Home-based travel agent

Families, couples, older travellers and groups planning holidays, weddings abroad or special trips who want someone to sort it for them.

Commission paid by the tour operator or host agency on each booking, sometimes plus a planning or service fee for complex trips.

• Good knowledge of destinations and holiday types
• Customer service and listening
• Organised, with attention to detail

• Package holiday rules and financial protection (such as ATOL or ABTA membership): check whether you need your own or can work under a host agency's
• Check how and when commission is paid, as it is often only paid after the customer has travelled
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance: check what the host agency covers
• Customers may blame you if something goes wrong abroad, so be clear about who is responsible for what

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £2,000, depending on how you set up and which host agency or travel company you work with. These are estimates, so check what any agency charges and what support it provides.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £2,500, depending on how many bookings you win and the commission on each. Check how and when commission is paid, as it is often only paid after the customer has travelled.

Check package holiday rules and financial protection, such as ATOL or ABTA membership, and whether you need your own or can work under a host agency's. Also check what insurance the agency covers and who is responsible if something goes wrong abroad.