Niche and group travel planner

Couples, family organizers, clubs, faith groups and community organizations that want one expert to handle the details.

Supplier commissions on group and package bookings, planning fees, and sometimes free or discounted travel for the organizer when a group reaches a set size.

• Knowledge of your chosen niche or destination
• Marketing through social media or a simple website
• Handling group payments and deadlines
• Clear communication with many people

• Check your state's seller of travel registration or bond rules, which can apply to selling trips
• Errors and omissions and general liability insurance
• Handling client deposits carefully, and check how supplier payments and refunds work if a trip is canceled
• Group trips carry risk if suppliers fail or travelers drop out, so read cancellation terms and put them in writing
• Check how you pay taxes on commissions and set up an EIN or LLC if it suits you

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your website, marketing and insurance. These are estimates, so price out each item before you commit and keep some cash back for slow early months.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your niche, the size of the groups you handle and how many trips you book. Treat this as an estimate rather than a promise.

Check your state's seller of travel registration or bond rules, which can apply to selling trips. Also check errors and omissions and general liability insurance, and how deposits, supplier payments and refunds work if a trip is canceled.