They act as agents on behalf of travel suppliers such as airlines and hotels, sell package holidays on behalf of tour operators and often provide related services such as currency exchange, car rental, travel insurance and advice about visas, passports and vaccinations.

Travel agents face particular concerns due to currency fluctuations and falling confidence in booking travel abroad, due to increasing uncertainty relating to Brexit. Industry commentators have also warned of potential disruption to flights and to expected changes in financial regulations and payment mechanisms that could occur and affect both travel agents and tour operators if or when the UK leaves the European Union.

The provision of package holidays is strictly regulated under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (the 2018 PTRs). Travel agents who book and sell flights must hold an Air Travel Organisers’ Licence (ATOL).

Travel agents should not be confused with tour operators. While travel agents act as agents for suppliers, tour operators provide package holidays and act as the principal in relation to bookings made by their customers. For more information about tour operators, see our guide, Tour Operator.

The UK travel industry is dominated by international providers, such as TUI Group, which often operate as both travel agents and tour operators. Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel agency, has more than 180 branches and 240 travel agents who work from home, with a reported an annual turnover of around £1 billion in 2019.

This profile provides information about starting up and trading as an independent travel agent. It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.