Quick answers for starting your own travel business
No Experience Needed
You can start a travel business from scratch with full training and support — 99% of franchisees were brand new to travel.
Fits Real Life
Build your travel agency around family, work or limited hours, whether part-time, evenings or school hours.
Anyone Can Succeed
Age, background or personality don’t matter — people from all walks of life thrive with the right support system.
No, you don’t need previous travel industry experience to launch a franchise. You can become a travel agent without any prior experience and without any industry qualifications. The Travel Franchise provides full training from scratch. In fact, 99% of new franchisees had never worked in travel before joining. Enthusiasm for travel and a willingness to learn are far more important than prior experience.
People from all walks of life can succeed and there’s no single “type.” Franchisees have come from backgrounds as diverse as estate agents, biochemists, teachers, stay-at-home parents and marketing managers. They are also people who have considered making a career change at 30, 40 and in their 50s. The key common factors are a passion for travel, good people skills and the drive to build your own business. The Travel Franchise has seen hundreds of individuals with no prior self-employment or travel experience thrive under its model.
There’s no strict age limit. As long as you are 18 or over, you can start a travel franchise at any age. Many people have launched their travel business in their 30s and beyond. Age isn’t a barrier when you’ve got a passion for travel and the dedication to learn. The Travel Franchise has franchisees of all ages, proving it’s never too late (or too early) to change careers.
Yes, this business is very flexible and can be run around family commitments. Many parents of young children are successful franchisees because the model allows you to work during school hours or in the evenings, as needed. Because it’s home-based and you set your own schedule, parents considering returning to work can balance building a travel business with childcare.
Absolutely. The franchise is a great opportunity for those returning to the workforce after a career break, parental leave or redundancy. The comprehensive training will get you back up to speed, and you can ramp up at your own pace. Many returners find this a refreshing new start with full support provided to help them succeed.
Yes. You can launch your travel franchise part-time alongside your existing full-time job. In fact, a lot of franchisees begin by working on their travel business during evenings and weekends until it grows enough to switch over. There’s no requirement to quit your job to get started. You can build it up gradually.
It’s possible to make progress even with limited hours, especially in the beginning. Many franchisees start with 5-10 hours weekly on a part-time basis and still secure bookings by focusing on efficient marketing and leveraging the support on offer. Naturally, the more time you can invest, the faster your business may grow, but a few hours a week can be enough to begin building a client base.
No, you don’t need to be a hard salesperson. Success as a travel consultant comes with key travel agent skills such as being helpful, building relationships and providing great service rather than high-pressure sales tactics. Do a good job and your customers will return to you and refer others.
Yes. While social media can be one way to find clients, it’s not the only way. Many franchisees generate business through personal networks, referrals, local events or partnerships, even if their social media presence is minimal. The franchise training will also guide you on simple, effective social media tactics if you want to use them, but you can succeed through offline methods too.
Even without an existing network, you can build one as you launch your business. The training includes strategies for finding customers from scratch, such as tapping into community groups, clubs, colleagues, referrals and online inquiries. The Travel Franchise’s marketing support (including a ready-made website and lead-generation programs) helps you attract clients beyond your personal circle.
Being a good travel consultant isn’t about being loud or extroverted. It’s about understanding clients’ needs, doing research and providing excellent service. But you do need to be happy picking up the phone and chatting. Many introverted people excel by leveraging one-on-one communications, thoughtful customer care and online marketing. You can build the business in a style that suits you personally.
That’s not a problem. Most new franchisees are first-time business owners. The Travel Franchise is designed as a “business in a box,” providing all the training, systems and support you need to operate successfully. You’ll learn step by step how to manage bookings, finances and marketing. Plus, you’ll have a Franchise Business Consultant (mentor) to guide you so you’re never on your own in figuring things out. See what’s included.
You don’t need to be a tech expert. The platform and booking software provided are user-friendly, and full training is given on how to use all systems. There’s also a support team and plenty of tutorial resources in The Hub (the online knowledge base). Many people who considered themselves “not techy” have completed training and found the technology straightforward after practice.
A laptop or desktop computer is strongly recommended for running your business, especially for training and making bookings using the travel agent software. While you can do some tasks from a smartphone or tablet (like social media or emails), the core booking systems (e.g. flight/hotel reservation systems) work best on a computer. Most franchisees use a laptop as their main work device.
No formal office is required. A simple workspace at home will do. Many franchisees work from a laptop at their dining table or spare room. As long as you have a quiet area with internet access and a phone, you can run the business. There’s no need for high street premises. Being home-based keeps overheads low and offers you flexibility. However, some franchisees also choose to expand after a few years.
See how people from all walks of life made this work: from busy parents to part-timers and career changers.
👉 Watch our free online presentation to hear their stories.
The initial training course is five days long. It’s a comprehensive live training week (Monday to Friday) designed to get you fully set up and confident to start booking holidays.
Over the training period, you’ll cover all the fundamentals of running your travel business. This includes an introduction to the travel industry, hands-on practice with the booking systems and software, how to package and price holidays and step-by-step guidance on making bookings correctly. You’ll also learn how to find customers and market your services, along with essentials like customer service, travel compliance and supplier relationships. Each day builds on the last, so by the end of the training you’re prepared to start trading and make bookings.
The standard initial training is delivered live online via Zoom (interactive webinar sessions), so you can attend from home. You’ll be part of a small group, interacting with the trainers in real time. There are also optional in-person training events and meet-ups later on (such as specialist workshops or retreats), but the core induction training is usually online for convenience and wider access.
The live sessions themselves might not all be recorded for replay, but you will have access to extensive on-demand resources to revisit the material. The franchise provides an online Hub full of videos, guides and how-to modules covering everything taught, so you can review topics at any time. Additionally, weekly company update calls are recorded for playback, and you can always ask for a refresher or catch-up help from the support team if you missed something.
Yes, full training is provided on all the industry booking systems, software and tools you’ll use to quote and book trips. During induction, you’ll learn to use the iSell reservation system and the Vision customer relationship management (CRM) system, which handle everything from searching for holidays to managing client invoices. By the end of training, you’ll know how to quote prices, make bookings, process payments and issue travel documents using these systems. There’s also training on the industry-leading T-Profile quotation tool.
Yes, The Travel Franchise provides specialist training for various niches like cruise holidays, luxury travel, weddings/honeymoons, etc. In addition to the general training, you can access optional modules and events focusing on specific products and destinations. For example, there is a dedicated cruise course coaching and even “Seminar at Sea” trips for hands-on cruise experience. Whether it’s luxury travel or particular destinations, you’ll have opportunities to deepen your knowledge through ongoing training and supplier webinars.
If you miss part of the live training, the team will help you catch up. The training staff can provide you with the materials from the missed session and one of the trainers or your Franchise Business Consultant (FBC) can recap the key points for you. You’ll also have related content available in The Hub to study. In practice, if someone can’t attend a portion, they often join the next available training for that segment or review the topic one-on-one, so you won’t be left behind.
Once the initial training is over, you move into a highly supported launch phase. You’ll be introduced to your personal Franchise Business Consultant (a mentor), who will be by your side as you start booking holidays. You also get daily support from the head office team, which consists of experienced travel experts available via phone, email and the franchisee Facebook community to help with quotes, operations or any questions. In short, after training, you still have continuous mentorship, an active peer community and specialist head office departments (ticketing, marketing, admin, etc.) backing you up every day. The support doesn’t stop. It’s ongoing throughout your journey.
Yes. Every new franchisee is assigned a Franchise Business Consultant (also known as an FBC or coach) who acts as your mentor. They typically connect with you as soon as you finish training and help you with everything from your first quotes to growing your sales. This 1:1 mentor is an experienced professional dedicated to your success, giving tips, answering questions and keeping you motivated. It’s like having a personal coach in the business and it’s included as part of your franchise package.
You have a couple of options: the head office Operations support line is available for live help on quotations, supplier queries or system issues. In practice, many franchisees message their FBC for quick advice if they’re unsure how to price or propose something. You’ll never be left alone to figure it out. Expert help is always just a WhatsApp or phone call away.
Yes, there is a very active franchisee community you’ll be a part of. There are private Facebook groups and forums where consultants and head office staff share tips, answer questions and celebrate wins daily. You can quickly post any question and get responses from fellow franchisees or HQ experts. Additionally, there are group chats, regular meet-ups and an annual conference, so you’ll feel like part of a team, not isolated at home.
Some new agents make their first booking within days of finishing training or the very same day. It ultimately depends on when you start marketing and taking inquiries, but it’s very common to secure a first booking in the first few weeks. In fact, with the support and leads available, you’re encouraged to aim for a booking in your first month (and some even achieve one during the training period with early inquiries).
The presentation includes a breakdown of the 5-day induction and what support you get after launch.
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It depends on the package you choose. The Travel Franchise has different options designed for different budgets and goals, namely Lite and Elite. One is a lower initial investment to help you get started, and the other is a bigger step up with more included and a higher earning potential. If you want the current package breakdown (including exact figures), you’ll find it in the full cost guide here: cost to become a travel agent.
Think: the most comprehensive “business in a box”. You get training, the tools to sell holidays and support to help you actually use them. Wondering what’s included? Depending on the package you choose, you get a personal travel website, access to approved travel suppliers, booking/CRM systems, marketing resources and ongoing support from the head office team and franchise business consultants (FBCs). In short: the last thing you’re doing is starting from scratch.
Lite is designed as a lower-commitment way to start. It’s great if you’re building this alongside a job or managing family life. You still get the business set-up and support, but the package is built to keep things simpler at the beginning. Elite is the “full” version, with more included, a higher commission share, and extra experiences/training opportunities. It’s also the route that can include the Money-Back Challenge (subject to certain terms). For a simple side-by-side, this resource on the Lite vs Elite package differences can prove very useful.
Lite usually comes with an ongoing monthly support/management subscription that starts after you’ve completed training. Elite typically doesn’t have that same ongoing subscription but it may entail instalment options if you choose to spread your initial investment.
You do not pay extra for the essentials. The core systems you need to run the business are included as part of your package, which means you’re not forced to go and buy separate travel agent software just to get going. Optional extras are available, but they’re not a requirement to start trading.
The Travel Franchise is transparent about pricing and fees and there should be no surprises. Most people budget for normal business basics instead. Things like a laptop, phone/internet and a small marketing pot if they want to promote locally. Some choose to order printed items (business cards, brochures) or branded bits. However, this is optional.
Yes. You can enjoy access to ready-to-use digital marketing materials and resources (social media templates, content ideas and promotions). Plus, you get guidance on how to use them. Printed materials aren’t always automatically provided, but branded templates are available if you want to order your own.
Yes, your own personal travel website is included, set up for you and supported centrally, so you don’t have to build one from scratch.
Yes. Many of The Travel Franchise’s travel agents start with Lite and upgrade when they’re ready to go bigger or when they want access to the additional Elite features.
You’ll typically renew normal business items like insurance each year. Any ongoing subscription (where applicable) continues while you’re active. The best place to confirm what applies to your package is the current package breakdown during the Discovery tour.
See what’s included in each option: tools, training, support and how the Money-Back Challenge works.👉 Watch the free online tour for a side-by-side walkthrough.
If you want to know how travel agents earn money, the answer is primarily through commissions from suppliers. When you book a holiday for a client (be it a package, cruise, hotel or flight), the tour operator or travel supplier pays a commission on the booking value. That commission comes into the franchise, and then you, as the franchisee, receive your share of it (a percentage split, for instance up to 75%). In short, you don’t charge the customer extra. You get paid by the suppliers after the client travels. Additionally, some agents charge modest service fees for complex itineraries, but the bulk of income is commission-based.
Travel agent commission rates can vary, but generally, for package holidays and cruises, it’s often around 10–15% of the holiday price (set by the supplier). As a franchisee with The Travel Franchise, you can earn up to 75% of that commission for yourself, with the remainder allocated to the franchisor. The exact split depends on your package (Elite members earn a higher percentage). Overall, commissions make the business very rewarding. Selling higher-end or group trips yields higher commission amounts.
Typically, commission is paid after the client has travelled. This is standard in the industry. The supplier will usually release the commission to the franchise once the customer departs on their holiday, and then the franchise pays it out to you in the next commission run. In practical terms, that means if you book a trip far in advance, you wait until the travel date for the commission. The Travel Franchise does regular commission pay runs to ensure you get anything due to you promptly after a client’s travel experience. There are also sometimes exceptions. Certain suppliers may pay sooner (or later), but “after travel” is the rule of thumb.
Commission is calculated per booking for the whole reservation and not for each individual traveller. So, if you book a holiday package for a family of four as one booking, you earn commission on the total package price. It’s not multiplied by four. Instead, it’s a single commission amount for that booking. However, naturally a larger group booking tends to have a higher total value, so the commission will be higher in absolute terms compared to a booking for one person.
Yes, you can earn commission on flights in many cases but it depends on how the flights are booked. If you package a flight with accommodation or other services via a tour operator or consolidator, then commission is built into the package. If you sell a flight-only through certain suppliers or the in-house system, there may be a service fee or small commission. Pure flight-only tickets, especially with budget airlines, often have slim margins. Sometimes, the earning is via a booking fee you charge the client. The training you receive from The Travel Franchise will show you the best ways to book flights to ensure you do get paid. For example, using net fares with a mark-up. In summary, you can earn commissions on flights but flight-only bookings typically yield much lower commission than full holiday packages.
Yes, booking accommodation on its own can still earn you commission. Through the franchise, you’ll have hotel booking suppliers and bedbanks that pay commission on hotel-only reservations. For example, if you book a hotel stay for a client via your supplier systems, there might be a 10-15% commission on the hotel price. Many franchisees happily book hotels-alone, such as a weekend city break hotel, and earn from it. Like flights, margins can be smaller on standalone components, but you do get paid for hotels-only bookings placed through the right channels
Yes, cruises are a very lucrative area. You earn commission on cruise bookings, often at attractive rates similar to or higher than package holidays. Cruise lines typically offer good commission because of the high value of cruise trips. The mechanism is the same: the cruise line or tour operator pays a percentage on the cabin fare and you get your split of that. One difference is cruises sometimes have extras (shore excursions or upgrades) that can also boost what you earn. The franchise even has a dedicated Cruise Division to help you maximise cruise sales. In short: cruises can be among the most rewarding bookings commission-wise.
Yes, travel franchises can be very profitable if you work consistently and build a loyal customer base. As a home-based franchise, your costs remain low (no rent and few fixed costs), so a large portion of the commission you earn is profit. The profitability grows over time as repeat clients come back and refer others, meaning you spend less to acquire each new booking. The Travel Franchise, in particular, has produced many high-earning franchisees, and with travel demand on the rise, there’s strong profit potential. Like any business, the more you put in, the more you can get out. But many franchisees enjoy healthy profits even doing this part-time or as a lifestyle business.
The income of a Travel Franchise owner varies widely. Some owners treat it as a small side business, earning a few thousand a year, while top performers make six-figure incomes. According to franchise reports, a motivated full-time travel consultant can earn five figures-plus in commission in a year once established, with the very best earning well above that. The Travel Franchise has examples of people achieving £100k+ annual earnings from home once their business matures. Importantly, your income isn’t capped: the more holidays you sell (especially higher-value ones), the more you make. The franchise model supports scaling up, and if you eventually build a team or take on referral partners, you can increase earnings further.
There are instances of franchisees recouping their entire franchise fee very quickly in a matter of months. Some have hit the Money-Back Challenge (MBC) target (in other words, they earned enough commission to get a refund of the fee) in well under a year. In fact, a record often cited is a franchisee who managed to reach that sales threshold in just six months. Of course, that’s exceptional and requires a lot of dedication (and a few big bookings), but it shows it’s possible. Many others complete it within 12 months. So, the fastest have done it in a few months, and plenty achieve it in the first year.
Yes, you have the option to build a team later, but it’s entirely optional. The model is primarily you selling travel as an individual business owner, not an MLM where recruiting is required. However, The Travel Franchise does have a referral scheme and even a “Partner in Travel” program where you can have people refer clients to you for a share of commission. If, down the line, you wanted to scale up by having sub-agents or a business partner, you could discuss arrangements with the head office. Most franchisees focus on their own sales rather than recruiting others. There’s no obligation to recruit anyone else.
We cover commission examples, pay timelines, and how others replaced their income – all inside the presentation.
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