Becoming a home-based travel agent offers flexibility, independence, and the chance to turn your passion for travel into a business. Whether you join a host agency, buy a franchise, or become a remote travel consultant, research your options carefully to find the model that best fits your lifestyle and goals.
 

1. What is a home-based travel agent?

A home-based travel agent is a travel consultant who works remotely, usually through a host agency, selling holidays, flights, and tours from their home office.

The most common model is when an individual owns their own business under the umbrella of a host agency that provides back-office support, training, supplier rates and relationships, and marketing collateral, in exchange for a fee or share of earnings.

Today, more than 50 organisations offer homeworking opportunities. With different criteria and costs attached, it’s worth doing your research before making a choice.

2. What are the options for becoming a home-based travel agent?

You can set up your own independent travel agency from scratch, but this can be expensive and risky. You’ll be responsible for upfront costs such as licensing, insurance, marketing, and training if needed. 
Most people choose to join a host agency and leverage the support and resources of a larger company. There are several models available:

• Self-starter: Source your own clients and build a customer base.
• Leads-supported: Receive sales leads from the agency to convert into bookings. Hays Travel offers a strong option.
• Franchise ownership: Companies such as Travel Counsellors, Hays Travel, and The Travel Franchise allow you to purchase a business and decide your own branding, specialisms, and working hours.

• Remote employee: Some high street or online agencies employ home-based travel consultants directly, though these roles often require more prior experience.

   

3. How do I choose the best host agency?

Joining fees are only one factor. It is essential to look at the bigger picture, including:

• Commission structures
• Any ongoing monthly fees
• Training and the business development support provided
• The back office systems and industry tools you’ll have access to
• The licenses and insurance that are included
• The community you’ll be joining

4. Who is best suited to becoming a home-based travel agent?

The role can suit lots of different people. If you look at host agencies websites you’ll find people from many different walks of life that have become home-based agents – lawyers, stay-at-home parents, investment bankers and cabin crew.

For many, flexibility is the biggest draw. Travel Counsellor Jayne Lomax says the advantages include working around her lifestyle and family, tailoring her schedule to clients, and being able to decide how much time she invests in her business.

Previous experience in the travel industry is not a requirement though this may affect which agencies will take you on. The key things to have include:

• An entrepreneurial spirit
• A hunger to learn new things
• A drive to run a successful business
• Good people skills
• A passion for bringing customers’ dream holidays to life
  
   

5. What training do you need to become a home-based travel agent?

If you are new to the industry your host agency will likely offer you training although the amount varies. Some agencies offer academies where you are closely supported for an initial period.

Depending on which associations your agency is affiliated with, you may also access industry training from organisations such as Abta, Aito, Iata and ITT.

6. How much does it cost to become a home-based travel agent?

The cost depends on the agency you join. For example:

• You can join agencies such as InteleTravel for as little as £142 plus £32 monthly.
• Buying a franchise, such as Travel Counsellors’ Travel Academy, starts at around £5,000 + VAT.

Make sure you carefully research what these costs include, what the companies expect from you, and the support and tools you will have access to.
 

7. How much do you earn as a home-based travel agent?

Earnings vary widely and depend on how much time you invest in building your client base. It’s common for new agents to earn less while establishing themselves.

Your income will also depend on the type of holidays you sell, the product you sell – flights, hotels, car hire and operators all have different commission levels – and the commission structure your host agency offers.

On average, a full-time home-based worker can earn around £24,000 per year, while top performing agents might earn more than £1 million annually. Part-time agents or those just starting out could be earning much less.

8. What are the benefits of being a home-based travel agent?

The main advantages include:

• Flexibility to work around other commitments
• Freedom to work from any chosen location
• Lower start-up costs compared to setting up independently
• Ability to build and shape your own business
• Access to host agency systems, licences, training, and insurance
• Opportunity to specialise in areas you’re passionate about