If you are considering becoming a travel agent or exploring whether a travel franchise is the right move, one of the most common questions you’ll ask is how do travel agents actually find clients?

It’s a fair question. After all, without customers, there is no business. The good news is that successful travel agents don’t rely on luck or cold selling. They build their client base through trust, visibility and consistency, often supported by the structure of a travel agency franchise.

This guide explains how travel agents find clients, how that process evolves over time, and why many agents thrive long term in the travel industry.

Starting With People You Already Know

For many travel agents, the first clients come from their existing network. Friends, family, colleagues and social contacts often form the foundation of an early client base.

People naturally trust recommendations from someone they know, especially when it comes to something as personal as travel. When someone anno...

If you’re considering a career in travel, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is:

“How does a travel agent get paid – and how much could I actually earn?”

It’s a fair question, and one we hear all the time from people exploring the idea of joining a travel agency franchise or stepping away from a traditional high street role.

The short answer? Travel agents can earn very well, but how much you make depends on how you choose to work, the support you have around you, and how far you want to take it.

Let’s break it down properly.

How Does a Travel Agent Get Paid?

Most travel agents earn money through commission paid by travel suppliers. These suppliers include tour operators, cruise lines, hotels, villa providers and airline consolidators.

When an agent books a holiday for a client, the supplier pays a percentage of that booking value once the customer has travelled. Importantly, the client doesn’t pay extra for using a travel agent, commission is built into the price...

The travel industry has never been louder. Social feeds are crowded, attention spans are short, and safe marketing simply does not cut through anymore. That is exactly why our latest campaign, F*ck It, Book It, exists.

This campaign is not about shock for the sake of it. It is about tapping into real consumer behaviour, leaning into a major TikTok trend, and giving people permission to stop overthinking and just book the holiday.

For anyone considering a travel franchise, or already working as a homeworking travel agent, this is a clear example of the kind of marketing support that genuinely moves the needle.

Social First Marketing Built for Today’s Travel Agent Franchise

Traditional marketing still has its place, but modern travel sales are increasingly driven by social media. TikTok in particular has become one of the most influential platforms for travel inspiration, decision making, and impulse booking.

The F*ck It, Book It campaign was built specifically for this environmen...

When people start exploring franchise opportunities, the focus is often on the obvious factors. Fees. Commission splits. Earning potential.

While these are important considerations, they are rarely what determines long term success.

At The Good Travel Agent, we believe one factor outweighs all others community.

The reality of running your own franchise

Running your own business brings freedom, flexibility and opportunity. It can also bring moments of isolation.

Questions arise daily. Confidence can dip. Motivation naturally fluctuates. Without the right people around you, progress can feel slower and decisions heavier.

This is where the right franchise community makes a measurable difference.

Community is not a bonus it is a business advantage

A strong franchise community gives you access to people who truly understand your role. People who have already faced the challenges you are dealing with right now and are willing to share their experience openly.

This shared knowledge...

How Does a Travel Franchise Work A Simple Guide

If you are thinking about starting your own travel business, you may already have come across the idea of a travel franchise. It is a simple and trusted way to launch a travel agency without having to build everything from the ground up. At The Good Travel Agent we believe in making travel entrepreneurship accessible, rewarding and meaningful. So here is a clear explanation of how a travel franchise works and whether it might be right for you.

What Is a Travel Franchise

A travel franchise allows you to run your own travel agency while using the brand, systems and support of a franchisor. Instead of creating your own technology, supplier partnerships, marketing strategy and training programme, you join a business that already has all of this in place. That means you can focus on helping people book incredible holidays rather than spending months building infrastructure.

How a Travel Franchise Works

First you join the franchise by payi...

Absolutely Yes Here’s the Proof

One of the biggest questions people ask when they think about becoming a travel agent is
“Do you actually get to travel”

At The Good Travel Agent the answer is a very confident YES.

And if you need evidence Jake has just returned from an unforgettable FAM trip to Mexico courtesy of the incredible team at Grand Palladium Hotels. From the moment he touched down it was sun sandy beaches stunning properties and a whole lot of inspiration.

What is a FAM Trip and Why Does It Matter

A FAM trip short for familiarisation trip is one of the most exciting perks of being a travel agent. It is an opportunity for agents to visit destinations and experience resorts first hand exactly as a customer would.

These trips are not just fun they are powerful They help our agents

• Understand destinations on a deeper level

• Build confidence when recommending hotels and experiences

• Create authentic excitement when talking to customers

• Capture real conten

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A Behind the Scenes Look at Our Peaks Bootcamp with MSC

If you're researching what makes a great travel franchise, you’ll quickly discover that the best travel franchises go far beyond offering a name, a logo, and a login. A truly great travel franchise empowers its franchisees with exceptional training, ongoing support, community, and opportunities to grow a profitable travel business with confidence.

At The Good Travel Agent, we believe in showing, not just telling, what makes a travel franchise stand out. And there was no better example than our recent Peaks Bootcamp, hosted onboard the beautiful MSC Poesia, where 25 of our incredible franchise owners joined us for a day of learning, exploring, and preparing for the biggest sales period of the year.

Here’s how the experience highlights exactly what you should look for when choosing a great travel franchise.

1. Industry Leading Training That Builds Real Confidence

One of the biggest indicators of a great travel franchise is t...

If you have ever dreamt of running your own travel business, helping others see the world while building a life you love, there has never been a better time to get started.

At The Good Travel Agent, we are seeing more people than ever take the leap and join our growing network of independent travel agents. The travel industry is thriving, customer confidence is stronger than ever, and those who start now will be perfectly placed to take full advantage of the next peaks booking season.

Here is why now really is the time.

Travel Demand Is Stronger Than Ever

People are not just travelling again; they are prioritising travel as one of their biggest lifestyle choices. After years of uncertainty, travellers are planning more meaningful holidays, booking further in advance, and spending more on experiences that matter to them. Families, couples, solo travellers and groups all share one thing in common: they are ready to see more of the world.

This rising demand means there is huge oppo...

At The Good Travel Agent, success doesn’t go unnoticed. Each year, we celebrate our highest-performing travel agents with unforgettable reward trips designed to combine luxury escapes, business growth, and unique experiences.

This year, our Top Sellers’ Trip took us to the sun-soaked Costa del Sol, with two nights in glamorous Marbella followed by one night in vibrant Benalmádena. From 5 star hotels and beach clubs to sustainability projects and hands-on training, this was more than just a getaway. It was a glimpse into the lifestyle that comes with running a thriving travel agent franchise.

A Stylish Start in Marbella

Our adventure began at the prestigious Kimpton Los Monteros, a five-star luxury resort in Marbella. Known for its elegant design, exceptional service, and unbeatable location, it was the perfect place to kick off our trip.

Our agents were treated to beautiful suites with a touch of Mediterranean charm, fine dining experiences to celebrate their achievements, and th...

If you’ve been searching for travel franchise opportunities in the UK, here’s your chance to find out more in person. The Good Travel Agent will be at The National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October 2025, and we’d love to meet you there.

Whether you’re looking to change career, be your own boss, or simply learn more about how to start a travel franchise in the UK, this is the perfect event to explore your options and ask us anything.

Why visit The National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham 2025?

The National Franchise Exhibition Birmingham 2025 is one of the UK’s leading franchise events, attracting thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs every year. Across the weekend, you’ll be able to:

• Meet a wide range of UK franchise brands across multiple industries

• Attend free talks and workshops designed to help you understand franchising, funding, and growth

• Get one-to-one advice from industry experts on starting and running a fra

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