{"id":7273,"date":"2025-07-17T13:54:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mintformations.co.uk\/blog\/?page_id=7273"},"modified":"2025-07-17T13:55:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:55:28","slug":"how-to-start-travel-agency","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mintformations.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-start-travel-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Travel Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you obsessed with travel? Do family and friends ask for your travel advice and recommendations? If you are looking at a career path in the travel industry, starting your own travel agency business is a rewarding vocation that can bring good income and flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While COVID-19 has brought the momentum of the travel industry to a halt, It\u2019s worth remembering that even with the current challenges, the sector was breaking records just over a year ago. It is safe to say that travel is one of the world\u2019s most irrepressible industries and even though it is not clear when people will be able to travel as they once did, we know that it is only a matter of time. There are around 241 thousand businesses in the UK travel industry <\/a>, and for those travel agents that can adapt to the industry trends, things are definitely looking up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering how to start a travel agency? Find out what skills you need, the important considerations to keep in mind and how to legally establish your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does a Travel Agency Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It isn’t always clear what tour operators and travel agencies do. Basically, one organises the holiday and the other sells it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main focus of a tour operator is to deal with the operational side of the holiday. This involves bringing each element of the holiday (travel, accommodation and tours) into one package. However, there are also tour operators that act as middlemen by selling holidays to travel agencies while also dealing with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A travel agency should take the client\u2019s requirements into account when selling and administering packages. Being independent and impartial, the agents themselves will get in touch with a range of tour operators to secure the best possible deal for their client, taking into account the cost and the total holiday experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the agent\u2019s job is also to sell the different elements that make up a holiday, including hotel rooms, flights and entry to attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Type of Travel Agency Should You Start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few options to help ensure that your travel agency will be a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Independent Travel Agency<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 If you decide to start up an independent travel agency, you will have complete control of the day-to-day operations. All decisions on staffing, branding and clients, will also be yours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Travel Consortium<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 This is a group of independent agencies and travel agents that work together because they realise they have more power collectively to negotiate, purchase and take commissions for their clients. A larger group can better negotiate upgrades, extra facilities and special offers, which the independent traveller may struggle to get.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Work from Home<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 If you are the sort of person who likes the flexibility and independence of working from home,\u00a0Travel Counsellors\u00a0<\/a>,\u00a0Holiday Franchise Companies\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0InteleTravel\u00a0<\/a>are the types of companies that would suit how you want to work. These companies can offer you the support and the tools that working from home requires.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How to Start a Travel Agency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to create a travel agency, you\u2019ll need to create a solid business plan. A unique plan and niche will enable you to stand out from the crowd amongst the many different branches of the travel industry. With a clear business plan, concentrating on your established goals, you can focus on progressing towards your target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are several aspects to consider when writing your business plan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n