Things to consider when choosing a Host Travel Agency

So you’ve decided you want to become an Independent Travel Agent and are wondering how to choose which host agency to work with. 

Here are our top tips and things to consider when selecting which host agency to partner with: 

1. Start-up costs and ongoing fees

When researching which host agency to join you will see that start-up fees can differ considerably, from a one off payment of £150, to some requiring several thousands of pounds upfront. Most host agencies also have a recurring monthly membership fee often around the region of £40-50 a month. 

When evaluating the fee structures available, you will want to consider your individual financial circumstances and how much you can afford to commit to, and how quickly you could see a return on your investment.

Whilst some membership fees are all inclusive, others may charge extra for training and events, so these are important to factor in when assessing the overall and on-going costs of joining a host agency. 

2. Is previous experience required 

If you are about to embark on your journey as an Independent Travel Agent you might be wondering whether previous experience is a prerequisite for joining a host agency. Whilst some agencies do require a certain period of previous experience in the travel industry, our host agency is available to all - no previous experience is required. Reputable host agencies will also provide you with access to a breadth of training and resources that support you at every stage of your journey. 

3. Contractual terms 

Some agencies may require you to commit to a fixed-term agreement or meet a minimum booking volume or revenue threshold. These are important considerations as they can  have a direct impact on a) your on-going financial commitment, b) added pressure to meet certain targets or quotas, c) your income if a tiered commission structure is in place. 

With our host agency there is no minimum fixed-term contract. If you decide it is not for you, you can cancel at any point as you are not tied into any minimum period.

There are also no quotas or targets to meet, so when you join you can take it at a pace that suits you without any pressure of needing to hit certain metrics. What’s more, some agencies also offer a 30-day money back guarantee, enabling you to explore their platforms to see if it’s the right one for you. 

4. Preferred suppliers/partners 

When joining a host agency you want to make sure that you have access to a wide network of established brands offering good value, quality and confidence to your clients. 

It’s important that your host agency has partnerships that provide access to global travel products across the full spectrum of bookings - including hotels, villas, flights, transfer, care hire and other travel essentials. Having this breadth of supplier access means you’re able to create seamless, end-to-end travel experiences rather than being restricted in what you can offer your clients. 

Our host agency has established preferred partner relationships with over 90 suppliers, ranging from well-known household travel brands to more niche, specialist operators and trade-only booking platforms. This breadth of partnerships gives our agents exceptional flexibility and depth when sourcing travel products for their clients.

5. Industry accreditations 

When considering which host agency to partner with a key consideration is what industry accreditations does the host agency have. Accreditations such as ATOL and ABTA are essential, as they provide both consumer protection and professional credibility. At a minimum you would expect any host agency you join to have at least ABTA, ATOL and IATA accreditations. 

6. Commission payments 

Commission splits vary greatly across host agencies. Some offer a 50:50 split, whilst others offer 80:20 split in favour of the advisor. Other agencies offer a more tiered structure, with set targets and quotas to be fulfilled before moving through the tiers. This can have a huge impact on the income you can earn as an Independent Travel Agent.

With our host agency you will initially retain 70% of any commission earned, with 30% being retained by the agent and 30% by the host agency. The percentage split increases to 80% once an agent has earnt £3,500 in commissions in a rolling 12-month period.

It’s also important to understand when you will receive your commission payments. The industry standard is for commissions to be paid once the travel has taken place. How quickly commissions are paid can range from 30-90 days depending on the host agencies invoicing arrangements with their preferred partners.

Some agencies pay commissions on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Our host agency pays commissions weekly (on a Wednesday) which means you can access your commission payments at more regular intervals than those agencies offering a bi-weekly or monthly payment cycle.

7. Easy Access to Booking Systems and training

Setting up a new business can be daunting, especially if it’s in an industry that’s new to you. It’s important that you have easy to access systems that help you manage your business, rather than provide an added layer of complex administration.

Our host agency’s state of the art booking platform is designed to give you complete visibility and control over your business. From one central hub you can access over 90 preferred partners, manage client bookings, track payment schedules, and access all key details associated with each booking. You can also see when commission is due, how much is payable and the status of each payment. 

The host agency’s platform also provides you with access to a comprehensive training hub 24/7, allowing you to learn at your own pace, around your lifestyle and in a way that suits your specific  learning requirements/areas of interest. 

Having everything streamlined and in one place makes it easy to manage your bookings and gives you clarity and confidence as your business grows. 

8. Community and support

Working in a home based business and in a new industry can at times feel overwhelming and lonely. A good host agency should provide you with a supportive network who you can reach out to when you need them, as well as the opportunity to feel part of a team. 

When you join us you will have: 

• Access to a mentor 
• In-person or team meet ups / events 
• WhatsApp groups / forums for agents 
• Training calls / drop in sessions 

The above tools will help you to feel part of a wider community and are important as they can provide valuable support and a source of guidance. 

At Golden Hour Travel Collective we pride ourselves on being a friendly, approachable and supportive team who share knowledge (there’s no gate keeping here), celebrate achievements and provide guidance every step of the way. We’re committed to helping you build confidence, expand your skills and grow your business.  

9. Reputation

When starting out it is important that you opt for a reputable and well established host agency. An agency that has been around for a number of years is likely to have proven financial stability, strong supplier relationships and credibility within the industry. All of these are important factors as you want to have confidence in the host agency you join whilst building your business. 

Our host agency has been established for nearly 35 years and has built strong, trusted relationships with industry-leading brands. We are award-winning, highly reputable and achieved over $1 billion in sales in 2025. When you join us, it’s fair to say you’ll be partnered with a thriving and continually growing host agency that’s going from strength to strength. 

What can I expect from Golden Hour Travel Collective? 

Our focus is on helping new agents build strong foundations so that their businesses will thrive. 

We are not a host agency, but a team backed by one of the best in the industry. 

When you join us you will have access to our one to one mentorship, as well as a host agency offering:

1. Over 35 years industry experience 
2. ABTA/ATOL protection 
3. Over 90 reputable preferred suppliers - covering world-wide travel
4. Low start up costs with no fixed term contract 
5. 24/7 access to an extensive training library 
6. 1-2-1 mentorship calls
7. A supportive WhatsApp community of active agents 
8. UK and US support - the ability to grow internationally  
9. No set hours or quotas - the ability to work entirely flexibly to suit your existing lifestyle and commitments. 

We’ve helped all types of people from part-time to full-time workers and retirees to build travel businesses that fit around their lifestyles. Whether it’s booking for personal travel, friends, family or a full blown full-time travel agency you’re looking to build, we are here to help you every step of the way.