Neighborhood flight ticket and travel shop

Families and individuals traveling internationally, students, small businesses and community groups who prefer to book in person.

Booking and service fees on each ticket, commissions or markups from consolidators and package suppliers, and add-on services such as travel insurance referrals and group bookings.

• Knowledge of international routes and fares
• Customer service, ideally in a second language
• Handling payments and record-keeping accurately
• Local networking and marketing

• Check your state's seller of travel rules, which can require registration, bonding or a trust account
• Accreditation (such as ARC or IATA) has financial and security requirements, a host agency or consolidator can be a lower-cost way to start
• Local business license, zoning and sales tax questions, check with your city or county and state
• Client money handling and refunds, keep clear records and written terms
• General liability and errors and omissions insurance
• Airline schedule changes and cancellations can mean unpaid time rebooking customers

Startup costs typically range around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on the storefront, fit-out, systems and whether you work through a host agency or consolidator, which can be a lower-cost way to start.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your location, the community you serve and how many bookings you handle. Rebooking after cancellations can mean unpaid time.

Check your state's seller of travel rules, which can require registration, bonding or a trust account. Also check accreditation requirements (such as ARC or IATA), local business license, zoning and sales tax rules, and errors and omissions insurance.