Packaged group trips sold online

Put together weekend or multi-day trips with local suppliers and sell seats online.

Tour guide leading a small group of travellers through a historic city street.
Startup costC$800 to C$5k
Monthly revenueC$500 to C$5k
Time needed8+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • C$800-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

You build packaged trips, such as a wine region weekend, a fall colours bus trip or a niche-interest tour, by booking transport, lodging and activities with suppliers. You sell the package and run it from home.

Your first three steps

  1. Design one trip and get written quotes from a coach company, a venue and an accommodation provider
  2. Work out your per-person price and the minimum number of seats needed to break even
  3. Set up a simple booking page and pitch it to local clubs, community groups and social media groups
Who pays

Groups of friends, clubs, seniors' groups, workplaces and individual travellers looking for a ready-made trip.

How it makes money

You charge a package price per traveller that covers supplier costs plus your margin. Larger or repeat groups improve your margin.

Skills that help
  • Organizing and negotiating with suppliers
  • Budgeting and pricing
  • Online marketing and customer service
Watch out for
  • Some provinces require travel agent or travel seller registration, so check with your provincial regulator before selling trips (Ontario, BC and Quebec have specific rules)
  • Commercial general liability insurance and a clear cancellation and refund policy
  • Supplier failures or low sales, so confirm minimum numbers before you commit deposits
  • Check whether a home-based business licence is needed from your municipality

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: packaged group trips sold online

Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a packaged trip business?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $5,000, depending on your website and booking tools, marketing, insurance and any supplier deposits. Confirming minimum numbers before committing deposits helps limit risk.

How much can you earn selling group trip packages?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on how many trips you run, seats sold and your package prices. Supplier failures or low sales can affect income, so watch your commitments.

Do I need to register to sell trips in Canada?

Check with your provincial regulator whether travel agent or travel seller registration applies before selling trips; Ontario, BC and Quebec have specific rules. Also check commercial general liability insurance, a clear cancellation and refund policy, and any home-based business licence.

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Photo: MemoryCatcher on Pixabay

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