A plain-language guide
How to start a travel business from home
You can start selling travel on the side, from home, with no office and no upfront cost. This guide covers the first steps, how to book at wholesale rates, and when a branded website is worth it.
Start free. Pay only when you book. No setup fee, no monthly fee, no card needed to sign up.
Quote for your customer
SampleDubai, 3 nights + flights
2 adults - Apr 4 to 7
- Your agency rate
- $412.00
- Your markup
- + $0.00
- Customer pays
- $412.00
You set the markup. Your customer only sees their price.
Five steps
From idea to your first booking
None of these steps needs a big budget, and you can work through them alongside a job.
- 1
Decide who you will sell to
Most new travel businesses start with people they already know: friends and family, a community, a sports club, a company. A clear group makes the rest easier: what trips to offer, where to find customers and what to charge.
- 2
Check what your country requires
Rules for selling travel differ by country and sometimes by state. Some places ask for a business registration, a tax number or a travel seller license. Check your local requirements before you take payments from customers.
- 3
Get access to wholesale rates
You do not need contracts with airlines and hotels to start. With Nexel you apply online for an account, and once approved you search and book flights and hotels at agency rates from one place.
- 4
Set your markup and make your first booking
Add your own markup on each booking, fixed or percentage. Your customer sees one clear price, and you keep the difference. Start with a few trips and learn as you go.
- 5
Build your brand when you are ready
Once customers start coming back, a branded travel website lets them find you and book under your own name. We can build one for you when the time is right.
Questions people ask
Can I really start a travel business from home?
Yes. Many people start on the side, selling trips to people they know. You need a way to book at agency rates, a way to take payment from customers and to follow your local rules for selling travel.
How much does it cost to start with Nexel?
Nothing upfront. There is no setup fee, no monthly fee and no card needed to sign up. A small fee applies per booking.
Do I need a website to begin?
No. You can start by quoting and booking for customers directly. A branded website helps once you want customers to find you and book on their own.
How do I make money?
You add your own markup to each booking. The customer pays the price you quote, and the difference between your agency rate and that price is yours.
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