How much does a travel franchise cost compared with a homeworking agency?

Travel franchises often cost between around £3,000 and £30,000 to join. With Travel Homeworkers you can start from £295 + VAT, with monthly fees from £49 + VAT on a 30-day rolling contract.

Homeworking vs franchise

Travel franchise or homeworking agency: which is right for you?

An honest comparison of the two main ways to start a travel business from home, covering costs, contracts, support and earnings.

The short answer

Both let you sell holidays from home and earn commission. The biggest differences are cost and commitment. Franchises typically charge thousands of pounds upfront and often tie you into a long-term agreement. A homeworking agency like Experience It Now Travel lets you start from £295 + VAT on a 30-day rolling contract, with the same access to suppliers and full training.

What's the difference?

A travel franchise lets you run a travel business under a franchisor's brand and business model. You usually pay a significant joining fee for the brand, training and systems, plus ongoing fees.

A homeworking agency (sometimes called a host agency) lets you sell holidays as a self-employed agent under an established agency's ABTA membership and ATOL licence. You get the suppliers, booking systems, protection and training, usually for a much lower start-up cost, and you can often trade under your own brand.

Side by side

How they compare

	Travel Homeworkers	Typical franchise
Start-up cost	From £295 + VAT	Often £3,000 to £30,000
Monthly fee	From £49 + VAT	Usually charged
Contract	30-day rolling	Often long-term
Experience needed	None	Usually none
Training	Live, day or evening	Included
Sales targets	None	Varies
Trade under your own brand	✓	Usually franchisor's brand
ABTA & ATOL protection	✓	✓

Franchise costs vary by company and package. Always check the full terms before you join any business.

What would your first year cost?

With Travel Homeworkers, your total first-year cost is the set-up fee plus 12 monthly payments:

Self-Catering

£883

£295 + 12 × £49, plus VAT

Half-Board

£1,413

£345 + 12 × £89, plus VAT

All-Inclusive

£3,163

£1,495 + 12 × £139, plus VAT

Many franchise joining fees alone are higher than a full year with our most popular package, before any monthly fees are added.

Which should you choose?

A franchise might suit you if…

You want to trade under a well-known national brand
You're comfortable with a larger upfront investment
You prefer a big corporate network

A homeworking agency might suit you if…

You want to start for a few hundred pounds, not thousands
You'd rather not be tied into a long-term contract
You want your own brand and a small, family team who know you

"Are low-cost schemes just about recruitment?"

It's a fair question to ask any company. Experience It Now Travel is a working travel agency with high-street branches and a member of Hays Travel Independence Group. Our homeworkers earn their income from selling holidays, with up to 70% commission on every booking, not from recruiting other people. Travel Homeworkers is simply the team that helps new homeworkers get started.

Frequently asked questions

Is a travel franchise better than a homeworking agency?

Neither is better for everyone. Franchises offer a well-known brand for a higher upfront cost, while homeworking agencies offer the same core tools, suppliers and protection for far less, often with more flexibility.

Do homeworking agents earn less than franchisees?

Not necessarily. Your earnings depend on what you sell. With Experience It Now Travel you keep up to 70% of the commission on every booking.

Can I switch from a franchise to a homeworking agency?

Usually, yes, depending on the terms of your franchise agreement. Speak to our team and we'll talk you through how switching works.