Ever dreamed of turning your passion for travel into a career? By becoming a travel agent you can book unforgettable vacations for clients, grow a business, and even travel more. There are many benefits to becoming a travel agent. As a travel agent you have the flexibility to work remotely and make your own hours. As a homeschooling mom of three, this business has helped me bring in an extra income while still being present with my family.
In this blog post I am going to dive into the 8 easy steps on how to become a travel agent. Whether you are a beginner travel agent or looking to get started, this guide will help you get a good start to your new business. Plus, we’ll show you how to get started with InteleTravel, one of the leading host agencies for new agents. The best thing is that no experience is required to get started! Let’s dive in to the 8 easy steps to getting started as a travel agent.
Step 1: Define Your “Why” and Choose a Niche
The first two steps to getting started is defining your “Why” and niching down. This will help you get the drive you need for your business as well as targeting the right audience for the types of trips you want to book. Let’s dive deeper into the two!
Defining Your “Why”
First you need to define your “Why!” This is what drives your passion to succeed in this business. Dive deep into the different reasons why you want this business to be achievable for you and why that “Why” matters so much for you. It’s like my director Hillary says, “If your “WHY” doesn’t make you cry, then your “WHY” is not strong enough!” So dive deep into it.
Choose a Niche
Next you want to choose a niche to get started. You can do quiet a bit with travel but I would recommend niching down to your top three. Here’s some niche ideas:
- Disney and theme parks
- Family Travel
- Luxury Travel
- Adventure Travel
- Cruises
- Honeymoons and Couples Getaways
- All-Inclusives
- Adult-Only Travel or Solo Travel
For instance, on my travel agency at Adventure Bucket List Travel, I focus on family-travel, parent/couples getaways, and Disney. Disney and family-travel is my main niche but let’s face it, parents need a getaway too.
Choosing a niche will shape your branding, content, and client experience from the start.
Step 2: Decide Between Going Independent or Joining a Host Agency
So when you are deciding on the route you want to take when becoming a travel agent there are two different options to go with. The first option is by starting your very own, fully independent travel agency. While being able to keep all of your commissions, you do have a much higher startup cost and I will break that down more below. The second option is joining a host agency. It is very important to do some research and make sure you join a host agency that pays a good commission and has low fees but also has many partners and booking options. I’ll explain all of the details below for this as well to help you further understand the two options.
Option 1: Going Independent
What it means:
Being an independent travel agent means that you operate as a fully independent travel agency, handling everything from legal setup and accreditation to building supplier relationships. You are building a travel agency from the ground up. This also means setting up partnerships with other booking partners, trainings, paying for E&O insurance, LLC, and so much more. All in all, it can easily cost you thousands to get it started depending if you want to work remotely or work from an office building type workplace.
Pros:
- Full control over your business model, branding, and commission structure.
- You can apply for your own travel credentials like IATA, CLIA, or ARC.
- You keep 100% of your commissions.
Cons:
- Higher startup costs. You’ll need to pay for your own credentials, insurance, technology systems, marketing tools, and much more. Also keep in mind that your commission will go towards this cost so that 100% will go down to cover all of your business expenses.
- No built-in support. You’ll have to manage supplier contracts, training, and education on your own.
- Time-consuming. Takes longer to get up and running, especially if you’re new to the industry.
Who it’s best for:
Experienced travel professionals who want to build a full-scale agency and have the time and resources to manage operations solo.
Option 2: Joining a Host Agency
What it means:
Joining a host agency means that you get to operate as an independent travel agent under a larger umbrella agency (the host). They provide the tools, training, credentials, and support to help you sell travel from day one. Think of the host agency as the middle man giving you all of the tools that you need for success in your business without the extra upfront cost.
Pros:
- Low startup cost. Most host agencies charge a small enrollment fee and low monthly dues.
- Access to travel credentials. You’ll use the host’s IATA, CLIA, or ARC numbers—no need to get your own.
- Built-in training. Most offer ongoing education, certification programs, and supplier webinars.
- Supplier access. You’ll be able to book with hundreds of travel vendors right away. No need to work out contracts with each travel vendor.
- Marketing tools included. Some offer websites, email templates, additional trainings, marketing materials, lead generation help, and more.
- Commission split. Most offer 70%–80% commissions (some go higher as you grow).
Note: I wouldn’t recommend going with a company that pays less then 70%-80% in commissions.
Cons:
- You split a portion of your commission with the host agency.
- Less autonomy in how you structure the backend of your business (depending on the host).
Who it’s best for:
Beginners, part-time agents, or anyone looking to start a travel business quickly and with ongoing support.
Why a Host Agency Is Ideal for Beginners
Starting independently means building all systems yourself, from legal setup to supplier contracts. For new agents, a host agency offers lower startup costs, mentorship, and proven tools.
We recommend going with InteleTravel, which we’ll cover in more detail later in this guide.
Step 3: Complete Travel Agent Training and Certifications
Whether you signup with a host agency or start your own agency it is important to get some training and certifications under your belt.
Industry Training Options
Although a license is not required in most states, completing basic training and certifications will set you up for success. Look into:
- CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)
- The Travel Institute
- IATA and ARC (optional for independent agents)
Supplier and Destination Certifications
Suppliers like Disney, Universal, Sandals, and many cruise lines and hotel chains offer free training programs. These not only deepen your product knowledge but can unlock perks like bonus commissions and travel agent discounts.
You can also do destination trainings to become a certified destination specialist. Most of these trainings are done directly through the travel agent portal with the tourism board of that destination. This is a great way to learn more about the destinations that you have yet to visit and feel more confident with booking them.
Florida Seller of Travel License
In the state of Florida, and I speak of Florida because I reside here, there is a required license that you need to obtain on top of the other expenses. You need to be a registered travel agent and obtain a Florida Seller of Travel to promote and sell travel in the state of Florida and to sell to Florida residents. The license restrictions depend on the agency as well so make sure you understand what the restrictions are according to your host agency and type of license.
Step 4: Register Your Business and Set Up the Essentials
After you have started your business it is important to set everything correctly. There are many aspects that go into this part from legal, financial, and even the overall branding to your business. Let me go more into detail about each of these parts to help you further understand.
Legal and Financial Setup
Start with choosing a business name for your travel agency and registering it legally in your state (if needed). You may also want to:
- Create an LLC – optional but helpful for liability.
- Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) – This is also optional but good to have
- Open a business bank account – It helps keep your business finances separate from your personal finances. This also helps tremendously when it comes time to do your taxes and you need to go through receipts, expenses, and other things.
Branding Basics
The branding of your business really helps it stand out and look more professional. It is important to have a good brand in place to help you stand out from the rest. Here are some ways that you can establish your digital presence:
- A professional email address – You can even just have a Gmail with your business name to start off with until you can pay for an email with your business name as a domain. For instance [email protected] versus [email protected]
- Business logo and branding – This part is so important. This is the visual aspect of your brand. I would recommend starting off with a logo, several colors that you feel flow well together, and 3 fonts (a header font, sub-header font, and paragraph font).
- Social media accounts – Next is setting up your social media accounts. I feel like Facebook and Pinterest work well for me but many other travel agents also use Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Lemon 8.
- A CRM (customer relationship management system) for tracking clients and bookings – While this is an investment and usually comes with a monthly cost, me investing in a CRM has been a huge difference for me. It looks more professional, makes the process smoother for both the client and I, and keeps everything in one place. However, before I started using a CRM I was using Trello and adding reminders that way. Trello is more for you as an agent to use and keep up with everything. You can also use a spreadsheet or other methods that work for you as you are getting started but as you grow I do believe it’s a good investment for your business. If you can do it from the start, I would! I’ll dive deeper into the CRM that I use further on.
Some host agencies, including InteleTravel, offer starter websites and marketing templates as well. Some even have their own CRM.
Step 5: Learn the Tools of the Trade
Before even starting to promote your business, I highly recommend testing out the tools you have. You want to familiarize yourself with the different booking systems and portals and really understand the different software that there are. I know it sounds complicated but once you get the hang of everything, the booking process with clients will feel so much easier and less stressful.
Booking Systems and Supplier Portals
Get comfortable using supplier booking engines, quote request forms, and travel insurance platforms. These are essential to making reservations and managing client trips. You want to feel comfortable with these as these are the main things you will use to quote and book the trips for your clients.
Travel Agent Software
Look into CRMs, e-signature tools, Google Workspace, and design platforms like Canva. Your host agency may provide access to tools or recommend best practices.
For my business I use Google Workspace, Zoom, TravelJoy, and Canva the most but everyone agent works their business differently.
InteleTravel includes a comprehensive back-office system to simplify booking, payments, and training. They also supply the required legal forms needed for clients to sign off on as well as travel insurance options.
Step 6: Start Promoting Your Travel Business
At this point of your business you are finally able to promote it online and to everyone you know! How exciting! One thing that I always tell my team is to be consistent in their business. Don’t post once a week and expect to get clients. You have to work your business every single day or schedule things ahead of time. Show up!
Build an Online Presence
There are many ways to build your online presence. Here are some ways that you can promote your services online:
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok…)
- Word-of-mouth and referrals
- A blog or website to build SEO traffic and the trust-factor with your clients
- Email list
- Vendor or Wedding Events
Content Ideas to Get Started
If you are looking to build up your social media and attract new clients here are some good content ideas to use.
- Share travel tips and destination guides
- Highlight current promotions and deals
- Post about your own travel experiences
- Post about a training that you did and what you learned
- Share travel updates and travel news (ex: When to have a Real ID and how to get one)
- Sharing about a trip you just booked for a client
- Sharing a client testimonial and about their trip
- Do a travel related giveaway to attract more followers and potential clients
- Create a referral program for friends and family
Tip: Consistency is key! Be present every single day and show up! Be genuine, inspire your audience, and show your knowledge about the different travel options and your clients will come to you!
Step 7: Join Travel Agent Communities and Stay Educated
Having a community of like-minded people is amazing. I can’t speak of other host agencies, but I can speak from my own experience. My team is so amazing and supportive. We talk with each other, answer questions, help each other out, and even celebrate each other’s wins. Having that kind of support makes a world of a difference when building your business.
Why Community Matters
There are many other communities out there that you can join as well specific for travel agents. Joining communities can help provide support, mentorship, and access to insider tips. Here are some places that you can find these types of travel agent communities in:
- Facebook groups for travel agents – Some travel partners have Facebook groups specific for their travel agents where they share help, tips, and even updates and offers for you to share with your clients. You can also find some travel agent groups created by other top travel agents who share tips and advice in the travel agent business.
- Industry webinars and vendor trainings – There are several places you can join webinars at or even attend vendor trainings specific to that travel partner. Some host agencies even put together some trainings online or in-person for their agents to attend. See if there’s any close to you.
- Local or virtual networking events – Some Just like training events, you can also find networking events. Look for places that are doing travel related events and take advantage of that to build connections with others.
- FAM (Familiarization) Trips – Many travel partners or tourism boards for top travel destinations will put together what is called a FAM Trip. This is where you go on a trip to that resort or destination to familiarize yourself with that resort or destination. Usually multiple travel agents attend these and it is a great way to meet others and build connections with other agents.
- Travel Agent Retreats – Some companies or even top travel agents will put together a travel agent retreat specific for travel agents where you can do trainings, do resort tours, check out theme parks, the destination, and meet other travel agents.
If you join a host agency like InteleTravel, you’ll be connected with a larger team for built-in support and education. This itself is huge! I absolutely love our team and how supportive everyone is. Always good vibes and support! I’ll share more below about our team and how you can join!
Step 8: Focus on Client Service and Long-Term Growth
As you are building your travel agent business, your main goal should be to focus on client service and long-term growth. You want to really practice how to work with your clients and perfect your system in place for booking trips for them. For a few months you will be tweaking things and learning how to perfect it for a seamless process.
In your marketing you also want to focus on long-term growth. You don’t want just followers but you want to have a targeted audience. You want to make sure that the followers that you have will be long-term business for you so focus your attention on your marketing strategies.
Let’s dive deeper into these two focuses for your travel agent business.
Building Trust with Clients
Client experience is everything! Prioritize communication, accuracy, and personal touches throughout the planning process. One thing that I tell my team is to always do a consultation call with their clients and ask all of the questions that you can during that consultation call. Then send them a recap of the conversation via email for them to read and approve. Once you have those quotes for them, send them to them and try to jump on another call with them. This helps them learn who you are, builds trust with your client, and shows the client that you really care about them.
After their trip don’t be afraid to ask happy clients for testimonials, reviews, and referrals. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to grow your business and bring in new clients without extra effort on your part.
Staying Consistent
I mentioned this before but consistency is key! I can’t stress that part enough! Keep learning, marketing, and serving your clients well. This industry rewards consistency and passion over time. Don’t expect your business to grow when you only show up for your business once a week or once every month. You need to show up consistently to build that authority, knowledge, and attract new clients.
Also keep learning new things but also apply the things you learn. I see many travel agents dive into learning but don’t share what they learn or apply it to their booking process. Keep utilizing the tools and knowledge that you have to further expand and grow your travel agent business!
How to Join and Become a New Travel Agent
Now that you have made the decision on becoming a new travel agent, you’re probably wondering how you can get started and how you can join such an amazing and supportive team! Let me help you!
First of all, Hi! I’m Jessica Tejera and if you choose to start your travel agent business with me, I will be your team leader! I aim to provide the best support I can to my team members, not just in the beginning of their travel agent business, but the entire time! My team and I also fall under one of the most amazing and supportive directors who loves this team as much as I do. I think that having that community is so important. Plus, we have fun with it and even celebrate our wins together too!
Why Choose InteleTravel?
InteleTravel has been in the travel industry for 25+ years and continues to hold a A+ rating on BBB. They offer one of the highest paying commission host agencies in the travel agency industry. InteleTravel also provides on-going webinars and trainings to help you continue to learn and grow as well as in-person events where you can meet more like-minded travel agents and entrepreneurs.
InteleTravel is one of the most established host agencies in the U.S., perfect for beginners and part-time agents but works well also for full-time travel agents too! They also provides their travel agents with a back office to process their client bookings, access to other resources, official documents to help you run your business professionally and legally, and much more.
They are also contracted with an extensive list of preferred travel vendors that they are partnered with allowing you to plan a well-rounded vacation for your clients. I’m talking about 250+ travel partners for you to choose from to plan the perfect and most unforgettable vacation for your clients!
When you join, you gain access to:
- Full training library and live webinars
- Training Events online and in-person
- Booking systems and an extensive list of travel partners
- 70%–80% commission on booked travel
- Business and marketing support
- Payroll and Customer Service Support
- Legal documents and certifications needed to run your business (IATA, CLIA, etc…)
- Travel insurance is included (E&O insurance)
- and so much more…
What are the Costs of Becoming a Travel Agent? And What Does It Cover?
To get started there is a $179.95 start up fee for InteleTravel. It covers your set up fees for your back office & website as well as all of your on-boarding training to help you set up of your new business!
There is also an on-going $39.95 InteleTravel monthly fee which starts on month two – exactly 30 days after the day you sign up (but this can also be changed if you’d like). This monthly fee covers the ongoing business expenses like our continued vendor education trainings, webinars, and vendor access, customer support team, payroll department, IT team, Lawyers for new vendors & commission negotiations, and most importantly the E&O insurance.
How to Get Started as a Travel Agent
- Click the link here
- Go to Your Products and click Learn More
- Click Purchase Now
- Click Purchase Now again
- Fill out the form and click Submit
After Signing Up to be a Travel Agent
Once you’ve signed up please send me an email to [email protected] with the information below. Once I receive your email I will send you your full welcome packet to help you get started along with my personal info so we can stay in touch along the way.
- Full Name
- Your personal Facebook Link – it makes communicating with my team members so much easier and faster.
- And if you signed up as just a travel agent or a sponsor as well.
Note: There is a second business option that is separate from being a travel agent where you can build a team but this completely optional. I personally don’t recommend signing up for this business until you feel more confident as a travel agent. I dive deeper into both business options on this post.
Not Ready to Be a Travel Agent? Have Additional Questions?
I totally understand if you have questions. It is a big decision to make when it comes to starting a new business. You can send me an email at [email protected] or via Facebook with all of your questions and so we can chat more about the business. Facebook messenger would be the fastest way of reaching me. It doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m here to be as transparent as possible with you about the business and how it works. We can also schedule a phone call or one on one if that is easier for you too.
Conclusion
Starting your journey as a travel agent can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps and the right support system, it becomes a manageable and exciting career path. By choosing a niche, partnering with a trusted host agency like InteleTravel, and learning the tools of the trade, you’ll be well on your way to building a flexible and fulfilling travel business.