If you’ve ever dreamed of building a flexible career around your passion for travel, then travel home working might be the perfect fit. More and more people are choosing to become independent travel consultants, running their own business from home while enjoying the support of an established travel network. This guide explores everything you need to know about working from home in travel — from how it works, to what you’ll earn, and why The Independent Travel Consultants is different from the rest.
Why Travel Home Working Is Growing in the UK
The travel industry has changed dramatically over the past decade. With rising demand for personalised service and flexible working opportunities, travel home working has become one of the fastest-growing ways to start a career in travel.
Instead of being tied to a high-street shop or call centre, homeworkers enjoy the freedom to work when and how they want, serving clients from their laptop, phone, or even while travelling themselves.
The pandemic also accelerated this shift. Customers now expect one-to-one advice, tailored itineraries, and reassurance that online-only providers simply can’t give. Independent travel consultants are perfectly positioned to meet this need — offering the security of booking through a fully protected company while giving a truly personal service.
What Is Travel Home Working?
Travel home working means running your own travel business from home as part of a wider travel agency or network. You are self-employed, but you benefit from:
- ATOL & financial protection (essential for customer confidence)
- Access to hundreds of suppliers across holidays, flights, cruises, and tours
- Commission on bookings made for clients
- Training, mentoring, and back-office support from the network you join
Think of it as combining the independence of running your own business with the security of being part of an established brand. At The Independent Travel Consultants, you have the freedom to specialise in your niche — from luxury honeymoons to family holidays — while knowing you’re backed by industry expertise and trusted suppliers.
Who Is Travel Home Working For?
One of the biggest myths is that only people with years of travel agency experience can succeed. While experience is an advantage, many of the most successful homeworkers actually come from completely different industries. What they share are key skills such as:
- Strong customer service and people skills
- Passion for travel and discovering destinations
- Ability to learn and adapt quickly
- Motivation to build their own business
We often say:
if you can sell, care for customers, and love travel — we can teach you the rest.
How Much Can You Earn in Travel Home Working?
Earnings in travel home working vary depending on the time, effort, and marketing you put in. Most independent consultants earn through commission on bookings. For example, if you book a £5,000 family holiday with a 12% commission rate, you could earn £600 from that one booking.
Some consultants treat travel home working as a part-time income stream alongside another job. Others go full-time and build six-figure businesses. At The Independent Travel Consultants, we’re transparent about commissions and costs, so you know exactly what to expect before you start.
The Benefits of Travel Home Working
- Flexibility: Work from anywhere — your home office, a café, or while travelling.
- Work–life balance: Fit your business around your family and lifestyle.
- Earning potential: The harder you work, the more you can earn.
- Passion-driven: Sell holidays you’re genuinely excited about.
- Community: Join a network of like-minded homeworkers who support each other.
Challenges of Travel Home Working (and How to Overcome Them)
Like any self-employed career, there are challenges. You’ll need to be self-motivated, resilient when sales are slow, and comfortable building a client base from scratch. Some networks overpromise and underdeliver, charging high fees without giving the support you need.
This is where The Independent Travel Consultants stands apart. We provide transparent costs, real training, ongoing mentoring, and a supportive community.
You’re never left to figure it out alone — we want you to succeed, because your success is our success.
Jamie Says:
"When I started building The Independent Travel Consultants, I wanted to create something different from the big-name homeworking franchises. Too many put profit before people. Here, our consultants have a real voice in shaping the brand. We’re building a network where every member feels valued, supported, and inspired to succeed. If you’ve ever thought ‘could I really do this?’, the answer is yes — and we’ll be with you every step of the way."
Protections When You Join Us
When you become part of The Independent Travel Consultants, your clients benefit from the same protections as if they booked through a high-street agency, including:
- Full ATOL protection for flight-inclusive packages
- Membership of Protected Trust Services for financial security
- Supplier failure insurance included in every package
- Expert support in compliance, safeguarding, and best practice
This gives you complete peace of mind that you’re running a compliant and trustworthy business.
Training and Support
Starting out might feel daunting, but our training is designed to make you confident from day one. You’ll learn:
- How to handle enquiries and convert them into bookings
- Understanding commission, payments, and suppliers
- Customer service best practice
- Marketing skills to build your client base
- Compliance, safeguarding, and financial protections
We also provide one-to-one mentoring, access to live supplier webinars, and regular team training sessions.
Building Your Client Base
Success in travel home working depends on clients. We’ll guide you through:
- Social media marketing strategies
- Networking in your community (schools, clubs, workplaces)
- Referral schemes to turn one client into many
- Specialisation — finding a niche such as cruises, LGBT+ travel, or luxury honeymoons
Unlike some networks, we don’t expect you to “sell to your friends and family.” We help you build a sustainable business with repeat and referral clients.
Why The Independent Travel Consultants Is Different
- We listen: Consultants help shape how our network grows.
- We’re transparent: No hidden costs, no confusing contracts.
- We support newcomers: You don’t need to be an ex-travel agent to join.
- We’re part of the Jamie Wake Travel family: Backed by experience, innovation, and trusted travel brands.
Getting Started in Travel Home Working
The first step is simply reaching out for a chat. We’ll talk through your goals, explain the costs and commissions clearly, and help you decide if this is the right fit.
Travel home working isn’t just a job — it’s a lifestyle. It’s about taking control of your future, building something you’re proud of, and making travel your business.
GET IN TOUNCH TODAY
If you’re ready to explore whether travel home working is right for you, we’d love to help. Speak to The Independent Travel Consultants today — call us or complete our quick
enquiry form, and let’s start building your future in travel together.
