, for a variety of reasons, don’t bring their dogs with them on trips. A kennel business gives dog owners a safe place to leave their dogs while they’re away. At a kennel, dogs have a safe place to rest, are fed and get exercise.

Anyone who loves dogs may be well-suited for owning a kennel business, as most of the work involves taking care of dogs. Owners often have to play with dogs, and they sometimes need to physically move stubborn pooches. Therefore, owners should be in decent physical condition.

Learn how to start a kennel business .

Marina Business image

Boat owners need a place to keep their boats, both during the boating season and the off-season. While some boats can be kept on a trailer and launched, other vessels cannot -- and even boaters who have trailerable vessels often don’t want to have to launch and take out their boat every time they go out on the water.

A marina business offers boaters a place to keep their boats, docking or mooring them in the water during the boating season, and storing them on land for the rest of the year.

Learn how to start a marina .

25. PARTY BUS BUSINESS

Party Bus Business image

One more of several popular travel business ideas is a party bus business. A party bus business will transport people for major events, so they don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting from place to place. While people on the bus are generally invited to consume alcohol (if they're of age), party buses don’t necessarily have to offer adult beverages as a part of their business model.

This business is excellent for someone who understands both the large and small aspects of major events. Clients want to be able to relax and feel as though they're taken care of, so they need someone who is confident in making decisions quickly and being able to think on the fly in the face of potential hiccups or even outright emergencies.

Learn how to start a party bus business .

26. PET-SITTING BUSINESS

Pet-Sitting Business image

Pet sitting businesses offer pet owners a variety of animal care services, including exercising their pets while they are at work. They also provide an affordable alternative to boarding pets at a kennel during vacations or business trips. Being able to remain in their own home environment can reduce separation anxiety for both pets and their owners.

This is a great business idea for animal lovers who enjoy walking and staying active. It’s ideal for people who prefer lower stress levels, since spending time with pets has been shown to reduce stress. Those who are compassionate and responsible, yet prefer to work alone and be their own bosses as well as make their own schedules thrive in this type of business.

Learn how to start a pet-sitting business .

27. SCOOTER RENTAL BUSINESS

Scooter Rental Business image

A scooter rental business offers customers a fun and affordable option for short-term transportation. For most, scooters can be rented with hourly, half-day, and whole day rates.

If you have experience in retail sales or product rentals, knowledge of small engines, a strong work ethic, and a business mind, a scooter rental business could be your ticket to financial independence. Especially if you have a background in scooters and motorcycles—either as a rider, enthusiast, or from working in a motorbike retail business—your expertise could set you apart from the competition.

Learn how to start a scooter rental business .

28. SCUBA DIVING BUSINESS

Scuba Diving Business image

Scuba diving affords an unparalleled experience with the underwater world. However, safe diving requires training, equipment, and often a guide. Scuba diving businesses provide divers with the training, equipment, and local knowledge they need to have a fun and safe time underwater.

While scuba diving businesses can generate sizable profits, most business owners don’t get into this type of work solely for the financial return on investment. Instead, they’re passionate scuba divers themselves and are drawn to the scuba lifestyle. They like the idea of making money doing a sport they love.

Learn how to start a scuba diving business .

29. SKI RESORT

Ski Resort image

Ski resorts are one of the main places people go for wintertime fun. Resorts offer skiing, snowboarding, equipment rentals and lessons. Many resorts also have concessions, a restaurant, a bar, and other amenities.

Someone with a diverse skillset and background in business may be well-suited for running a ski resort business. The multi-faceted nature of ski resorts requires knowledge of multiple aspects of running a business. For instance, running a ski resort business might include equipment maintenance, snowmaking decisions, concession management, and program creation.

Learn how to start a ski resort .

30. SKYDIVING BUSINESS

Skydiving Business image

Customers of skydiving businesses receive access to the complete experience, either in tandem with an experienced jumper or solo. The entertainment package includes the airplane ride, all equipment, landing site—also known as the dropzone or DZ—and the leadership/coaching of a jumpmaster. Other products or services might also be offered through the business, from parachute training before the jump to photography or video production of the jump.

Most people who would consider starting such a business are experienced jumpers, but that’s not mandatory. You should, at a minimum, feel comfortable convincing partners or investors and officials of the wisdom of your plans and your skydiving business’ value to the community.

Learn how to start a skydiving business .

31. SNORKELING BUSINESS

Snorkeling Business image

A snorkeling business will typically sell or rent out various safety gear and snorkeling equipment to water-lovers of all ages. These travel businesses can also offer tours to their customers in addition to or instead of a physical store location.

Owners should ideally have an inherent love of the water, so they can introduce their passion for exploration to new generations of snorkelers. They should also enjoy working with people who may not know very much about how to use the equipment.

Learn how to start a snorkeling business .

32. SOUVENIR SHOP

Souvenir Shop image

As the owner of a souvenir shop, you’ll stock your retail store, cart or kiosk with an inventory of interest to tourists. Your offerings will reflect the demographics and socioeconomic strata of the market. For instance, if you’re at a vacation destination that draws young families, you might stock novelty trinkets, toys, t-shirts, candy, and gum. However, if you’ll attract more sophisticated travelers, you might sell pricier jewelry with a local slant -- ie, designed with stones or gems found in the region.

You can succeed if you know your market. You must be able to match the inventory with the needs of vacationers and at an affordable price point.

Learn how to start a souvenir shop .

33. SUMMER CAMP

Summer Camp Business

Successful summer camp business owners respond to the needs of their customers and communities by developing curriculum and activities that focus on their specific interests, goals, and objectives. Traditional summer camps offer outdoor activities such as hiking, building campfires, and canoeing. Sleep-away camps offer food and lodging as well as trained supervision during physical and educational activities. Day camps do not include lodging and offer more specialized learning activities such as computer science, performing arts and music. Today, there are summer camp programs available for nearly every imaginable purpose, interest and need.

This business is a good choice for people who love teaching but prefer a beautiful natural setting to a formal classroom. High-energy individuals thrive on the combination of physical and mental activity this type of business provides. Creative people welcome the challenge of providing fun, interesting, and engaging songs, games, and educational activities for campers. Those who enjoy working with and enriching the lives of children and families experience a high level of job satisfaction within this industry.

Learn how to start a summer camp .

34. SURFING SCHOOL

Surfing School image

Running a surf school and teaching surfing classes is a lifestyle with a dedication to the ocean water. It has the requirement to live on the coast of a country. The best places in America are the west coast of California and the islands of Hawaii. You may also find some decent surfing in other parts of the world such as Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and even in exotic places like Fiji and the beach areas of Sanya, China. No matter where you decide is best, you need to love the ocean water, work in a nice surfing spot, and want to teach people how to surf.

Surfers are people who enjoy the surfing lifestyle. Every day is a day at the beach when the waves are good. Surfers who want to teach others are even more special because they need to have patience when being an instructor for first-time learners. The best surfers enjoy daily surfing and catching good waves for them is a spiritual experience.

Learn how to start a surfing school .

35. TOUR COMPANY

Tour Company image

Tour guide services are most often offered in cities large, world-famous cities and cities that have rich historical backgrounds. Guests can be taken on a tour by foot or by vehicle, depending upon the distance that will be covered during the tour.

The self-motivator with a thirst for knowledge who enjoys sharing what they’ve learned with others would do best owning a tour guide business.

Learn how to start a tour company .

Learn more about starting a business by visting the  U.S. Small Business Administration .

36. TRAVEL AGENCY

Travel Agency image

Most travel agencies earn revenue through commissions. Consumers often choose agencies because they help cut down on time needed to research various locations and book accommodations. A popular trend in the industry is online agencies, which operate mostly or exclusively online.

This business idea is perfect for individuals who are passionate about travel, love learning about and visiting new places, and are very detail-oriented. Travel agency owners have very flexible hours but usually only after they have an established book of clients.

Learn how to start a travel agency .

37. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS

Travel Photography Business image

A travel photographer uses their camera to provide high-quality images to a variety of clients that may include websites, travel blogs, print magazines, television ads, and framed prints for sale. You will need to travel extensively to a variety of locations to deliver the landscapes, hotel rooms, and recreational shots that your clients are looking for. You'll work hard to develop a variety of clients who work with you to determine where your next shoot should be while your self-promotion and marketing will reach out to new clients.

A successful travel photographer will have extensive knowledge of how to use their camera to get the highest definition images containing dramatic landscapes. They will need to enjoy living on the road, hiking, and exploring distant locales to get the perfect shot. They should be sociable and able to toot their own horn in order to develop new clients and customers.

Learn how to start a travel photography business .

38. WALKING TOUR BUSINESS

Walking Tour Business image

Next on our list of travel business ideas is a walking tour business. Tourists are constantly in search of hidden gems and insider knowledge about their destination, which is what walking tour businesses provide. These travel businesses take tourists on guided explorations of an area, during which time tourists see both famous locations and lesser-known attractions while getting lots of local knowledge.

Most walking tours explore the area through a particular interest, and there are tours for all kinds of interests. For example, in New York City there are walking tour businesses that offer guided explorations of the city’s haunted locations, architecture and street art.

Learn how to start a walking tour business .

39. WATERPARK

Waterpark image

Amusement parks are a popular vacation destination for families all over the world. Few things are more exhilarating than experiencing the rides, laughing and screaming as you make your way to the bottom. Couple that with water, and you have a family-friendly adventure for individuals of all ages.

Entrepreneurs with previous small business ownership or management would be best suited for this business venture. Innovators who enjoy a fast-paced atmosphere and are dedicated to reinvesting a portion of their profits can turn a small waterpark into a million-dollar enterprise in a matter of years.

Learn how to start a waterpark .

40. WINE TOUR BUSINESS

Wine Tour Business image

Wine tours educate people about grapes, fermentation, and flavor profiles. From varietals to harvesting techniques to the best way to taste the wine, tours are meant to be as informative as they are fun. These tours can help people appreciate all that goes into a single sip, and promote local businesses by exposing their product to more people.

This travel business is good for someone who already has a healthy interest in how vineyards work, and who enjoys teaching people in an entertaining way. Ideally, it should be far less about enjoying a good bottle of wine, and far more about being a good (and organized) educator.

Learn how to start a wine tour business .

Start a Travel and Hospitality Business in Your State

  • Connecticut
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  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Washington D.C.
  • West Virginia

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Home Business Ideas

There are a variety of businesses you can run out of your home, and because of the minimal overhead expenses, most of them can be started fairly cheaply. In this article, we outline our top 40 home business ideas for the modern entrepreneur.

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Online Business Ideas

Whether you’re looking to build an online empire or earn a little money on the side, one of the best things about owning an online business is having the ability to work as much or as little as you want -- from whatever location you prefer.

travel your business

Low-Cost Business Ideas

In this article, we outline our top 40 business ideas with low startup costs to help you find a low-cost business idea that aligns with your interests and goals.

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Side-Hustle Business Ideas

If you’re looking to scratch the entrepreneurial itch without giving up your day job, you’re probably on the hunt for a side-hustle that aligns with your personal interests and your schedule. These 40 side-hustles satisfy a range of interests and can easily turn into full-time careers.

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How to Start a Business

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How to Choose a Business Structure

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What is an LLC?

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Free Online Business Plan Generator

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How to start a Tour Operator business in 2024: A step-by-step guide

By Brieanne Biblow

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There are so many benefits of being a tour operator , but taking the first step to start your own tour company? That can feel daunting. Like any start-up business, there are lots of pieces that need to come together before you welcome your first customers. With countless resources out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’ve asked yourself “How do I start an online tour operator business?” We’re here to give you more than just a few tips on starting a travel and tour company. Dive into our practical step-by-step guide on how to start your own tour company.

How to start a Tour Operator business in 2024

1. choose a business niche, 2. register your tour company, 3. design your tour, 4. build relationships  , 5. market your tour, 6. launch your tour, choose a business niche.

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Find your passion

The first step to becoming a tour operator is to know what you’re passionate about. If you survey a handful of happy tour guests, do you know the number one thing they’ll say makes a difference between a good tour and a tour they’ll recommend to all their friends? A passionate tour guide.

Your passion for cooking could translate into delicious food tours, or your love of the outdoors could turn into hiking tours, even a passion for all things spooky could transform into starting a ghost tour business. So, take some time to find your passion that you can’t wait to share with others every day.

Evaluate your city

Once you have your passion in mind, it’s time to take a look at your city. Is it a popular tourist destination? Is there anything that’s not being explored? While passion is key, it’s equally important to identify if there’s an opportunity. Passion without opportunity is just a hobby. Check in with your local tourism board to see if they have any market research reports that outline the opportunities and challenges in the industry.

Dig into travel and tourism trends

The travel and tourism industry, like any industry, can see larger trends in pop culture trickle down and open up entirely new business opportunities. Your potential customers are being influenced by trends, so why not do some research, incorporate ones that feel like a fit for you, and watch more bookings roll in.

Some 2024 tourism trends that will be influencing travelers:

  • Multi-generational tours : Post-retirement boomers will be looking to travel with their entire families. So creating a tour offering that has something for the whole family could be a great idea.
  • Cultural connection : More and more, savvy travelers are always looking for something truly authentic to the destination they’ve traveled to. That doesn’t mean you have to be the authentic expert. Instead, think about exploring opportunities to partner with other start-up businesses in your community that could add this element to your tour offering.
  • From screens to reality: Keeping a pulse on popular TV shows and movies can be a great way to come up with unique tour ideas that can target new customers for your business.

Identify your target market

Now that you have innovative tourism ideas , you need to map out what your ideal potential customer looks like. Think about the types of people that will be attracted to your tour.

  • What’s their age demographic?
  • Where are they coming from?
  • What language(s) do they speak?
  • What interests do they have?

Who your customers are will determine many of the decisions you make later. This information will also be crucial when you create your marketing strategy. So, take the time to get to know your target market.

Research your competitors

Having found your tour idea and evaluated the market in the previous section, you’re almost ready to register your tour company. But first, you’ll need to research your competition, so you know what you’re up against. Head to Google and search simple like “tour operators near me” and ask yourself:

  • What are they doing well?
  • Where are their gaps?
  • What are their price points like?

Then, find ways to differentiate yourself and stand out.

Register your tour company

travel your business

With your research complete, now is a good time to consider your options for registering your business. Go to your local tourism board and find out the requirements for starting a tour company in your area. Here are some of the legalities you might have to go through.

Name your tour business

The first thing you need to do is name your business. Your tour name will be used in all of your documentation. Make sure your name is both memorable and descriptive. The most important is if the website domain is available. If your name checks all the boxes, go to your local Registrar of Companies to get it approved and then purchase your domain.

Register your business

Now that you have a name you’re ready to make things official by registering your business. There are different options for how you register— sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations. Speaking to a small business accountant is a great idea to understand the tax implications of each option. Then, evaluate the pros and cons of each before you make your decision.

Get your business license and permits

Once you’ve registered your business, you’ll need to get a local business license. Check in with your local municipality to do this. You might need to obtain additional permits and licensing based on where you are operating and if you have any vehicles.

Purchase liability insurance

Protect your business, yourself, and your guests by getting liability insurance. Accidents happen, that’s a given. But to ensure that you aren’t held personally liable, you’ll want to meet with an insurance company to learn about what coverage your business needs. Some commonly required in the tourism industry are:

  • Commercial General Liability (CGL)
  • Property Insurance
  • Accounts Receivable Insurance

Register as a tour guide

If you are guiding, you might need to complete a course to become a licensed tourist guide. This allows you to take tourists around a designated geographical area. To find out if you need to register as a guide, check in with your local tourism board.

Open a business bank account

Now that you have a business license, you’ll want to open a corporate bank account. This will help you keep track of all your expenses and revenue and make accounting a lot easier.

Design your tour 

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Write your business plan

With all the legalities taken care of, it’s time to write your business plan.

A business plan is a document that holds all of your ideas. It’s your roadmap that helps you determine how you’ll move forward. Include your company description, market analysis, partnership opportunities, and small business goals . It should also include your marketing plan, operations plan, and a list of your vendors, products, and services. It should also contain a variety of financial projections for your first 1-5 years of business. Remember: it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers right away, but it’s good to know what to focus on as you grow.

Side note: once you get up and running, you should learn how to develop a strategic plan to help you reach your ultimate vision for your tour operator business.

Create your Unique Selling Proposition

With your business plan in hand, it’s time to lock down your unique selling proposition.  This explains what makes your tour better than the competition. It’s the benefit that travelers can only get by booking with you — like that you provide ethical travels & tours .  You should be able to define this in one sentence.

Set your tour pricing

Now that you’ve evaluated your market it’s time to determine the value of your tour and choose what you will charge. It’s important to consider your operating costs and market value as well as what you think customers are willing to pay. This part often feels overwhelming for a lot of start-up businesses, which is why we’ve created our free Tour Operator Costing Sheet .

Craft your brand story

Now comes the fun part—it’s time to create a compelling story for your tour. Make sure it has a definite beginning, middle, and end. Find themes that you can carry through the entire experience. A clear narrative makes your tour more memorable.  The goal is to have your guests telling their friends all the neat things they learned in the weeks that follow.

Design a tour logo

Once you’ve created a story for your tour, it’s time to design your brand around it. The first step is to create a logo. Your logo is the visual representation of your business. It will be used in all of your marketing collateral. You can choose to work with a graphic designer, or give free tools like Canva a try. Lookin for some inspiration? Check out more ideas for branding your business .

Build a travel website

Alright! You’re finally ready to create an online presence for your business . This is how many travelers will find you when researching their trips. If you don’t know how to build a website you have a few options; you could hire a contractor, or try your hand with tools like: Wix , Squarespace , or WordPress . Whatever you choose, make sure your website works with online booking system (like Checkfront 😉).

Set up an online booking system

You don’t just want travelers to find you online; you want them to make, and pay, for reservations right on your website. To do this, you need an online booking system . Your booking system can also be used to process your in-person and over the phone reservations. Here are a few links that will help you find the platform that’s right for you.

  • What is an Online Booking System?
  • How to Create an Online Booking System in 24 Hours (or Less)
  • Start Using Checkfront’s Booking System for Free

Build Relationships 

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Talk to other tour guides

When starting a business, many entrepreneurs think they need to do everything on their own. This can lead to loneliness and frustration. But, you don’t have to do it alone. Many guides would be happy to share their knowledge with you. Go out and build relationships with other operators in your city, who aren’t direct competitors. Online communities like Tourpreneur are an invaluable resource for tour operators at any stage of their business.

Connect with the local tourism community

Take any opportunity you have to build relationships with local business . While it’s difficult to walk into a room full of strangers and feel like an outsider, you won’t regret pushing yourself to meet other business owners. You’ll feel connected to people in the same boat as you and get a lot from the relationships you make. Just don’t forget to give back. Here are a few key relationships you should build locally:

  • With your local city council
  • Your local tourism or destination management organization (DMO)
  • Your local tourist information office
  • Hotel front desks and tour desks

Market Your Tour

travel your business

With your target market defined and your marketing strategy ready to go, it’s time to get the word out about your amazing business! From online travel agents to social media to email marketing, we’ll cover it all:

List your tours on OTAs

Make it easy for travelers to find you by listing your tour on online travel agents (OTAs). OTA’s like Viator, Expedia Local Expert, Google Things To Do and GetYourGuide already have experience in digital advertising and have built up a mass following. While they will take a commission from your sales, they also have a significant amount of marketing spend at their disposal that your business can benefit from.

Think about it like selling vegetables — while you could set up a booth at a local farmer’s market, you’ll probably get far more customers by selling in a grocery store.

Implement SEO best practices

Now that you’re tour is listed with a couple online travel agents, it’s time to start driving traffic to your website. The best long-term strategy to do so is through search engine optimization (SEO). You can use SEO best practices to optimize your site for Google and other search engines. One of the best things to do is to SEO optimize your product descriptions . That way when someone searches for something related to your tour, your website shows up in search results.

Buy Google Adwords

While SEO is great, it’s a long-term strategy and can takee time to crawl up Google or Bing’s search rankings. To get immediate results you can buy AdWords. Instead of waiting for Google’s algorithm to show your website on the results page, you bid on specific keywords related to your business so your site shows up on top of the page.

Start email marketing

With steady visitor traffic coming to your website, you’ll want to capture their emails so you can stay in touch with them. Email marketing is a powerful tool when done right but it will take some work to stand out in your customers’ inboxes. Our Complete Guide to Email Marketing for Tourism Operators is a great place to start.

Get on Facebook and Instagram

Social media is where your customers are likely spending most of their time online, so you should be there, too. Creating a Facebook page and Instagram account will let you connect to your customers, post pictures of your tours, and make your company information easy to share and recommend. Plus, you can use Facebook Messenger or Instagram’s Direct Messages to answer questions and use the ad network on both platforms to help more people discover your tour.

Launch Your Tour

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Host Your Friends and Family

As you prepare for a successful business launch , you’ll want to do a few test runs. We recommend a pre-launch buzz campaign or hosting a few friends and family first. Think of it as your dress rehearsal. Go through the tour from start to finish and collect as much feedback as you can. Once you feel confident that you’ve worked out the kinks, you’re ready to launch! 

Final thoughts

Building your own tour business is no easy feat. From designing a tour and evaluating your market, to building relationships, your brand, your online presence, and getting those first customers through the door. There’s a lot of pieces to put together. However, following this step-by-step guide and your intuition you’ll have a successful tour operator business in no time.

Want to get your tour business off to a running start?

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Join the 30 Day ‘Things to Do’ Challenge for Tour Operators.

Tackle one small task a day and watch your business grow.

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33 Travel Business Ideas To Start In [2024]

Are you Interested in starting innovative travel business ideas ?

Starting a travel business can be a great way to make money and have fun. You could start your travel agency or find another niche in the industry you know well.

We put together 33 travel business ideas you can start in 2024. We'll highlight real-world examples of other travel businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start an online travel agency

An online travel agency is a web-based marketplace that allows consumers to research and book travel products and services.

Nearly 1 billion people make travel bookings online. Besides, 70% of travelers research trips on mobile devices.

With the online booking trend on an upward trajectory, 2024 is a great time to start an online travel agency.

How much you can make: $41,666 — $114,200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

travel your business

How a first-time founder grew the first-ever online travel agency in Bangladesh to 700+ airlines and one million-plus hotels worldwide, with a 50% increase in revenue in October 2021 compared to pre-Covid sales and aiming to hit break-even by March 2022.

travel your business

2. Start a surprise travel agency

Are you looking for a scalable side hustle idea and one that allows you some flexibility?

A surprise travel agency is a good option that will enable you to choose a friendly niche market.

Besides, a surprise travel agency lets you gain exposure and experience while it is an opportunity with unlimited income potential.

If you love sharing travel recommendations and always find the best local spots when you visit a new city, this will be ideal for you.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $550,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week

travel your business

Whisked Away Surprise Travel is a curated travel service for clients overwhelmed by the planning process, with revenue growth exponentially increasing each year since its launch in March 2017.

travel your business

3. Start a travel agency

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.

As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $114,200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

travel your business

Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.

travel your business

4. Start a travel rewards app

A travel rewards app is a special mobile app that helps you earn points and rewards while traveling. These apps are designed to be used by frequent travelers who are looking to benefit from their travels.

If you love to travel but have never been able to afford it then this might be the first step to turning your dream into a reality. By making a travel rewards app you can earn handsome money by monetizing that app.

Creating a travel rewards app sounds like a complicated task. But it can be much easier than you think. You don't need travel industry experience or an office in Silicon Valley to design something that gives people more ways to earn rewards on their everyday purchases.

How much you can make: $150,000/month

How long does it take to build: 800 days (?)

travel your business

AwardWallet is a loyalty program tracking website which has grown to over $150,000 in monthly revenue, and since launch has retained users mainly through word of mouth due to its superior product in the space.

travel your business

5. Start a travel blog

If you are an avid traveler, you will agree there is nothing like arriving on a tropical island. The exotic creatures, clear oceans, palm trees, plenty of water activities, and cool weather are some reasons travelers choose tropical destinations.

Do you live on a tropical island? Or maybe you are a blogger looking for the next idea. How about starting a blog relating to tropical island destinations? You can mention all the fantastic sightseeing sites, water activities, and other fun activities available to travelers.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

travel your business

Learn how Jessica started a niche travel blog and quit her 9-5 job, earning a living wage through Instagram advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate income, while traveling 3-4 times a month and increasing her website traffic from 400 to 25k page views in a year with Pinterest and Instagram growth tactics.

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6. Start a travel-planning app business

In the past, arranging trips on your own was a challenge only a few people could take on. Travel agents were on the rise at the time and handled everything from hotel reservations to ticket booking and traveler's itineraries.

Today, travel agents are at the risk of becoming obsolete as more travelers embrace the online travel trend. According to research, the online travel booking service will experience a compound annual growth rate of 9.0% in the coming years.

Therefore, starting an online travel-planning app business can be a profitable venture. Some potential opportunities include:

  • Travel itinerary planning apps
  • Travel booking apps
  • Location-tracking apps
  • Language translation apps

The travel-planning apps should provide users with instant availability of information, a one-stop platform, & simplify transactions,

How much you can make: $22,000 — $114,200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

travel your business

Visa List is a successful micro start-up that provides one-stop visa information for travellers, earning $5000/month on average with 350K monthly active users and has helped over 2 million users with their visa requirements, all starting from a personal frustration with visa processes.

travel your business

7. Start a discount travel website

Discount travel websites help travelers save on the cost of travel. Besides, discount travel websites help hotels and travel agents achieve full booking and highlight promotions.

More people search for discount offers on travel websites. Thus, starting your discount travel website can be a lucrative business opportunity.

How much you can make: $70,000 — $1,500,000/month

travel your business

I Know The Pilot founder Garth Adams shares how he grew his airfare and accommodation deals newsletter from a simple WordPress site to over 780,000 email subscribers, 110,000 app users, and 550,000 Facebook fans on a 100% free business model, and how he's pivoted domestically during the Covid-19 pandemic.

travel your business

8. Start a travel products business

Even people who deeply love traveling will admit that it can be exhausting. To improve comfort levels, travelers search for everything from neck pillows to waterproof backpacks, water bottles, etc.

Imagine being an online travel store where people can go to and purchase weather-proof backpacks, hand sanitizers, travel masks, umbrellas, outdoor gear, etc.

To reach success quickly, offer them an easy and convenient shopping experience.

travel your business

TourScanner, a meta-search engine for tours and activities, achieved monthly net revenue of $60k and plans to reach $1M ARR in 2022, utilizing a lightweight business model based on affiliate programs that earned a commission from referrals sent to major travel companies like Viator, GetYourGuide, Musement, and Groupon.

travel your business

9. Start a travel company

Travel companies sell transportation, lodging, plan trips, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups.

If you love traveling, you can start a company that organizes trips for different people. Choose a niche and ensure travel packages that suit them best.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $114,200,000/month

travel your business

Under30Experiences is a travel company for people aged 21-35 that runs small group trips around the world, with over 800 five-star reviews on Facebook, Google, and Yelp combined, and nearly hitting $5M in revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic.

travel your business

10. Start a travel directory

An online travel directory is a website that serves as a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.

It provides travelers with a vast selection of trusted reviews and tips to help people travel across the globe with ease.

These directories usually offer a comprehensive database of destinations, including hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and travel agents, among others.

One of the significant benefits of these directories is that they allow users to add destinations from their travel agent’s listings or local business listings based on reviews and testimonials from fellow travelers.

This feature helps users make informed decisions about their travel plans by providing them with a wealth of information on various destinations.

Additionally, online travel directories tend to have an active community of users who share their travel experiences and offer valuable insights and tips.

This community-driven approach to travel planning ensures that users get reliable and up-to-date information that can help them plan their trips with confidence.

Overall, online travel directories are an excellent resource for anyone looking to explore the world, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-timer.

They offer a wealth of information on various destinations, making it easy to plan a memorable trip that meets your unique preferences and budget.

How much you can make: $7,000 — $250,000/month

travel your business

11. Become a travel photographer

Are you a talented creative with an ever-enduring sense of wanderlust and looking for a business to support your travel expenses? Becoming a travel photographer can be a great business opportunity!

Travel photographers focus on documenting places, animals, and sceneries on their photojournalist websites or library and selling to different clients.

For instance, you could get your photo on a national geographic cover or sell it as print art at local museums or galleries.

How much you can make: $2,300 — $233,333/month

travel your business

Wandering Aunt founder Robin Finney shares her journey of starting a sustainable travel business, including her decision to leave her corporate marketing job of 11 years, using a simple website and free tools like Mailchimp to grow her email list and attract customers, and the importance of investing in a coaching program for support.

travel your business

12. Start a travel booking app

The travel industry is a booming business, and it’s only getting bigger. Online booking apps have made it easier for people to book their travel arrangements, and they are becoming more popular each year.

If you want to start a travel booking app, you should have a strong understanding of the travel industry and be experienced in programming too.

The recent trends that are making this business more popular are the growth of the travel industry and the rise of mobile technology. Businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to book travel arrangements.

Starting a travel booking app can be interesting and profitable. It offers a unique opportunity to develop an app that can be used by businesses to reach their customers. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get involved in the travel booking industry and learn more about how it works.

How much you can make: $2,800 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

travel your business

Tiny Away, a network of eco-friendly 'tiny houses' across Australia, has grown to over 75 private locations and brings in an average of $156,000 in monthly rental revenue, appealing to city dwellers seeking unique and comfortable accommodation experiences.

travel your business

13. Start a travel consulting business

Many people dream of traveling the world. Starting a travel consulting business is an excellent way to make a passive income, explore different parts of the world, and help others do the same.

As a travel consultant, you will provide advice to clients on various aspects of travel, including destinations, airfare, accommodations, and activities.

The objective is to assist tourists and travelers in planning personalized vacations, offer travel advice, and provide end-to-end travel arrangements for a fee.

By making use of industry knowledge and relationships with hotels, airlines, and destination experts, travel consultants can save their clients time and effort in designing their dream trips.

How much you can make: $14,167 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

travel your business

Rayna Tours and Travels, founded by Kamlesh Ramchandani and Manoj Tulsani, began its journey as a small travel counter inside a Dubai hotel, and has now grown into one of the UAE’s leading destination management companies with earnings exceeding $40 million per year.

travel your business

14. Start a travel information business

Travel information websites provide information about travel and tourism.

Travel and tourism content on the site may include articles, blogs, and forums. Travelers check websites for details such as booking flights or hotels, providing weather forecasts, or maps with directions to various destinations. If you are starting a travel information website, provide the users with an attractive, easy-to-navigate interface.

It should be well-designed and provide a comprehensive database of information about all the tourist destinations in the world. It is important to remember that such a website must be updated regularly. Content writers must ensure that they are constantly adding new articles, photos, videos, and other media content.

How much you can make: $14,167 — $1,600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

travel your business

15. Start a travel influencer business

Travel influencers create content about travel, tourism, and culture and share their experiences via social media or personal blogs.

If you love exploring new places and are interested in earning a side income, consider becoming a travel influencer. Your role will be to document places you have visited and feature unique formations, cultures, and landscapes.

Share your content via social media channels and include relevant hashtags. Travel influencers earn income through partnerships with travel and tour companies and advertisement revenue based on their niche.

How much you can make: $50 — $416,667/month

travel your business

PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.

travel your business

16. Start an adventure travel agent

Adventure travel is a type of tourism in which the tourist seeks out and experiences various physical, emotional, and mental challenges.

Adventure travel agents are experts in the field of adventure travel. The travel agents know what to expect and can help you with everything from booking flights, to finding the right hotel, to getting a visa.

Adventure travel agents book trips on travelers’ behalf and helps them plan the trips. They know the best places to visit, what time of year suits that destination, and what experiences are available. A successful adventure travel agency starts with a solid business plan. A good business plan is a foundation for any business and can be the difference between success and failure.

What should you include in your adventure travel agency business plan? A feasibility study, a marketing strategy, financial projections, a SWOT analysis, and more. The key to success is finding a niche you are passionate about and well-versed in.

How much you can make: $800 — $233,333/month

travel your business

Constructed Adventures, a company that creates custom-tailored adventures for special occasions, charges a flat rate for adventures and expects a profit of around 60k in 2019, having learned valuable lessons about pricing structure for events, always being open and transparent, and using Google Drive to organize expenses and schedules among other tips.

travel your business

17. Start a travel planning business

Travel planning business is a service that helps people to plan their vacations, holidays, and trips. They offer information about destinations, hotels, flights, and other travel-related services. A travel planner can help you with any aspect of your journey. They will be able to suggest the best destinations for your budget and itinerary preferences.

To succeed in this competitive environment, a travel planner needs to have the following skills:

  • Excellent customer service skills
  • A strong understanding of the various destinations
  • Good knowledge of hotels and other travel-related services
  • Good communication skills

How long does it take to build: 285 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

travel your business

18. Start a travel guide website

A travel guide website is a website that provides information about traveling. It can be for any type of travel, such as air, bus, or train. Some websites provide general information about different types of transportation and destinations.

Other websites may provide detailed information about one type of transportation (such as trains) or one destination (such as Kenya). To start a travel guide website, you need to know your destination and the types of content you want to publish.

A travel guide website can be a blog or a full-fledged website, but it should be informative and well-designed. You should also think about how it will look on mobile devices.

The next step is to create the content for your website and ensure that it's up-to-date with current events in the region. An SEO strategy and an understanding of online marketing campaigns can help travelers find your site when searching for regional information.

Lastly, you should work on building links with other relevant websites so that search engines can find and rank your site better in their search results pages.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $30,000/month

travel your business

Yolo Journal's founder, Yolanda Edwards, launched a travel lifestyle media brand with a magazine and newsletter that now generates $20k a month in revenue. Edwards' business success can be attributed to understanding the hole in the magazine market and creating trust-worthy insider information.

travel your business

19. Start a travel bags business

A travel bag business is an excellent way to make money and have a flexible schedule. It's also a great way to stay in shape because you'll walk around with your bags all day. There are many ways to start your own travel bag business.

Here are the most popular methods:

  • Find a supplier of wholesale bags and buy from them
  • Start by making custom bags for friends and family members
  • Start by making custom bags for yourself and then sell them on eBay or Etsy

How much you can make: $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,550 (?)

travel your business

Maxwell-Scott is a British-born luxury leather goods company handmade in Tuscany that sells to AB degree-level educated professionals with high disposable income and is now taking $400,000 a month across websites in 7 countries.

travel your business

20. Write a travel guidebook

Every travel destination offers a unique experience. Are you passionate about traveling and exploring new locations? You can translate unique experiences into something tangible for other travelers by writing a travel guidebook.

A travel guidebook explains to travelers different things about the destination, including:

  • What is there to do
  • What and where to eat
  • How to get around
  • Where to stay

If you are enthusiastic about your local neighborhoods and townships, you can share a lot of information and market them as ideal travel locations.

How much you can make: $200/month

travel your business

Learn how a writer and tour guide turned her niche knowledge of the Spanish island of La Palma into a successful book business, earning ⅓ of her modest income through sales of her self-published guide book to the island's astronomical observatory and other publications, often selling directly to observatory visitors and other outlets, and how the books promote her income-earning work.

travel your business

21. Start a RV rental business

An RV rental business involves acquiring a fleet of recreational vehicles to rent out as campers for travelers and vacationers.

As an RV rental business owner, you supply motorhomes equipped with living essentials for road trips and outdoor getaways.

With flexibility around RV classes from luxury to budget rates, building inventories and customizing rental packages can create diverse revenue streams.

For hospitality-inclined founders seeking an accessible franchise, an RV rental company presents a promising venture as pandemic-weary travelers prioritize domestic trips focused on flexibility and the outdoors.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $250,000/month

travel your business

ROAMERICA, a campervan rental company founded by Taylor Hood and Gretchen Bayless who quit their full-time jobs to focus on their business and have expanded their fleet quickly to meet the demand of adventure-seeking customers, with most of their web traffic coming from organic Google searches and a focus on social media and brand awareness.

travel your business

22. Start an airbnb management company

An Airbnb management company manages every aspect on behalf of an owner and manages a complete day-to-day running of a rental property.

The services offered by the Airbnb management company include: marketing a property, optimizing financing, meeting and greeting guests, repairs, maintenance, and cleaning.

An Airbnb management company fee structure is generally based on commission, flat rate, and guaranteed income.

Airbnb management companies can easily increase the Rental Income by a minimum of 30% to 50% without compromising guest experiences.

To become an Airbnb property manager, one should be able to find homeowners who will be interested in the services offered by you. Airbnb property managers can make an average annual salary of $55,000 or $27 per hour.

How much you can make: $1,333 — $270,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

travel your business

HostButlers is Ireland's first professional property concierge service for short-term rentals on Airbnb, boasting over 200,000 hosted guests and profitability from month 5.

travel your business

23. Start a tourist visa information business

The tourist visa information business is a service that provides detailed information to tourists and potential immigrants about the requirements of the country they are traveling to or immigrating to.

The tourism industry has grown tremendously in recent years, which has led to a significant increase in demand for tourist visa information services. You can start a tourist visa information business with little capital investment.

A tourist visa information business is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to start a small business with high profits and low risk.

How much you can make: $22,000 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,050 (?)

travel your business

24. Become a bed and breakfast owner

Bed and breakfast is a sort of hybrid between a luxury hotel and a private home. The host offers the guests affordable accommodation featuring a bed and breakfast at the room's price. B&Bs offer affordable accommodations and are becoming popular among travelers who prefer a private setting.

If you have realistic expectations, B&B can be a profitable and enjoyable business. To start, you can renovate and turn your home into an inn. Alternatively, you can build or buy a ready house and convert it into a modern B&B.

25. Start a car rental business

Starting a car rental business can be a profitable venture for those interested in the auto industry.

Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business , target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $583,333/month

travel your business

26. Start an airport bus shuttle services

An airport bus shuttle service transports people and luggage to and from or within airports. An airport shuttle service can be profitable to operate.

If you plan to start an airport bus shuttle, focus on building alliances and partnerships with companies and local businesses that will supply you with customers.

27. Start a travel youtube channel

A travel YouTube channel shares videos of anything from you or your family traveling to places you have been to or even things you have seen. There are several goals for starting a travel YouTube channel. For example, You can make money from it or use the channel to promote your travel agency.

However, you should do some research before starting your channel to know what kind of content you want to create and what type of equipment you need.

28. Start a motorcycle travel guides business

A motorcycle travel guide is a person who is both a rider and an expert on destinations. The guide provides advice, tips, and information about the best places to ride in the area. Motorcycle travel guides are often very knowledgeable about the roads and routes riders should take.

The motorcycle travel guide industry has been growing steadily over recent years as more people want to explore their country on two wheels. If you love adventure and can ride a bike, starting a motorcycle travel guide business can be an effective idea to generate additional revenue as you do what you love.

However, it is not just about telling people what they should do. It is also about listening to what they want and making sure that they have a great time while they are there.

How long does it take to build: 5 days (?)

29. Start a specialty travel business

A specialty travel business specializes in providing a specific type of travel experience. Examples of specialty travel businesses include adventure tours, eco-tourism, and luxury cruises.

These agencies are often called “niche” or “boutique” and have more experience and knowledge about their niche than larger companies. The first step to starting your own specialty travel business is to identify what niche you want to specialize in. It can be anything from destination-specific (e.g., Paris) to specific types of trips (e.g., cruises).

How much you can make: $54,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

travel your business

Augustin Ndikuriyo founded Augustine Tours, a travel company that offers wildlife safari and cultural tour experiences around East Africa, which makes a monthly average of €50K/Month and focuses on transformative tourism that benefits visitors and the local communities.

travel your business

30. Start a cruise ship travel agent business

Cruise ship travel agents are professionals who work on board cruise ships. They are responsible for helping passengers plan their trips, make reservations for shore excursions, and assist them with any other travel-related needs.

Cruise ship agents may specialize in a specific area of expertise, such as booking tours or finding excursions that match the interests of the passengers. For example, if the passenger is interested in wildlife viewing or diving, then the agent might have extensive knowledge of which tours would be best for them to take.

The first step to starting a cruise ship travel agent is to find a cruise line you are interested in. The next step is to find out if the company has any openings for an agent. If they do, you will need to apply for the position. If not, you may need to wait until one becomes available.

31. Start a travel trailers rental business

Travel and exploration have become a big part of everyday life in our modern society. Due to this, they need comfortable products on the road. One such product is travel trailer rental. People opt to rent a travel trailer instead of buying one themselves because:

  • They don’t have enough space in their house.
  • They don’t have the money to buy one.
  • They want to try out different models before deciding which is best for them.

Thus, there is a ready market for travel trailers rental businesses.

32. Start a travel destination finder app business

Travelling is always an exciting adventure. Travelers want to explore the world and find new places to visit. The travel destination finder app helps travelers find their desired destinations and plan their trips accordingly. The app can be downloaded on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to use.

The user can enter their preferred location, travel date, budget, interests, etc., and the app provides a list of destinations that match these parameters.

Travel app provides information about:

  • The best time to visit these destinations for each season.
  • Things that should be taken care of before traveling.
  • Details about visa requirements.
  • Top tourist attractions in different countries etc.

How much you can make: $114,200,000/month

travel your business

Tripadvisor is a global travel advice network with over 1 billion reviews and recommendations from almost 8 million companies that generated 902 million U.S. dollars in global revenue in 2021, representing a 49% increase from the previous year.

travel your business

33. Start a travel medicine clinic

Are you an expert in tropical and travel medicine looking for a good business opportunity? Starting a travel medicine clinic business can be profitable. The travel clinic offers travel immunizations, other travel medications, and expert travel advisories to dignitaries.

travel your business

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10+ Best & Profitable Travel Business Ideas [2023]

Nick

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 07, 2024

Image of travel business ideas

Our List of 10+ Best Travel Business Ideas:

Tour guide business, bed and breakfast, concierge service, airport transfer service, group and individual travel planning, travel photography business, cruise agency, adventure travel business, specialty travel agency, incentive travel business.

Imagine this: you're lounging on a sun-kissed beach, tropical drink in hand, all while your bank account keeps growing. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, welcome to the exciting world of travel business! As we look forward to 2023, the opportunities in this sector are not only abundant but also incredibly profitable.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur looking for your next venture, or a travel enthusiast who wants to turn passion into profit, you're in the right place. We've scoured the globe (virtually, of course!) and hand-picked 10+ of the best and most profitable travel business ideas that are set to take off in 2023.

Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery, inspiration, and potentially, financial freedom. Remember, every great journey begins with a single step. So, buckle up and let's dive into the world of travel entrepreneurship!

A tour guide business is an ideal business opportunity for those who have a deep understanding of the local area and a passion for sharing this knowledge with others. Tour guides offer customised guided tours, often focusing on the attractions, culture, and history of a particular region. This type of business offers many advantages:

  • Ability to work flexible hours
  • Opportunity to explore your community
  • Opportunity to meet interesting people
  • A chance to make money from something you love doing
  • Opportunities to network with other businesses in the local community.

image of a Tour Guide Business

A bed and breakfast (or B&B) is a type of accommodation with a unique, local appeal. Guests stay in the host’s house, and are typically served breakfast in the morning. It is an ideal business idea for anyone looking to become an entrepreneur in the travel industry, as it provides an intimate service for guests looking for a more homey atmosphere than what a hotel might offer.

  • No large-scale service required
  • Can be run from home or rental property
  • Relatively low start-up costs
  • Beloved by travelers, who often come back year after year
  • Can create additional income by adding amenities such as local tours or services

image of ZenBusiness logo

Examples of successful businesses:

The travel business industry has many successful companies that provide services to customers both domestically and internationally. Some examples of successful companies in the travel business industry are listed below.

  • Marriott International
  • TripAdvisor

A Concierge service is a company that provides customers with personal assistance for their everyday needs. This could include errand-running, grocery shopping, pet-sitting, house cleaning, restaurant reservations and other day-to-day services. It is an ideal business idea as it has much potential for growth and can be tailored to the customer’s individual needs. Some advantages of a Concierge service include:

  • Reasonable cost: prices can be kept at a minimum by charging high-value customers more than the average customer.
  • Flexible hours: With a Concierge service, you will always have time to cater to your clients as you can choose which hours you work.
  • Wide range of services: The range of services you offer will depend on your area and the level of expertise needed by customers.
  • Add value to other businesses: You can add value to other businesses such as hotels, gyms and real estate agencies by providing them with an extra layer of customer service.

More resources:

An airport transfer service is a business providing transportation services to and from airports. It can be a popular and profitable venture for those looking to enter the market. Airport transfer services offer customers convenience, reliability, and safety when travelling to or from an airport. Some of the benefits of starting an airport transfer service include:

  • Flexibility - You can choose your own hours and pick up clients when it fits your schedule.
  • Income potential - Charging clients a fee for the use of the service can bring in profitable income.
  • No prior investments necessary - You don't need to own a car or have any equipment to start running an airport transfer service.
  • Opportunities for growth - With an increasing demand for this type of service, there can be potential for growth.

Group and individual travel planning is an excellent business idea to help people plan their trips. With the right resources and expertise, this could be a great investment of time and money. Some of the benefits of travel planning include:

  • Help save money and time when planning a trip
  • Understand complex logistics involved with transportation, accommodations, activities, etc.
  • Assistance in navigating cultural requirements for different destinations or types of trips
  • Provide guidance for special needs travelers or group travelers
  • A convenient way to plan an entire trip from start to finish

Related business ideas:

Travel photography is a business focused on capturing memories of people’s trips and vacations. It can involve taking photographs of landscapes, monuments, cityscapes and other places of interest. It can also involve taking photos of people during their travels, such as posing in front of famous sights or experiencing the local culture. There are many reasons why travel photography would make a good business idea:

  • It provides a unique service to travelers
  • It requires minimal overhead costs
  • It has the potential to earn significant income
  • It provides an interesting and exciting job
  • It provides flexible working hours

A cruise agency is a business that specializes in coordinating and booking cruises for customers. It can provide services such as helping customers select their desired itinerary, accommodation, and other amenities. Cruise agencies have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the growth of the cruise industry, making it a great business idea.

  • Advantage of Scale: Cruise agencies can purchase bulk quantities of cruise tickets at wholesale prices, which gives them access to discounts that individual customers cannot get.
  • Wide Customer Base: Cruise agencies can offer customized packages to a wide variety of customers, including families, individuals, and groups.
  • Investment Portfolio: By offering cruises from various cruise lines, cruise agencies can increase their earnings by diversifying their investment portfolio.
  • Expertise: Cruise agencies have access to experienced staff with in-depth knowledge of the cruise industry which allows them to provide customers with better service.

Adventure travel business involves providing travelers with exciting and unique experiences that are usually focused on exploration and discovery. Adventure trips can include activities such as trekking, mountaineering, safaris, white-water rafting, bird watching and other outdoor activities. Such businesses can make a good business idea, as they offer the opportunity to make money while helping people to experience adventure and explore nature.

  • Adventure travel businesses are a rapidly growing market due to increased interest in exploring different countries and cultures.
  • Adventure trips can be tailored to meet the interests of each traveler, so they can be very cost effective.
  • Adventure travel businesses have a wide range of potential customers including backpackers, families, and corporate groups.
  • The industry is constantly evolving with new technology and opportunities for travelers
  • The business model is highly scalable; companies can quickly ramp up operations to accommodate changing market demand.

A Specialty travel agency is a business that specializes in selling customized, niche travel experiences. These specialized trips can be tailored to a variety of interests and needs - from adventure-filled backpacking trips to luxury vacations. They offer an opportunity for travelers to experience the world in a more unique and individualized way.

  • Custom Travel Packages - A specialty travel agency can create unique and tailored packages for any traveler.
  • Expert Knowledge - Specialty travel agents know the ins and outs of their area of specialization. They can provide valuable insight into the nuances of each destination.
  • VIP Service - Specialty travel agencies often provide exclusive access and advantages not available to regular travelers.
  • Cost Savings - By booking through a specialty travel agency, travelers can save money due to the expertise and network of contacts the agency has established.

Incentive travel business is the practice of providing people with rewards for reaching set goals or for promoting certain products or services. Incentive travel packages can be tailored to an individual's needs and can include a range of rewards from free tickets to international trips. Incentive travel is a great business idea because:

  • It encourages loyalty and performance within companies
  • It increases engagement and productivity
  • It strengthens relationships between clients and partners
  • It provides unique opportunities to employees and customers alike
  • It can be customized to fit any budget

More helpful resources about LLCs:

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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  • Manage last-minute bookings and travel disruption with 24/7 agent support
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  • Benefit from dedicated account management to help maximize your travel program

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Planning a business trip 101: Tips for regular business travelers

There’s a lot to consider when planning a business trip. This guide is designed to make sure you’re prepared to get going. Travel for business is easier when you’re prepared.

By Jessica Freedman

February 9, 2024

business travel tips

Planning a business trip is not always fun and games ; there’s a lot to think about. Whether you’re a small business owner, a regular business traveler or a travel manager, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. You have to deal with searching for the best travel deals, planning the ideal itinerary, and if you’re the one traveling, make a packing list.

Dealing with all that goes into planning business trips for yourself, your boss and your company is no easy task, which is why we’ve created this Business Trip 101 to help you get going. Travel easier and be sure how to plan a business trip after reading this guide. 

Get going, travel easier

The more efficient your planning is, the more productive you can be on your business trips as a regular business traveler because you will have a clear agenda and know where your priorities lie. When it comes to corporate travel there is a lot to keep in mind such as flight and hotel bookings, scheduling, ground transportation, checked baggage vs. hand luggage and everyone’s agendas. The more organized you are, the better yours and your team’s results will be.

How to plan a business trip

Planning a business trip can take a lot of work, and part of that is making sure you can balance the business traveler’s mental health (or if you’re the one planning, you have your own wellbeing in mind) as well as the physical needs with the objectives of the company. This is why it’s so important to start with a goal. This way you can see if your agenda is feasible and whether it helps work towards achieving a goal while also following a rhythm that is feasible for the person doing the traveling. If you can, try to have a master planning list that allows you to optimize the time that goes into planning, and then you can more easily replicate for future trips.

1. Start with a goal

If you are looking for how to plan a business trip and stay efficient, we suggest you start with a goal for your business trip . Figure out what you want to accomplish and why you must take a trip to do so. With a goal in place it will be easier to figure out your objectives and then track KPIs related to the trip. KPIs could be the number of new clients onboarded, number of new prospects, number of sales contacts, or goals like designing the Marketing Plan for the following year or simply teambuilding, depending of course on the goal of your business trip.

If you are a regular business traveler traveling for a sales meeting, why not set up several meetings with different potential clients and current clients in the same area to avoid having to travel so frequently? This way you can focus on quality business trips over quantity, which makes them more productive and you will experience less travel fatigue, especially for regular business travelers. 

2. Plan travel once and repeat

Sometimes the biggest part of getting anything done is devising a plan. So start your business trip planning by coming up with a travel plan that is easily replicable for future trips. Start by making a list of everything that you need to do to plan and turn it into a checklist. Business travel like any project needs a roadmap to get anything accomplished.

Need a helping hand to get started? Download our checklist!

3. create a master business trip itinerary.

Creating standard itinerary for a business trip oftentimes will fall in the hands of an administrative or HR professional, but if one isn’t provided for you, there are some important details you must consider jotting down such as transportation times and details, travel reservation and confirmation numbers, addresses, emergency contact information, check in and check out times for the hotel, day-to-day schedule details (such as what time do meetings start, where and how long do they go), as well as contact information for the people you will be meeting with. 

It may seem overwhelming at first but once you have a master business trip itinerary outline it will be easily replicable for your next trip. If you work with a travel management company like GetGoing , you can store all your itineraries and travel documents in one place making managing your business trips as easy as the snap of a finger. 

4. Store all business trip-related documents in one place

As we’ve mentioned, when you work with a travel management company, all of your business and trip-related documents will be stored in one place on the web app, including important contact information for travelers, hotel information, emergency contacts, and a support phone number to call in case of issues. 

If you are booking all your regular business trips on your own without the support of a TMC, then be sure to have a spreadsheet and shared drive dedicated to your travel plans and itineraries. It will be easier to keep track of everything and ensure nothing gets missed.

Packing and trip lists: lists are your friend

When it comes time to pack for your business trip there is nothing more important than having a list ready with everything you need to start your business travel plans, especially if you’re a regular business traveler. That means having a running list of those elements that you can’t travel without like your passport or ID, your computer, a mouse, a pen and notebook, or your business cards.

Consult our ultimate packing list for more ideas about the travel essentials.

Make a list of all the travel extras

Extras can be things like checking a bag, traveling business class on a flight, purchasing an in-flight meal, having a driver pick you up, and more. The kinds of extras permitted might depend on your company’s travel policy. For example, taking a taxi instead of the bus to the airport may or not be allowed based on the budget per trip your company has in mind, so make sure to check with your travel manager, HR or office manager about what is and is not allowed. 

Search for business travel deals

Finding business travel deals is perhaps the most important and time-consuming task when it comes to making your business travel arrangements. If your company doesn’t already work with a TMC, you may consider urging them to sign up for a corporate travel management solutions company who can help you find the best (and most convenient) travel deals . 

Some other cheap travel hacks for regular business travelers are:

  • Be flexible with dates
  • Travel in the middle of the week instead of Monday or Friday.
  • Consider traveling via a historically cheap destination to get to your final destination
  • Go with budget flight options like RyanAir, EasyJet or Vueling

Business travel by flight

Business travel by flight is one of the hardest parts of booking a business trip. How can you find the most convenient and shortest route without having to pay an arm and a leg? There is also a fine balance between the amount of time you dedicate to searching for cheap flights and the amount you pay because after all time is money, so you don’t want to whittle away your time to spend a little less. 

It’s also hard to know, whether hand luggage is enough for you when traveling by air, whether it’s worth-it to book business or first class (and if your company even allows it). One of the most important things is to familiarize yourself with your company’s travel policy so you don’t find surprises when it comes time to having your travel approved. 

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Checked or hand luggage only: Is hand luggage enough for you when traveling by air?

So should you go with checked or hand luggage only? Is hand luggage enough for you when traveling by air? Our rule of thumb when is to ask yourself the following questions, which can help you decide whether hand luggage is enough or if you should consider fronting the extra bucks to check a bag:

  • Is your meeting formal or informal? If it’s formal you may want to consider checking a bag so you can keep your suit or blouse from wrinkling.
  • How many days are you traveling for? 1-4 days of informal business travel can easily be packed into hand luggage only. Beyond 5 days, it’s definitely worth checking a bag or if you have to deal with cold weather or different climates on the different stops in your trip.
  • Will you be adding time on for bleisure or blended travel? If you decide to add in extra days either before or after your trip you may consider throwing in a bathing suit to hit the beach or the spa or some extra clothes that don’t necessarily scream “I’m on a business trip.”
  • What kind of traveler are you? If you’re the kind of traveler that wants to throw in your rain boots and parka in case it rains when you’re traveling to Spain that has an average of 50 days of rain a year, then you might consider checking a bag. If you’re a “worst case scenario” type of traveler then just a carry-on will most likely never suffice. 

Hotels for business travelers

Choosing the right hotels for regular business travelers is no easy decision. Breakfast or no breakfast? What kind of amenities are non-negotiable? Is it better to be close to the office or downtown? Should you choose a hotel just because they include airport pick-up? There are so many questions to ponder that we’re going to dedicate an exclusive post just to choosing hotels for business travelers. Stay tuned.

Use the right tools for booking hotels for your business trip

Kayak, Skyscanner, Google flights or Hopper are all great tools for your every day trip, but when it comes to business travel, you want a company like GetGoing travel management for businesses that will help optimize and streamline your booking process. The easier trip planning is, the less time you will have to spend planning and the more productive you can be in your daily job. 

And that’s how you plan a business trip

Review and refine the process for planning a business trip . To do so, create a short survey that you can share with your team so you can evaluate how the trip went and assess whether the goals of the meeting were accomplished. This is an important step, especially when deciding whether to travel or not to travel for future trips.  The more often you reach your goals and the more your goals are reliant on a trip to meet them, the more it makes sense to travel. 

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4 of the best practices and 4 of the worst mistakes employees make when traveling for business

  • Employees traveling for work can make their time on the road more pleasant with a few practices. 
  • For a successful trip, business travelers should eat healthily, prioritize sleep, and pack wisely. 
  • This article is part of " Business Travel Playbook ," a series about making the most of work travel.

Insider Today

Business travel continues to rebound from the early stages of the pandemic as employees take more work trips.

A 2023 US Travel Association  survey of 2,379 business travelers  found that the average number of monthly trips the respondents expected to take was around three — a slight bump compared to two trips a month the previous year.

With professionals traveling more for work , Business Insider talked to three frequent business travelers about their successful habits and a few things they avoid when on the go.

4 habits of successful business travelers:

1. practicing good hygiene.

While this might seem obvious, Donzella Burton , the owner of a center for assisted-living healthcare and training, said that if you're going to be taking frequent business trips, it's important to prioritize your health by practicing good hygiene.

"I travel for business once or twice a month, depending on the season," she said. "I wash my hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating or touching my face. If soap and water are not available, I try to make sure I have alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content."

2. Eating healthily and exercising

While business travel can disrupt your routines, eating healthier meals and drinking plenty of water can help you feel more energized . Michael Murray, the CEO of the electronics manufacturer Kopin Corp., travels at least twice a month for business and said that eating healthy meals could be tough, especially when his flights arrive late at night.

"By the time I arrive, many hotels have shut down room service at 9 p.m.," he said. "If it's late, I tend to order from a food-delivery app while I'm en route to my hotel and focus on ordering from places with great ratings, natural food, and decent salads."

Carving out time to exercise on the road is also important because exercise has the potential to boost immune responses and keep energy levels high .

"I invested in some lightweight running/workout shoes which are easy to pack and some workout gear that is light and breathable so I can use it often," Murray said. "When I travel, I choose hotels for their gym equipment, access to walking paths, or access to a nearby fitness chain that offers day passes. I've also downloaded several fitness apps if I need to work out in my hotel room."

3. Enrolling in airline security programs

If you know you'll be flying often, look into signing up for an airline security program to save time before your flight.

"I recommend utilizing TSA PreCheck or Clear," Anneleah Williams-Bridges, a hospital executive and healthcare consultant who travels weekly for her job, said. "These are options to help fast-track your security-check-in process during high travel times and are a valuable time saver that will help you bypass the heavier foot traffic of all the other business travelers."

Both TSA PreCheck and Clear are often great for domestic flyers and can reduce time spent in airport security lines. TSA PreCheck users get access to a separate, shorter security line, and Clear users can jump to the front of the security line after verifying their ID and boarding pass.

4. Prioritizing sleep

While it might be tempting to use all your downtime to tackle more tasks on your to-do list and work late into the night, getting sleep is essential for a successful work trip.

"Don't be brave. You don't get a medal for 'burning through the day' without sleeping," Murray said. "I used to fly to the UK and Ireland and go straight to the office from the overnight flight, which from the East Coast is just enough time to sleep for an hour or two, maybe. In the long run, running on a few hours of sleep wasn't effective for me, my team, and the business."

4 things successful business travelers avoid:

1. overpacking.

Wanting to be prepared for anything is understandable, but don't go overboard with stuffing your suitcase . Overpacking can result in a cluttered hotel room — and you'll likely have to check a bag, which can slow down your commute.

"Packing light is a great way to make it through the airport quicker," Williams-Bridges said. "Only using carry-on luggage for business travel ensures that you can board the plane, exit the plane, and go directly to your destination without waiting for a checked bag. This can save you about an hour and a half of time during your commute."

2. Overplanning

Another successful habit is to avoid overplanning. Burton said that while it's important to have a general idea of what you want to accomplish on a business trip, you should leave room in your schedule for downtime and avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings or events.

"Overplanning every minute of a business trip can lead to unnecessary stress and can hinder the potential for spontaneous discoveries or relaxation," Burton said. "Scheduling downtime allows me to decompress and can offer valuable opportunities for self-care and personal reflection."

3. Booking the cheapest flight

Burton said you should stick to one airline to take advantage of loyalty points if you travel at least once a month. The benefits of joining an airline loyalty program include upgraded seating, lounge access, and priority boarding.

To make things easier, business travelers should also try to book the best direct flights and not opt for the least expensive flight because "sometimes you get what you pay for," Williams-Bridges said, adding that cheaper flights could mean a travel experience riddled with complications like excessive delays.

"I also avoid traveling on holidays, which can be cost-effective," she said. "Lastly, I try to avoid connecting flights, which could add unnecessary flight time to your trip."

4. Consuming too much alcohol

While many business meetings and client dinners can include a glass or two of wine, excessive drinking could result in impaired judgment or a hangover.

"While it's OK to enjoy a drink or two with colleagues or clients, be mindful of alcohol consumption and its impact on your overall health and energy levels," Burton said. "Opt for lighter options like wine or spritzers, and alternate alcoholic beverages with water to stay hydrated."

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Understanding business travel deductions

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IRS Tax Tip 2023-15, February 7, 2023

Whether someone travels for work once a year or once a month, figuring out travel expense tax write-offs might seem confusing. The IRS has information to help all business travelers properly claim these valuable deductions.

Here are some tax details all business travelers should know

Business travel deductions are available when employees must travel away from their  tax home  or  main place of work  for business reasons. A taxpayer is traveling away from home if they are away for longer than an ordinary day's work and they need to sleep to meet the demands of their work while away.

Travel expenses  must be ordinary and necessary. They can't be lavish, extravagant or for personal purposes.

Employers can deduct travel expenses paid or incurred during a  temporary work assignment  if the assignment length does not exceed one year.

Travel expenses for  conventions  are deductible if attendance benefits the business. There are special rules for conventions held  outside North America .

Deductible travel expenses include:

  • Travel by airplane, train, bus or car between your home and your business destination.
  • Fares for taxis or other types of transportation between an airport or train station and a hotel, or from a hotel to a work location.
  • Shipping of baggage and sample or display material between regular and temporary work locations.
  • Using a personally owned car for business.
  • Lodging and  meals .
  • Dry cleaning and laundry.
  • Business calls and communication.
  • Tips paid for services related to any of these expenses.
  • Other similar ordinary and necessary expenses related to the business travel.

Self-employed individuals or farmers with travel deductions

  • Those who are self-employed can deduct travel expenses on  Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) .
  • Farmers can use  Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming .

Travel deductions for the National Guard or military reserves

National Guard or military reserve servicemembers can claim a deduction for unreimbursed travel expenses paid during the  performance of their duty .

Recordkeeping

Well-organized records  make it easier to prepare a tax return. Keep records such as receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support a deduction.

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10 Small Business Tax Deductions Worth Knowing

You can save money by writing off expenses such as insurance, travel, your home office and more.

10 Small Business Tax Deductions

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For small business owners, there are a variety of tax deductions that can help them save money.

There's an old saying that it takes money to make money, and that's often the case for small business owners. It's common to incur expenses on everything from marketing and travel to supplies and insurance.

The good news is, you can write off a wide range of business expenses, and every deduction will help to reduce your taxable income.

Not sure where to start? Here are 10 small business tax deductions you don't want to miss.

1. Vehicle Expenses

If you use your car for business purposes, you might be able to deduct car-related expenses such as depreciation, toll payments, insurance, parking fees, registration fees, repairs and tires.

The IRS offers two ways to do so; using the standard mileage rate or deducting your actual car expenses.

If you opt for the standard mileage rate (65.5 cents per mile for tax year 2023), you calculate your deduction based on the miles you drive for business in a given tax year. If you opt for the actual car expenses method, you skip the mileage rate and itemize your actual car expenses.

"Whether you log miles for client visits, deliveries or business errands, the standard mileage rate can add up to significant deductions," Sean Lovison, a certified financial planner, CPA and the founder of Purpose Built, said in an email.

2. Travel Expenses

Travel expenses can be deductible if the purpose of a trip involves business. For example, if you're speaking at an industry conference out of town, you may be able to write off the:

  • Cost of transportation to and from the conference.
  • Transportation fares once you're at the destination.
  • Baggage fees.
  • Meals (50%).

The amount you can deduct, however, can vary based on the type of expense you're deducting and the percentage of the trip you spend on business activities. It's also important to note that a regular commute to the office won't qualify. "Commuting expenses are not tax deductible, even for business owners," Milla Liberson, an accountant, licensed tax expert and president of OnPoint Business Solutions, said in an email.

3. Home Office Expenses

Running your business from a dedicated space in your home on a regular basis can also qualify you for a deduction .

"If you have a dedicated workspace at home, the home office deduction can be one of small businesses's most powerful tax breaks," Lovison said.

You can opt for the simplified or actual expense deduction method. The actual expense method allows you to deduct direct expenses for the business part of your home in full. Plus, you can deduct a percentage of your home's overall expenses such as rent and utilities.

The simplified method, on the other hand, is when you multiply the square footage of the area you use for business, up to 300 square feet, by $5 to get your deduction.

4. Advertising and Marketing Expenses

Customers don't typically flock to a business unless it's promoting itself. Luckily, the IRS allows you to write off the money you spend bringing in and keeping customers. That said, your expenses have to pass the ordinary and necessary test.

"Spending money to get your business out into the world is an expense for almost every business," Christian Maldonado, CEO and founder of the US-based accounting firm Finsult, said in an email.

He explained that sometimes businesses use so many forms of marketing and advertising, that some of the expenses go under the radar.

"For example, tape with your business logo, online media buying, billboards, flyers, etc.," Maldonado said.

To avoid missing deductions , keep meticulous records of all of your advertising and marketing expenses throughout the year.

5. Work-Related Education Expenses

Have you been thinking about upskilling? You can write that off, too.

The IRS allows self-employed individuals to deduct expenses for education . The key requirement? The program has to help you maintain or improve the skills you need for your present work.

"Investing in yourself is investing in your business. The cost of courses, conferences and certifications directly related to your field can often be deducted," Lovison said. Deductible expenses can also include tuition, books, supplies, travel and certain transportation costs.

6. Insurance Premiums

Business insurance is also deductible. If you have policies in place that protect your business, you can generally deduct all the premiums you pay in a given tax year.

"Insurance is your safety net, and the premiums you pay for liability, professional indemnity and other essential business insurance policies are often tax-deductible," Lovison said.

7. Business Supplies and Materials

Supplies and materials are another deductible expense. For example, you can likely write off items such as paper, light bulbs, staples, printer cartridges, trash bags and cleaning products.

The key is that the items must be inexpensive, $200 or less, or consumed within a year. The IRS categorizes items that last longer or cost more as capital assets (which can't be deducted).

You can also deduct a variety of taxes that are directly attributable to your business. For example, state income tax on your gross business income, employment taxes you pay for employees, half of the self-employment tax and real estate taxes on business property can all be deductible.

9. Legal and Professional Fees

If you hire professionals to help you with different aspects of your business, such as an accountant or lawyer, you can deduct the ordinary and necessary fees they charge.

If the professional helps you with both business and personal matters, you can deduct only the fees for services related to your business.

10. Interest on Business Loans

Have you taken out a loan and used the proceeds on business-related expenses? If so, the IRS allows you to deduct the interest you paid on the loan during a given tax year.

However, if you use a loan for both business and personal expenses, the amount of interest you can deduct will depend on the percentage of the loan you use for your business. For example, if you spent 75% of a loan on your business and 25% on personal expenses, you could deduct 75% of the interest.

To ensure you deduct all you can and avoid mistakes, consider enlisting the help of a reputable tax professional.

"Tax laws are an ever-changing maze, and a seasoned tax advisor can guide you through it. Their expertise can maximize your deductions and ensure compliance," Lovison said.

How to Find a Reputable Tax Preparer

Liz Knueven Nov. 4, 2022

Mature, senior and married couple and a finance manager looking at retirement, savings and investment paper work. Man and woman planning a budget for their future with an accountant, banker or broker

Tags: money , personal finance , taxes , tax deductions , small business

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  • Per Diem Lookup

Frequently asked questions, per diem

What is per diem?

How do I find the per diem rate for (city/county, state)?

What is the difference between non-standard areas (NSA) and standard CONUS locations?

How are the CONUS per diem rates set for NSAs?

How does GSA set boundary lines for where per diem rates apply?

How can a CONUS non-standard area (NSA) receive a special review?

How can I request the establishment of a new NSA?

What if a city is not listed on the CONUS Per Diem website?

Can hotels refuse to honor the per diem rate to federal government employees and federal government contractors?

Is the hotel’s GOV rate the same as the federal per diem rate?

Are lodging taxes included in the CONUS per diem rate?

Are taxes and gratuity (tips) included in the Meals and Incidental (M&IE) expense rate?

What is considered an incidental expense?

How often is a study conducted on the M&IE expense rates?

What is the M&IE reimbursement rate during the first and last travel day?

Can I combine the lodging and M&IE per diem rates ("mix and match") in order to get a nicer hotel room or spend more on meals?

Do I need to provide receipts?

What do I do if there are no hotels available at per diem?

Do I receive a meal reimbursement for day travel away from my regular duty station?

How much per diem can I pay a contractor?

How much can a trucker deduct for meals per day?

Per diem is an allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) establishes the per diem reimbursement rates that federal agencies use to reimburse their employees for subsistence expenses incurred while on official travel within the continental U.S. (CONUS), which includes the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) establishes rates for travel in non-foreign areas outside of CONUS, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions. The U.S. Department of State establishes rates for travel in foreign areas. For more information on rates established by DOD and the State Department visit travel.dod.mil and aoprals.state.gov .

Please visit www.gsa.gov/perdiem  to find the rates. Click on a state on the map to view that state's rates or enter the location in the search box. Even though some cities are listed for your lookup convenience, not all cities can or will be listed. To look up the county a destination is located in, visit the Census Geocoder . If neither the city nor county you are looking for is listed on the GSA per diem rate page, then the standard CONUS rate applies.

Non-standard areas (NSAs) are frequently traveled by the federal community and are reviewed on an annual basis. Standard CONUS locations are less frequently traveled by the federal community and are not specifically listed on our website.

Per diem rates are set based upon contractor-provided average daily rate (ADR) data of local lodging properties. The properties must be fire-safe and have a FEMA ID number. The ADR is a travel industry metric that divides room sales rental revenue by the number of rooms sold. All rates are evaluated to ensure that they are fair and equitable in the GSA and Office of Management and Budget approval process. For more detailed information, visit the Factors Influencing Lodging Rates page.

5 U.S.C § 5702 gives the Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) the authority to establish the system of reimbursing Federal employees for the subsistence expenses (lodging, meals, and incidentals) of official travel. The law governs how GSA sets rates today, and allows the GSA Administrator to establish locality-based allowances for these expenses with a reporting requirement back to Congress. The law was established to protect Federal employees by fairly reimbursing them for travel expenses. In addition, if a Federal employee cannot find a room within the established per diem rates, the travel policy allows the agency to reimburse the actual hotel charges up to 300 percent of the established per diem rates.

The per diem program has several standards that it follows in its systematic structured per diem methodology. The first level is having a "standard rate" that applies to approximately 85 percent of counties in the continental United States.

It is GSA's policy that, if and when a Federal agency, on behalf of its employees, requests that the standard rate is not adequate in a specific area to cover costs of travel as intended by the law, GSA will study the locality to determine whether the locality under study should become a "non-standard area." If the study recommends a change, a change will be implemented as deemed appropriate. GSA has implemented a process to review and update both the standard and non-standard areas annually.

The standard "boundary line" for where non-standard areas apply is generally one county. This is the case for approximately 85 percent of the non-standard rates that GSA sets. However, in some cases, agencies have requested that the rate apply to an area larger than one county, such as a metropolitan area. In a very small number of cases, an agency can and has requested that a rate apply to just a city and not the entire county. In some rural areas, a rate sometimes applies to more than one county due to lack of an adequate data sample to set a rate otherwise.

GSA uses the Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS) code standard for its apply areas. While GSA often uses ZIP codes to select hotel data samples, the apply area is coded by a FIPS code, unless a Federal agency only wants the rate to apply to certain ZIP codes. These codes are managed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to ensure uniform identification of geographic entities through all federal government agencies.

In order for GSA to conduct a "special" review of a non-standard area (NSA) during the current fiscal year, a Federal Agency Travel Manager or an equivalent individual in grade or title must submit a signed letter on agency letterhead or stationery stating that the present per diem rate is inadequate. The request should contain the following information:

  • The geographical areas you want us to study, especially ZIP codes.
  • The property names (including addresses, ZIP codes, and rates) where your federal travelers stay while on temporary duty travel and those properties (including addresses, ZIP codes, and rates) that will not honor the federal lodging per diem rate.
  • The number of times actual expenses were used and/or federal travelers had to use another lodging facility to stay within the maximum allowable lodging per diem rate, which resulted in additional transportation expenses (rental car, taxi) being incurred.

All valid requests postmarked no later than 12/31 will be eligible for this review. All valid requests received after 12/31, but before 4/1 will be evaluated during the following fiscal year's annual review cycle. After all the requirements are submitted, GSA will obtain updated data from our contractor to determine whether a per diem rate should be increased, decreased or remain unchanged. We will conduct no more than one "special" review for a particular NSA annually.

Letters should be sent to: General Services Administration, Office of Government-wide Policy, 1800 F St. NW., Washington, DC 20405. For more direct service, please also scan and email your request (a signed letter on agency letterhead must be attached) to [email protected] .

The procedure and the request deadline are the same as FAQ #6. However, requests received after 3/31 will not be included in the following fiscal year's annual review cycle because the annual review will have already begun.

If a city is not listed, check to ensure that the county within which it is located is also not listed. Visit the Census Geocoder to determine the county a destination is located in. If the city is not listed, but the county is, then the per diem rate is the rate for that entire county. If the city and the county are not listed, then that area receives the standard CONUS location rate.

Hotels are not required to honor the federal per diem rates. It is each property’s business decision whether or not to offer the rate. Hotels also may or may not choose to extend the rate to other individuals, such as government contractors.

Hotels sometimes offer a "GOV" rate, which might be different than the federal per diem rate. If it is higher, you need to receive approval for actual expense prior to travel in order to receive full reimbursement. It is the traveler’s responsibility to know the federal per diem reimbursement rates, and should not assume a GOV rate is the same as the federal per diem rate. See the FTR Chapter 301, Subpart D-Actual Expense and follow your agency's guidelines.

Lodging taxes are not included in the CONUS per diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulation 301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas, lodging taxes have not been removed from the foreign per diem rates established by the Department of State. Separate claims for lodging taxes incurred in foreign areas not allowed. Some states and local governments may exempt federal travelers from the payment of taxes. For more information regarding tax exempt status, travelers should visit the State Tax Forms page.

Yes, the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate does include taxes and tips in the rate, so travelers will not be reimbursed separately for those items.

The Federal Travel Regulation Chapter 300, Part 300-3 , under Per Diem Allowance, describes incidental expenses as: Fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers, hotel staff, and staff on ships.

An M&IE study has traditionally been conducted every three to five years. Based upon the recommendations of the Governmentwide Travel Advisory Committee, GSA began reviewing rates every three years starting with rates for FY 2016.

On the first and last travel day, Federal employees are only eligible for 75 percent of the total M&IE rate for their temporary duty travel location (not the official duty station location). For your convenience, the M&IE breakdown page has a table showing the calculated amount for the "First and Last Day of Travel."

For federal employees, the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) does not make a provision for "mixing and matching" reimbursement rates. The lodging per diem rates are a maximum amount; the traveler only receives actual lodging costs up to that maximum rate. Therefore, there is no "extra" lodging per diem to add to the M&IE rate. Likewise, the M&IE per diem cannot be given up or transferred to lodging costs. See FTR 301-11.100 and 301-11.101 for more information.

For any official temporary travel destination, you must provide a receipt to substantiate your claimed travel expenses for lodging and receipts for any authorized expenses incurred costing over $75, or a reason acceptable to your agency explaining why you are unable to provide the necessary receipt (see Federal Travel Regulation 301-11.25 ).

You may ask your agency to authorize the actual expense allowance provision. The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 301-11.300 through 306 notes that if lodging is not available at your temporary duty location, your agency may authorize or approve the maximum per diem rate of up to 300% of per diem for the location where lodging is obtained. You should also ensure you have checked www.fedrooms.com to confirm there are no rooms available at per diem in the area where you need to travel.

According to the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), travelers are entitled to 75% of the prescribed meals and incidental expenses for one day travel away from your official station if it is longer than 12 hours. Please see FTR 301-11.101 .

GSA establishes per diem rates and related policies for federal travelers on official travel only, and cannot address specific inquiries concerning the payment of contractors. If the contractor is on a federal contract, check with the contracting officer to see what is stated in their contract. Contractors should also check the travel regulations of their company.

GSA establishes per diem rates, along with its policies for federal employees on official travel only. Truck-related questions should be addressed either to the Department of Transportation ( www.dot.gov ) or the Internal Revenue Service ( www.irs.gov ).

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

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Aspen Has 153 New Acres of Terrain. Cue the Champagne.

This Colorado enclave draws both die-hard snow lovers and those who don’t even dream of skiing, be they museum-goers, gourmands or influencers.

A man in a brown jacket and orange pants skis down a snowy trail with evergreen trees behind him and a second skier in the background.

By Amy Virshup

Amy Virshup is the Times Travel editor and a skiing enthusiast.

The influencers were not in Aspen to ski. In their Barbie-pink ski suits and matching Moon Boots, they rode the Silver Queen gondola to the top of the mountain, smiling and jumping for their cameras and social media feeds. Soon they would get back on the gondola and ride down, perhaps to pose for more content with a glass of Champagne at Ajax Tavern at the resort base.

They did not care that after almost two weeks without snow in what was already a below-average year, a storm had finally come through, replenishing the mountain’s steep slopes and giving skied-out bump runs new life.

But the rest of us did.

I had come to Aspen in early February to ski Aspen Mountain’s newest terrain, an area called Hero’s that, as you look uphill, sits on the mountain’s left shoulder and offers 153 new acres of skiing, most of it rated double-black diamond. It is the first big development on the mountain since the Silver Queen gondola opened in 1986.

“There are not new ski resorts being built in North America,” said Geoff Buchheister, the chief executive of Aspen Skiing Company, over lunch at the Sundeck near the top of the mountain. “You have to innovate.”

First the snow had to fall, though. When I had skied the area with Mr. Buchheister and a group of Ski Co. execs a few days before, conditions had been, well, “sketchy.” The snow was hard and slick as we made our way through the trees to a steep, mogul-covered slope called Loushin’s that tested my resolve, and the newly sharpened edges of my skis.

But now, those hard, skied-off bumps were pillowy and the glades at the bottom offered a chance to dance through the trees. My companion and I did a few laps, skiing the Powerline chute and one called Here’s To …, both of which led to a series of glades, then hit Walsh’s, a more wide-open slope. We pretty much had the slopes to ourselves.

From Pandora’s to Hero’s

The expansion has been a long time coming. “When we moved here 18 years ago, they were already talking about putting in a lift,” said Pete Louras, 74, who retired to Aspen with his wife, Sam, 72, in 2005 and is a 100-days-a-year skier. This past summer, they watched from their living room as helicopters put pieces of the chairlift in place.

For decades the area had been accessible only through a backcountry gate. As far back as the 1980s, some ski patrollers were suggesting turning it into inbounds terrain, referring to it as Pandora’s, for the mythic woman who unleashed the evils of the world. The resort first put it in its 1997 master plan under that name.

Some local skiers objected, saying the area would change if it were opened as inbounds skiing. (“It has,” Mr. Buchheister said, adding that there were more people skiing it and that moguls built up faster.) There were also ownership issues, as the resort sits on a patchwork of White River National Forest, private land and mining claims. Environmental impact studies were needed.

Finally, in 2021, the expansion was approved and work began on what was still called Pandora’s: A road and trails were cut, power was brought in and the woods were thinned to create those glades.

Mr. Buchheister moved to Aspen in March of last year, lured in large part by the idea of working with James Crown, the chief executive of Henry Crown & Company, which owns, among other things, Aspen Snowmass and Alterra Mountain Company , the ski resort conglomerate and purveyor of the multimountain IKON pass . “He was a really compelling mentor,” Mr. Buchheister said.

Then, on June 25, his 70th birthday, Mr. Crown died in a crash at the Aspen Motorsports Park racetrack in nearby Woody Creek, stunning the Ski Co. and the local community.

Against that backdrop, Pandora’s became Hero’s and the slopes have been named for locals like the ski patrollers Cory Brettman, who died in an avalanche in the area , and Tim Howe, who was known as “El Avalanchero.”

The slope under the new lift is named Jim’s, for Mr. Crown.

Good, hard skiing and lots of partying

Tucked at the end of the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen Snowmass is far enough away from major cities to not draw big weekend crowds. It accepts the IKON pass, but limits the number of days for many passholders and requires reservations. It can also be dizzyingly expensive to stay and dine in town. One night at dinner, my mediocre pork belly tacos were $38.

The resort is unusual in that it comprises four separate mountains with distinct personalities. Friendly Buttermilk has nothing but beginner slopes and terrain parks. The bruiser, Snowmass, where 40 percent of visitors ski, sprawls across 3,300 acres, with a mix of slopes and open terrain, appealing to all levels of skiers. Much smaller, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain , both with a kind of throwback simplicity, have only intermediate and expert runs.

When asked what makes Aspen different, Mr. Buchheister said, “Aspen is an experience that’s quality based. We capture the essence of skiing.”

Especially when skiing Aspen and Aspen Highlands, that feels true. There are no fancy new lifts or glitzy base lodges, just good, hard skiing.

But equally true is that, as the influencers made clear, many people come to Aspen with no intention of skiing. And why not? There’s the Aspen Art Museum with its new building by the star Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. There are stores from Gucci, Valentino, Prada and more. There’s the brainy Aspen Institute with its Bauhaus campus (and quite a good new restaurant, West End Social , at the Aspen Meadows resort). There is Veuve Clicquot Champagne at seemingly every turn, including bottles on ice in mid-mountain restaurants.

In fact, local legend has it that Cloud Nine, a seemingly unassuming restaurant on the slopes of Aspen Highlands, sells more of the stuff than any other outlet in the world, though much of it is said to be sprayed on patrons at the restaurant’s 1:30 p.m. seating, not sipped. People told me of sybaritic partying, with women taking off their layers of ski clothing and dancing in their sports bras.

I had discounted this tale until, toward the end of a snowy day at Aspen Highlands, we came upon the modest wood cabin that houses Cloud Nine. A dance remix of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” was pumping at a volume that seemed to make the whole place shake. Gliding by, I turned and looked in one of the restaurant’s picture windows, to see a woman in a black sports bra and ski pants gyrating on a table.

A hedge against global warming?

Though it was not originally planned with climate change in mind, Hero’s has the advantage of sitting high up on the mountain and facing north, which, Mr. Buchheister said, should help mitigate the effects of global warming, because both the altitude and the aspect mean snow will stay in place longer.

That could be a significant advantage, as climate change threatens the future of the snow sports industry. Auden Schendler, the chief of sustainability for Aspen One, the parent company of the Ski Co., said the area has lost 30 days of winter since 1980. “Spring runoff happens earlier and it happens quicker,” he said.

Mr. Schendler now rejects much of corporate environmentalism as “complicity.”

“If you made a list of all the practices of businesses trying to be sustainable, they would be the things that the fossil fuel industry would do to look like they were acting on climate change, but not disrupting the status quo,” he said.

Making that argument from a luxury ski resort where many visitors fly in on private planes, is an irony not lost on Mr. Schendler, who said that the way to cut down on private flights would be to charge a carbon tax at the airport — something he has asked the F.A.A. for permission to do. But in the meantime, “Aspen’s power is the media play. We have wealthy and influential guests who are really into skiing and the outdoors.”

Packed and loud

One afternoon, as the ski day ended, we joined the river of people coming down Little Nell toward the bottom of the gondola, and took off our skis to the thunka-thunka beat of dance music from the patio at Ajax Tavern.

Eric Adler, 39, a restaurateur from La Jolla, Calif., and his wife, Gretchen Adler, 37, a content creator, have been coming to Aspen since 2010 and now bring their three children to ski there once or twice a year. Compared with Aspen, other ski resorts “feel like Disneyland,” Mr. Adler said, with everything built and controlled by the mountain’s developer. Aspen, he said, is “a more authentic experience, the people are real.”

In search of that authenticity, we made our way to Buck, a tiny subterranean bar on nearby Cooper Avenue, where people leave their ski gear at the top of the stairs before descending. When we’d stopped by on a previous night, we’d been warned away by a man coming up the stairs. “It’s packed and loud,” he said.

But sometimes, after a day of skiing, packed and loud is what you want. There was craft beer and an excellent margarita and on all eight televisions around the room a Phish concert was playing, which felt ski-town appropriate. And everyone kept their shirts on.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

U.S. warns tourists ‘do not travel’ to this Caribbean destination due to kidnappings and gang violence

  • Updated: Mar. 14, 2024, 1:51 p.m. |
  • Published: Mar. 14, 2024, 1:05 p.m.

U.S. Department of State Haiti Travel Advisory 2024

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, urging U.S. citizens not to travel to the island country as it is overwhelmed by political unrest, increased gang activity, violent crime, kidnapping and poor health care infrastructure. Canva

  • Katherine Rodriguez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The U.S. government has issued another travel advisory ahead of spring break .

The U.S. Department of State released a formal warning not to travel to Haiti and urged American citizens there now to leave immediately due to the rise in gang violence, crime, political unrest, kidnapping and poor health care infrastructure.

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