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What is a homeworking travel agent?
A homeworking travel agent (also called a home-based travel agent or travel homeworker) is a self-employed travel professional who sells holidays from home instead of from a high-street shop. You find your own customers, from friends and family to social media followers and local groups, and book their holidays through an established travel agency that provides the suppliers, booking systems, financial protection and support.
You earn commission on every booking, choose your own hours and build a business around your life, whether that's part-time alongside another job or full-time.
Do you need travel experience?
No. Many successful homeworkers come from completely different careers, such as retail, customer service, teaching or nursing. What matters most is a love of travel, good communication and the drive to build something of your own. The right company will give you full training on booking systems, suppliers and selling, so you can start with confidence.
How to get started in 5 steps
- 1 Research your options Compare homeworking companies and franchises on start-up cost, monthly fees, commission, training, support and contract length.
- 2 Book a discovery call Speak to a few companies, ask all your questions and get a feel for the people you'll be working with.
- 3 Choose your package Pick the level of tools and marketing support that suits your goals and budget.
- 4 Complete your training Learn the booking systems, suppliers and how to find and look after customers.
- 5 Start selling holidays Spread the word to your network, share deals on social media and make your first bookings.
How much does it cost to become a homeworking travel agent?
Costs vary widely depending on the type of company you join. Travel franchises often charge several thousand pounds upfront, while homeworking agencies like Experience It Now Travel let you start for a few hundred pounds. Most companies also charge a monthly fee to cover ABTA bonding, financial protection and booking software.
| Travel Homeworkers | Typical franchise | |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up cost | From £295 + VAT | Often thousands of pounds |
| Monthly fee | From £49 + VAT | Varies |
| Contract | 30-day rolling | Often long-term |
| Targets | None | Sometimes |
How much can a homeworking travel agent earn?
Homeworking travel agents earn commission rather than a salary. Suppliers typically pay between 10% and 20% commission on a booking. With Experience It Now Travel, you keep 70% of the net commission the agency receives, which works out at 63% of the supplier's commission.
Example
You book a £3,000 holiday for a client with 15% supplier commission. That's £450 commission, and your 63% share is £283.50, for one booking.
What you earn depends on the time you put in and the size of your network. Our homeworkers earn anything from a few hundred to thousands of pounds a month, and some go on to build six-figure sales in their first year.
How to choose the right homeworking company
Not all homeworking companies are the same. Before you sign up, check:
- Are holidays ABTA bonded and ATOL protected?
- Is training live and interactive, or just videos?
- When is support available, and who provides it?
- What are the start-up and monthly costs, all in?
- How long is the contract, and are there sales targets?
- How many suppliers can you sell, and what commission do you keep?
See how we compare
Up to 70% commission, 300+ suppliers, live training, WhatsApp support until 10pm and a 30-day rolling contract, from £295 + VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be a homeworking travel agent part-time?
Yes. Many homeworkers start part-time alongside another job and grow their business at their own pace.
Do I need a licence to sell holidays from home?
Not when you join an established agency. Your bookings are made under the agency's ABTA membership and ATOL licence, so your customers are fully protected.
What equipment do I need?
Just a laptop or computer, a phone and a reliable internet connection.
How quickly can I start selling?
With Experience It Now Travel, you can start straight away while completing your training.
