Let’s clear the air…

Starting a travel business is honestly one of the best decisions you can make, flexibility, freedom, and the joy of sending people off on holidays while you’re sat in comfy leggings with your hair in a bun?

Perfection.

But ohhh my days… the myths.

The myths are OUT OF CONTROL.

You’ve probably already heard them from:

• Karen in HR

• Someone’s uncle who “knows the travel industry because he once went on a cruise”

• People in Facebook groups who somehow know everything and nothing at the same time

• And that one friend who thinks travel agents haven’t existed since 1998

So today we’re going to break down the five biggest myths about starting a travel business - and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (with a cheeky side-eye).

Let’s get into it.

Ah yes. A classic.

Usually said by someone who then books a holiday online and spends three months on hold to customer service when something inevitably goes wrong.

Reality check:

Travel agents are BACK. Big time.

People want:

✔ real support

✔ real protection

✔ real humans

✔ real help when their flight gets cancelled at 2am

And guess what?

Travel agents provide every single one of those things.

The online booking world is a circus of hidden fees, dodgy websites, wrong dates, and “why is luggage an extra £200?” surprises.

Travel agents cut through all of that.

That’s why the industry is growing faster now than it did pre-2020.

We didn’t disappear.

Everyone just suddenly remembered we’re useful.

Nope.

You do not need:

❌ a tourism degree

❌ industry background

❌ a travel agency apprenticeship

❌ a certificate in ‘Advanced Sun Lounger Identification’

What you do need is:

✔ the right training

✔ the right host agency or franchise

✔ dedication

✔ common sense

✔ and the desire to actually help people

Everything else?

You can learn.

That’s literally why The Travel Agent Academy exists, to help you start without drowning in outdated, boring, unnecessarily complicated training.

If you can learn to work your smartphone, navigate Instagram, or use Google without screaming…

you can learn the travel industry.

…said no successful travel agent EVER.

This myth exists because some people think being a travel agent = posting cute holiday pics on Instagram for £3 commission.

Absolutely not.

The truth:

Travel agents make money through:

– commission

– overrides

– upsells

– group bookings

– cruises

– tailor-made trips

– repeat clients

– referrals

– and high-value packages

And here’s the tea:

Packages and cruises pay very, VERY well.

Most new agents hit £1,000-£3,000 per month comfortably.

Established agents? £5k-£10k months.

Niche specialists and group travel pros? £15k+ months.

You get out what you put in.

But the earning potential is very real.

This one gets thrown around because people confuse “flexible” with “chaotic.”

Yes, you might get the odd message at weird times.

Yes, people seem to think you’re awake 24 hours a day.

Yes, clients sometimes forget you are not a hotel concierge.

BUT…

You are the boss.

You decide:

✔ your hours

✔ your boundaries

✔ your response times

✔ your systems

✔ your processes

You can:

– Use autoresponders

– Set clear expectations

– Have set working hours

– Let your tech do the heavy lifting

– And still run a wildly successful business

This is your business, not an emergency hotline.

And when you’re properly trained?

You work smarter, not harder.

(And definitely not 24/7.)

Let me just say this clearly:

**There is room for you.

There is room for EVERYONE.**

Do you know what the travel industry is absolutely STARVING for?

People who:

✔ show personality

✔ build trust

✔ use social media properly

✔ know their niche

✔ actually care

You don’t need to be the biggest travel agent online.

You need to be the one people like, trust, and remember.

And trust me - personality beats competition every single time.

The reason so many travel agents fade into the background?

They’re all posting the same generic Canva templates with palm trees.

(You know the ones.)

Show up with confidence, consistency, and your own voice…

and you’ll build a client base that never even looks at your competitors.

Absolutely NOT.

People are booking more holidays than ever.

2026 and 2027 bookings are exploding.

Travel demand hasn’t slowed, it’s snowballing.

And here’s the best part:

You’re not late.

You’re right on time.

The industry is modernising.

Social media selling is booming.

People want human connection again.

And independent agents are thriving.

The only too-late moment is the one where you keep putting this off.

Starting a travel business doesn’t require perfection.

Just passion, willingness to learn, and the confidence to take that first step.

The myths?

Forget them.

The truth:

Travel is booming.

Clients need you.

You can earn REAL money.

You can build this around your life.

And you absolutely CAN stand out.

If this blog made something in you go,

“Okay… maybe I actually CAN do this,”

then trust that feeling, it’s not accidental.

The Travel Agent Academy is designed to give you:

✨ The training

✨ The confidence

✨ The systems

✨ The marketing strategies

✨ The support

✨ And the step-by-step plan

…to launch your travel business properly.

No myths.

No confusion.

No overwhelm.

Just clear direction and everything you need to succeed.

👉 Click here to join The Travel Agent Academy and start your travel business with confidence.

Your new future is waiting - and it looks a lot brighter than those Facebook group rumours.