Let’s face it—travel homeworking can sound too good to be true. Work from home, book holidays, and earn commission? For many, it conjures up images of sipping lattes in your pyjamas while sales roll in. But there are just as many travel homeworking myths floating around that confuse or discourage new starters. Some are harmless. Others, unfortunately, are rooted in misleading or outdated business models.
This article busts the most common misconceptions and reveals the real story behind building a successful home-based travel business in the UK.
Myth 1: Travel Homeworking Is a Pyramid Scheme
Reality: Not all travel homeworking models are created equal.
There are schemes that focus more on recruiting people than actually selling holidays—and that’s where the negative reputation comes from. But a legitimate travel homeworking model puts the client first, not the downline. At Independent Travel Consultants, we don’t earn money by signing up new people. We only succeed when you make bookings.
No recruitment targets. No pressure to sell to your mates. Just real training, support, and earnings.
Myth 2: You Have to Be a Salesperson to Succeed
Reality: People buy from people, not sales scripts.
Being a travel consultant is more about relationships than hard selling. If you’re warm, trustworthy, and a good listener, you’re already halfway there. Most of our successful consultants had no sales background. They just cared about getting it right for their clients—and that led to repeat bookings, referrals, and word-of-mouth success.
Myth 3: You Need Industry Experience
Reality: Experience helps, but it's not essential.
Many homeworking companies talk about training, but don’t offer much beyond a login and a few PDFs. We’re different. Whether you’ve travelled the world or never booked a flight, our one-to-one training, weekly calls, and peer support groups make sure you never feel out of your depth. You learn by doing—with someone beside you every step of the way.
If you’re new to self-employment, this guide from Citizens Advice explains your rights and obligations in plain English.
Myth 4: You’ll Only Earn Pocket Money
Reality: Your income depends on your effort and support.
Some platforms promise "unlimited income" but pay peanuts. Others offer high earnings but charge thousands upfront. Our model is different:
- No joining fees
- 80% commission as standard
- 85% on repeat bookings
- 90% once you hit £40,000 gross commission in a year
We don’t cap your earnings, and we don’t take a bigger slice just because you’re new.
Myth 5: It's All Booking Holidays Online
Reality: There’s so much more to it than that.
Yes, you’ll research and book holidays. But you’ll also:
- Build relationships with clients
- Create quotes and bespoke itineraries
- Work with trusted UK suppliers
- Keep up to date with travel trends and training
You’re not a booking engine. You’re a trusted advisor, offering protection, expertise, and a human touch.
Myth 6: You’re On Your Own
Reality: The right company won’t leave you to sink or swim.
Some homeworkers report feeling abandoned after sign-up. That’s not our style. From day one, we provide:
- Structured training
- Weekly support calls
- A community of like-minded agents
- Access to over 200 trusted suppliers
You’re in business
for yourself, not
by yourself.
Myth 7: It Costs Thousands to Get Started
Reality: It shouldn’t. And it doesn’t with us.
We’ve seen some platforms charge joining fees upwards of £2,000—often just for access to basic tools. We believe that sets people up to fail.
At Independent Travel Consultants:
- There’s no joining fee
- You pay just £50/month for ongoing management
- You keep the majority of your commission
We make travel homeworking accessible, not exclusive.
Jamie Says:
"When I first looked at starting in travel, the online noise was overwhelming. One site promised the world for a huge fee. Another seemed more focused on getting me to recruit friends than helping clients. That’s why I created Independent Travel Consultants: to strip away the hype and give people a genuine way to build something meaningful. No pressure, no gimmicks—just real support and honest opportunity."
What Makes Independent Travel Consultants Different?
- ✅ No joining fees or hidden costs
- ✅ High commission: 80–90% depending on bookings
- ✅ Full ATOL and PTS protection for your clients
- ✅ Training that starts with you, not a script
- ✅ You never need to recruit others to earn
- ✅ Your own brand, your own pace, your own business
We’re not here to sell you a dream. We’re here to help you build a sustainable reality.
Let’s Replace Myths with Momentum
The biggest myth of all? That travel homeworking isn’t a "real job."
It is.
Our consultants are proof that you can build a profitable, flexible business around your life—with the right people beside you. No fluff. No nonsense. Just a proven path to success in travel.
If you’re ready to ditch the myths and start your journey the right way, we’re ready to help you.
