Yes, travel agents generally must find their own clients, especially when starting out, by leveraging personal networks, online marketing (social media, SEO), networking locally, and getting referrals, though some host agencies offer marketing support or leads. Building a client base is crucial and involves proactive outreach, establishing expertise in a niche, and providing excellent service to generate repeat business and word-of-mouth.
How do I get my first clients as a new travel agent?
Cons of Being a Travel Agent
There's a lot of competition in the travel industry, especially from big-name brands and online booking tools. To succeed, you'll need to market yourself, find your niche, and deliver value. That's where branding and trust come in.
You don't need a client list to start. Finding clients is often the hardest part of getting started. At Fora, we give you the tools, support, and programs to help you build and scale your book of business.
The Most Profitable Travel Niches in 2025
The 4 P's Of Marketing In The Travel & Tourism Industry. Product, Price, Place, and Promotion are the four key points in any tourism business' marketing strategy.
As we glance into the future of travel in 2025, many people find themselves asking, "Are travel agents still a thing?" The travel industry has undergone significant transformations, and while some traditional roles have evolved, travel agents are not just surviving—they are thriving.
It's worth considering the financial implications of becoming a travel advisor before you dive in. As an independent contractor, you're forgoing a traditional salary. This is the trade-off for being your own boss and setting your own schedule. On the flip side, this also means your earning potential is unlimited.
Average base salary
The average salary for a travel agent is $21.17 per hour in the United States. 339 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated January 3, 2026).
Being too large can be a weakness if the size of your travel agency results in slow decision-making or too-rigid policies. Too few personnel, a poor location, outdated collateral can all be considered weaknesses. A lack of experience is a weakness, as is a lack of capital.
Yes, being a TA can be a great side hustle or even a full-time career, but it's not passive income. It's real work. It takes training, dedication, and a true commitment to helping people. It's also not a "quit my job today and become rich tomorrow" kind of thing.
Increased Demand for Travel Expertise
Travel agents help clients navigate new travel policies, ensuring safety and peace of mind while planning their trips. This heightened demand is one reason why this career is booming and aligns with the future of travel planning.
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Travel Agency
It's not always cheaper one way; booking yourself is often cheaper for simple trips if you're savvy online, while agents can save you money and time on complex trips (multi-city, groups) through exclusive deals and support, but sometimes add fees, making the best choice depend on your trip's complexity and your comfort with DIY planning.
Luxury Travel
Luxury travel is among the most profitable travel blogging niches. Bloggers within this niche typically share high-ticket items and experiences, like high-end resorts, luxury spas, overwater bungalows, five-star dining experiences, and first-class flights.
High Paying Travel Agent Jobs
Even if travel agents don't charge their clients directly, they often earn commissions from bookings. These commissions are paid by hotels, airlines, tour operators, or cruise lines once the journey is confirmed or completed.
The Rise of Self-Service Travel
Platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, and Skyscanner promised freedom, flexibility, and savings. Suddenly, travellers didn't need a middleman—they could book their entire holiday with a few clicks. This shift led many to declare travel agents obsolete.
Disadvantages of using a travel agent include potential extra fees for services or cancellations, less flexibility for spontaneous trips, the time spent finding the right agent, potential conflicts of interest (agents pushing commissions), and not earning maximum credit card rewards, though they offer convenience and expertise for complex trips. You may also miss out on unique deals found directly online, and dealing with changes can be harder than booking direct.
Level 4: Do Not Travel
Some of the hottest eCommerce niches today include home office equipment, fitness and sports gear, personalized gift jewelry, print-on-demand clothing, health and wellness products, beauty and cosmetic products, pet products, sustainable products, digital products, travel and outdoor gear, gaming accessories, luxury ...
To make $10,000/month with affiliate marketing, you need to build authority in a profitable niche (like tech or finance), consistently create high-value content (blog, YouTube, social) to attract a large audience, focus on promoting high-commission or high-ticket products (like software, courses), build an email list for direct marketing, and use paid ads strategically, understanding that it takes months to years of consistent effort. Focus on building "online real estate" with strong branding and traffic generation to create a sustainable system, rather than quick fixes.
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