Specialist group trips sold online
Plan themed group trips such as walking or food breaks, and sell places through your own website.
- £1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 79120 “Tour operator activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You build themed trips for a niche, for example walking holidays, gardens, history or music weekends. You arrange accommodation, transport and activities with local suppliers, and sell the whole trip online, usually from your desk.
Your first three steps
- Pick a niche you know well and plan one trip, getting quotes from hotels and transport suppliers
- Build a simple website with trip details, a clear price and a booking form
- Promote the trip in clubs, social media groups and newsletters related to your niche
Who pays
Hobby and interest groups, friends and clubs, and couples or solo travellers looking for a planned trip with like-minded people.
How it makes money
A price per person for the whole trip, with your margin built in on top of supplier costs. Small group sizes keep it manageable.
Skills that help
- Planning and organising
- Negotiating with suppliers
- Writing and online marketing
- Calm when plans change
Watch out for
- Package travel rules may apply when you sell trips combining transport and accommodation; check requirements for financial protection and consider an ATOL or bonding route where relevant
- Check what insurance you need, including public liability and cover for your suppliers' failures
- Take deposits carefully and keep customer money properly accounted for
- Clear terms and conditions for cancellations and changes
- Supplier reliability, as one failure can spoil a whole trip
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: specialist group trips sold online
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a specialist group trip business?
Estimates put startup costs typically around £1,000 to £8,000, depending on your website, marketing, insurance and any financial protection you need to arrange. Supplier deposits and terms can also affect what you need upfront.
What rules apply to selling group trips online in the UK?
Check whether package travel rules apply when you combine transport and accommodation, including financial protection and any ATOL or bonding route. Check insurance, including public liability and cover for supplier failures, handle deposits carefully, and write clear terms for cancellations and changes.
How much can an online specialist trip business earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on how many trips you sell and group sizes. Planning and marketing can usually be done from a desk, at around 10 hours a week or more.
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