Travel Franchise Insights: Expert Tips for Starting Your Travel Business

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a travel agent, you’ve probably had one big doubt:

“I’ve got the skills… but I’ve never worked in travel. Does that mean I can’t do it?” 🤔

It’s a common barrier for people exploring a career in travel or thinking about joining a travel agent franchise.

The reality is simple:
You don’t need previous travel industry experience to become a travel agent — especially if you join a travel franchise.

What matters far more is your mindset, transferable skills, and the right support around you.

I Have the Skills, Just Not the Travel Experience — Is That Enough?

If you’ve worked in sales, customer service, management, marketing, or any people-focused role, you already have many of the skills needed to succeed as a travel agent.

Think about what you already bring:

• Confidence speaking to customers

• Ability to build relationships and trust

• Organisation and attention to detail

• Sales or negotiation skills

• Motivation to grow a

  ...

If you have ever wondered whether being a travel agent is profitable, you are not alone. With the rise of online booking platforms and changing travel habits, many people assume the role of a travel agent is declining. In reality, the opposite is true.

Today, travel agents are thriving, especially those who operate with the right support, technology and business model.

In this blog, we will explore how profitable being a travel agent really is, what affects earnings and why more people are choosing to start their own travel business through a franchise.

Is Being a Travel Agent Profitable?

Yes, being a travel agent can be highly profitable, but like any business, success depends on several factors including experience, business model, customer base and support systems.

The travel industry is worth billions globally, and customers are increasingly turning back to travel agents for expert advice, personalised service and financial protection. This shift has created significant op...

 In travel, time matters. Data matters. Simplicity matters.

That’s exactly why we built Inspire a powerful, purpose-built technology hub designed to give our travel agents everything they need to run, grow, and scale their business from one single login.

This isn’t off-the-shelf software. This isn’t another platform you’ll use once and forget.

Inspire is travel tech built by travel agents, for travel agents.

Why We Built Inspire

For years, travel agents have been forced to juggle: Multiple systems Endless bookmarks Complicated spreadsheets Different logins for sales, commissions, suppliers, and reporting

It was messy. It was inefficient. And it was holding great agents back.

So we asked a simple question:

What if everything an agent needed to run their business lived in one place?

Inspire is our answer.

What Is Inspire?

Inspire is a central hub for The Good Travel Agent franchise owners, bringing together all the tools, insights, and trade access required to operat...

The travel industry has always been dynamic, exciting and people-focused. But after recent global challenges, many people are now asking an important question: is travel still a good industry to work in?

The short answer is yes. In fact, for many, the travel industry is entering a new and exciting phase of growth, driven by changing consumer behaviour, a renewed love for travel and a greater demand for expert guidance.

A Resilient Industry That Continues to Evolve

The travel industry has proven to be remarkably resilient. While it has faced challenges in recent years, demand for travel has returned strongly as people prioritise experiences, connection and quality time.

Rather than slowing down, travel has evolved. Travellers are now more considered in their choices, seeking reassurance, flexibility and expert support. This shift has created new opportunities for professionals who understand how to guide and support customers through the booking process.

Why Travel Advice Is ...

Just 2.5 years ago, Rob and I sat down with a simple but powerful idea.

We wanted to build a travel franchise that genuinely helped people become their own boss. A business that offered flexibility, real support, and the opportunity to build a sustainable, profitable income without needing years of prior experience in the travel industry.

At the time, it was just a vision. No guarantees. Just belief.

Starting with Nine and a Big Dream

When we officially launched The Good Travel Agent, we welcomed just nine franchise owners. Every single one of them was brand new to travel. No industry background. No existing client base. Just ambition, commitment, and the willingness to learn.

Through structured training, ongoing support, and a community that truly had their back, something incredible started to happen. Those nine individuals grew into confident, knowledgeable, and successful travel agents. Watching that transformation remains one of the most rewarding parts of our journey.

Fas...

When people explore starting a career in travel, one of the most common questions they ask is what level of support they will actually receive. For many, the idea of running a business is exciting, but the fear of doing it alone can feel overwhelming.

This is where a travel franchise can make a significant difference. Support is one of the main reasons people choose a travel franchise over going fully independent, and it often plays a major role in long-term success.

Structured Onboarding and Training

One of the first areas where support becomes clear is during the onboarding process.

Most travel franchises provide structured training designed to help new agents build confidence quickly. This often includes learning how to use booking systems, understanding supplier relationships, handling customer enquiries and managing the day-to-day operations of a travel business.

For those new to the travel industry, this training is essential. Even for experienced travel professionals, ha...

The idea of working from home as a travel agent is more appealing than ever. With advances in technology, changes in consumer behaviour and the rise of flexible working, many people now wonder whether it is genuinely possible to build a successful travel business without a physical shopfront.

The short answer is yes. Thousands of travel agents across the UK now operate fully from home, running profitable and professional businesses supported by modern systems and trusted travel partners.

How Working From Home as a Travel Agent Works

Working from home as a travel agent looks very different today compared to the traditional high street model.

Modern travel agents use cloud-based booking systems, online supplier platforms and digital communication tools to manage enquiries, bookings and customer relationships. This means there is no need for a physical office or retail premises.

Clients are happy to communicate via email, phone, video call or social media, making it easier than ev...

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...