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In 2025, the U.S. had about 59,673 travel agencies (IBISWorld) and roughly 190,000 travel advisors (ASTA). Digital tools and cloud platforms have transformed the industry, enabling remote work and fueling niche specialization in areas like cruises, luxury, and adventure travel. Today, starting a travel agency can take several forms\u2014from home-based setups with a host agency to physical storefronts or franchise models. This guide outlines the typical 2026 process, including key steps, costs, and requirements for each path.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no federal license to become a travel agent in the United States. That makes the travel industry one of the more accessible sectors for someone looking to open a business, and it explains why many new entrants start as a home based travel agent rather than opening a storefront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most newcomers begin by joining a host agency<\/strong>, an established company that provides accreditation, supplier relationships, booking technology, and commission processing. Working under a host agency is the path most commonly described for those who want to open a travel agency online<\/strong> or from home with limited upfront capital. Independent agencies that obtain their own accreditation and a direct merchant model exist too, though they typically involve higher setup costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A travel agency does not own the trips it sells. It books travel from suppliers<\/strong>, the companies that actually provide the product, and earns a commission on each sale. Common suppliers include airlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, tour operators, car rental companies, and travel insurers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Selling those products generally requires accreditation, which acts as the agency’s identifier<\/strong> for booking and commission payments. The accreditations most often referenced in the U.S. include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For new entrants, a host agency is the route most commonly described for accessing these supplier relationships. The host already holds the accreditations and supplier contracts, so agents working under it can book travel and share in the commission without negotiating each agreement individually. Independent agencies that secure their own accreditation deal with suppliers directly, often through a global distribution system (GDS)<\/strong> or supplier booking portals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Four states regulate the activity directly. California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington require a Seller of Travel registration<\/strong> for anyone selling travel to their residents, regardless of where the agency is located. Those requirements are covered in the steps below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The steps to open a travel agency vary by model, but the sequence below reflects the path most operators describe when starting a travel agency in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step is typically defining a niche and target audience. Most travel agencies specialize rather than offering every type of trip, as a focused concept guides suppliers, pricing, and marketing strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common niches include:<\/p>\n\n\n\nCan Anyone Open a Travel Agency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where Does the Travel Come From? Working With Suppliers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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8 Steps to Open a Travel Agency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1 \u2013 Define the Concept and Target Audience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n