How to become a travel agent in India

Step 1: pick a niche before you register anything

Generalist agents compete with every online platform on price. Agents who specialise win on knowledge: a destination, a trip type or a customer group. Examples are honeymoons to the Maldives and Bali, Himachal and Uttarakhand family trips, senior-citizen pilgrimages, or corporate incentive trips.

Choose a niche where you already have knowledge or contacts. Your first ten clients will come mostly from people who already trust you, so a niche that matches your own network is the fastest start.

Step 2: set up the business

• Choose a structure: most people start as a sole proprietorship and move to an LLP or private limited company as they grow. Your CA can advise on the trade-offs.
• Open a current account in the business name so client money is not mixed with personal money.
• Check GST: registration becomes mandatory once turnover crosses the applicable threshold, and some agents register earlier. Overseas packages also bring tax collected at source (TCS) obligations. Confirm current rules with your CA.
• Check tourism registrations: some states, such as Goa, require tourism businesses to register, and national bodies offer optional recognition. Requirements vary by state and by the services you sell.
• Consider joining a trade body such as TAAI, TAFI or OTOAI for networking, training and supplier access. Airline ticketing access usually needs IATA accreditation or a consolidator.

Rules and thresholds change. Treat this list as a checklist of things to confirm with a chartered accountant, not as legal advice.

Step 3: build supplier relationships

An agent’s margin depends on supplier access. Start with a few reliable partners instead of many: a DMC or ground handler for each destination you sell, a hotel contact for your top destinations, and a way to book flights and trains.

Ask each supplier for their rate sheet, cancellation terms, payment terms and how quickly they reply. Speed of reply is a bigger difference than a small price gap, because clients move on quickly.

Step 4: set up your tools

• A way to turn an enquiry into an itinerary quickly. Use a template library or itinerary software, so you are not rebuilding a document per client.
• A quotation format with taxes shown separately, options and clear inclusions and exclusions. See the free travel quotation format.
• A payment method that fits your clients, such as UPI, and a clear deposit and cancellation policy.
• A simple client record so you know who asked what and when to follow up.

Step 5: win your first clients

• Tell your network what you specialise in, and ask for one introduction each.
• Post real itineraries and trip reports on Instagram and a Google Business Profile, and answer enquiries within the hour.
• Respond to WhatsApp enquiries with a clear, branded itinerary and options rather than a long chat. Professional presentation is the cheapest way to look bigger than you are.
• Ask every happy client for a review and a referral before they leave for the trip and after they return.

How travel agents earn

Agents earn from a mix of supplier commission, a markup on the package price, and service or planning fees. The mix depends on your niche and how much work you do per trip. See how much travel agents charge for the models and a worked example.