tourist travel business

We earn commissions if you shop through the links below.  Read more

21 Tourism and Travel Business Ideas

Back to Business Ideas Categories

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on July 21, 2022 Updated on July 4, 2024

The tourism industry is massive and diverse, offering many opportunities for sharp entrepreneurs. You could start a travel agency, a campground, a hotel, or a concierge service. Explore many more excellent tourism and travel related business ideas in our list below.

1. Travel Agency

If you love to travel and are always planning your next trip, starting a travel agency might be the perfect career choice. It’s a great way to share your love and knowledge of travel, and it can be very lucrative.

If you have the resources, starting a travel agency business can be a breeze. But first, you need to identify your target market. Will you focus on domestic or international travel? A lot of Americans go on short trips for vacation or business purposes, providing an opportunity for travel agencies to earn money. Once you find your niche and draw up a business plan, you should work on establishing your brand and promoting it to find clients.

2. Nightclub

Do you enjoy late nights on the town? If so, starting a club might be right up your alley. Before you open your club, it’s important to know that the industry is heavily regulated, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption. You’ll need to meet both state and local regulations and licensing requirements so it’s best to inquire about the details from your local authorities first.

Next, it’s a good idea to research the market and find out what other clubs in your area are offering. You’ll have to innovate and come up with a unique selling proposition and a creative marketing plan for your club to attract customers. With these in place, your club can be very profitable.

3. Travel Photography

Are you an amateur photographer who loves snapping great images? Photography in the US is an $11 billion industry expected to see steady growth in the coming years, so now would be a great time to stretch your entrepreneurial wings and give it a shot. You could focus on travel photography, if that’s your passion, and give the world beautiful photos while also seeing the world. You can capture landscapes, people, cultures, customs, and history.

Assuming you already have a professional-level camera, you’ll just need some great editing software and to build a website showing off your portfolio and listing your prices and services. Instagram and Pinterest are perfect social media networks for showing your travel photography.

If you’ve stayed in an Airbnb, you probably know how sweet it is to have a home away from home! This is why the homestay segment of the hotel and lodgings market has seen explosive growth in recent years, with Airbnb leading the way. Renting out your home as an Airbnb is an easy and flexible way to earn income, whether you’re looking for a little extra money or to build a serious business. 

The first step is to make sure your home or apartment can be rented out for short-term stays. In many areas today, there are laws either banning Airbnb rentals or limiting them to a certain share of local units. If your home clears that hurdle and is in an area with some tourist appeal, you’re already halfway there. If your apartment fails to meet one of these requirements, you might want to look into purchasing a home or apartment in an appealing destination, which you could then develop into a successful Airbnb. 

Whichever approach you choose, the most important step is delivering fantastic service to your guests. If you can achieve Superhost status, you’ll be well on your way to Airbnb success.

5. Translation Business

Demand for translation services is expected to grow as more companies seek to capture or increase their share of the global market. Translation businesses help translate documents, localize travel and city guide websites, and interpret speech, including sign language. If you’re thinking of starting a translation business, you’re not alone. But if you have the skills and the right talents and tools, you could edge out the competition. 

In this internet age, finding translators who can work remotely across the globe has become easier. Promoting diversity among your staff could also be good for your business because you’ll be able to offer translation services for more languages. Do the paperwork to register your business, keep yourself updated with the latest technologies, promote your services, and you should be able to gain traction as soon as you start operating.

6. Bed and Breakfast

Many Americans still prefer to stay in a traditional B&B for the unique hospitality, homemade food, and fascinating local insights. When starting a B&B, it’s important to be aware of the latest industry trends. For example, many guests prefer a facility that offers live entertainment or is located close to tourist attractions. It’s also to your advantage to research the market and see what features and services are being offered by the competition. Be innovative in coming up with ways to differentiate your business. Running a bed and breakfast is not easy, but it can be very rewarding if you play your cards right. 

7. Glamping

A decade ago nobody had heard the word glamping, which is short for “glamorous camping”. Today it’s a nearly $3.1 billion global industry and among the fastest-growing segments of the travel and hospitality market, expected to more than double by 2030. If you have a bit of land in an appealing location, or have the funds to purchase such a plot, you could start your own glamping business and make a good living offering luxury experiences to discerning travelers.

There will be some serious work involved. In addition to acquiring the property, you’ll need to outfit it with all the bells and whistles — from tents and teepees to high-end beds, furniture, lighting and air-conditioning and heating units. If your location is on the water, you could boost your revenue by also offering sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and more. But before you get started, this is a new and fast-evolving industry, so it’s best to take the time to research the market and learn the latest trends before diving in.

8. Jet Ski Rental

Do you like having fun out on the water? Well, so does everybody else! That’s why starting a jet ski business is almost always a great idea. The global personal watercraft market is worth $1.6 trillion and expected to expand an impressive 50% by 2027. Right now is a great time to start a jet ski business, bring good times to your community and ride the market expansion to great success. 

Getting there will require a significant investment. You’ll need to spend about $25,000 to get your first few jet skis, plus a rental facility on the water and permits and licensing fees. Of course, you’ll also need to live near an appealing body of water, preferably one that’s enjoyable for more than a few months of the year. Finally, you will want to get good insurance, because jet skis are as dangerous as they are fun.

Once that’s all settled, just start advertising on local outlets and events, posting on relevant social media groups and online vacation platforms. You’ll have your first few customers in no time, and soon be cruising toward success.

9. Campground

Do you love the outdoors? If so, setting up a campground could be the perfect way to start your entrepreneurial journey. The recent study found that an estimated 84.8 million Americans went camping in 2023, and 5.5 million of those were first-time campers.

Your biggest challenge in starting a campground is likely to be finding a suitable location. The most visited campgrounds in the US are in state parks, near bodies of water, surrounded by wilderness, or in the mountains. Once you find an ideal campsite, you’ll need to comply with licensing, zoning, and other legal requirements. Before you launch your business, it’s wise to research the market and find out what other campgrounds are offering. With careful planning and a creative marketing strategy, your campground can give competing sites a run for their money.

10. Pet Sitting

You’d probably never guess that pet sitting is a $2.4 billion industry , but it is indeed. People love their pets, and will spend whatever it takes to ensure they’re taken care of when they are away. The pet sitting market is projected to see impressive growth through 2030, so if you’re an animal lover, now is the perfect time to start your own pet sitting business and ride that wave to serious profits. 

The first step is to decide which type of pets you’ll care for. Do you have more experience with dogs or cats? Are you OK with snakes? Pigs? Once you’ve got that nailed down, you’ll just need to buy some pet toys and supplies and offer your services on a gigs site like TaskRabbit. It’s a good idea to reach out to friends, family and work-related contacts and acquaintances. If you’re able to generate an initial client or two from your own personal network, and provide them with great service, you’ll have a strong reference to promote your services and start building a successful business.

11. Spa Salon

If you’re a massage therapist or esthetician, you could open a beauty salon, nail spa, luxury spa, massage studio, or even a mobile spa, and make people feel better while making a good living.  

You will likely need to get licensed, which can take some doing, and deliver excellent services to compete in an increasingly competitive and saturated market. Another crucial aspect will be location — your spa should be somewhere with steady traffic. Or you could go the mobile spa route and make house calls, bringing your massage and therapeutic services to your clients. This is more convenient for them, which means you can charge a higher rate, despite having lower overhead.

There are many elements to consider for your spa business, but what is not in doubt are your chances of success if you’re determined and can deliver healing services.

12. Scooter Rental

With gas prices going up, more and more Americans are turning to cheaper, more eco-friendly options for their commute and for seeing the city. Scooters cost less than cars and run on electricity. Over the past decade, Americans took a third of a billion trips on shared bikes and scooters. That’s a huge number, and it’s expected to increase sharply in the next few years. Considering this, a scooter rental business is a smart choice.

But first, it’s important to understand that scooters are used primarily as a transport option for short distances. Setting up this kind of business requires a huge upfront investment because you might have to purchase some scooters, unless you can lease them. You’ve need to make sure you have all the necessary permits and insurance in place before opening.

Once you have everything you need, it’s a good idea to work on a marketing plan. You can use social media, print ads, and word-of-mouth to get the word out about your new venture.

13. Party Bus

Ready to party? As the pandemic recedes, everybody’s getting back out there to have a good time. For a lot of people that means renting out a party bus and dancing and drinking the night away while cruising down the streets.

Starting your own party bus business will require considerable investment. The major cost will be, of course, the bus itself. Hopefully you’ll be able to find a reliable one at a reasonable price and then deck it out with all the trimmings, from a bar and disco ball to a DJ booth and more. Once you’ve done some marketing and gotten the word out you’ll be able to charge as much as $700 per night, so it shouldn’t take too long before you see a major return on your investment. 

Just be sure to get all your licenses, permits and insurance — the last thing you want is for the party to get parked on the curb.

14. Car Rental

With some hard work and determination, you could start your own car rental business and provide travelers the transport they need while grabbing your share of a growing $30 billion US market .  

Keep in mind that this is a competitive industry, which means you’ll need to find ways to stand out, such as with deep discounts or a unique selection of cars. Speaking of which, you’ll also need to lay out a sizable investment to get your initial fleet of four to five cars. Finally, it’s crucial that you meet all the licensing and insurance requirements or your business could face severe fines, or worse.

But if you’re able to clear these hurdles, there’s a good chance your car rental business will soon be cruising down easy street.

15. Boat Rental

Who doesn’t love a day out on the water? There are so many things to do. from skiing and tubing to cruising, socializing, swimming and just taking in the sun. That’s why boat rentals are a $5.3 billion US industry expected to see smooth sailing and steady growth in the years ahead. If you like spending time outdoors, you could start your own boat rental business and help people enjoy their time off while making a good living. 

There are several possible constraints. For one, you should live near a sizable body of water, and find an available access point or marina to base your operations. Second, you’ll likely need to accept the seasonal nature of this line of work, which in most areas of the US will only bring in revenue for 6-7 months of the year. Finally, getting started will require a significant investment, as appealing, rentable boats do not come cheap. 

But if you’re OK with all this, and able to acquire the necessary permits and insurance, once you start putting boaters on the water you’ll be cruising straight toward success.

16. Bike Rental

As travel regains steam and more workers return to the office, demand for bike rental for last-mile connections is sure to increase. If you’re thinking of starting your own business, a bike-share outfit or bike rental shop could be a great option. The US bike rental industry is projected to grow in the next five years amid a bike-share boom, driven in part by environmental concerns.

There are a few things you need to consider before starting a bike rental business. Is there a market for bike rental in your area? What kind of bikes should you offer? How many bikes should you start with? You will find the answers to these questions as you research the market. It is also important to comply with all the legal and regulatory requirements and to come up with a good marketing plan. One option is to place bike docks near subway stations and major bus stops.

17. RV Rental

RVing , or traveling in a recreational vehicle, is a popular way of exploring the US with family and friends. It’s showing no signs of slowing as more than 70 million Americans are expected to go on road trips in an RV they rent, own, or borrow, according to the RV Industry Association. You could start an RV rental business and tap into this exciting travel market.

You can either invest in a fleet of RVs, which would require a hefty investment, or you can just list your RV on an online marketplace like Outdoorsy. Before setting your rates, it’s a good idea to scope out the market and find out what your competitors are charging. You’ll have to factor in insurance and other costs in order to make a profit.

Finally, it’s important to keep your RVs well-maintained to attract customers, most of whom prefer to rent out new units. With all this in place, your RV rental business will making good money in no time.

18. Kayak Rental

As more people explore the outdoors in a post-pandemic world, a kayak business makes sense. It’s an eco-friendly way to help travelers enjoy their time off while getting some exercise and enjoying the great outdoors. The global kayak accessories market size was $164.2 million in 2020 and will touch $214 million by 2027. So, why not start a kayak rental business now?

Aside from offering kayaks for rent, you could also also offer apparel and helmets, storage bags, seats, life jackets, and safety gear. Selecting the location of your shop is important. It will have to be near the coast, a river or a lake, and with steady foot traffic. You’ll need a substantial investment to set up your shop. Finally, it’s a good idea to promote your business and let people know about your offerings.

Considering all the ride-sharing apps out there, you might be surprised to learn that old-school taxis are not only surviving, but doing quite well. The US taxi and limo market is worth more than $41.7 billion and expected to see steady growth in the coming years. If you enjoy driving and meeting new people, starting a taxi business might be the right move for you. 

Getting started will require some real effort and investment. You’ll need to buy a reliable car, if you don’t already have one, plus reliable insurance and all the necessary permits. In some cities the car hire license can be a major expense, for instance a New York City taxi medallion costs $80,000. In other places, like $300 in Cleveland, not so much. Once you’ve all set up, it’s a good idea to build a website so people can find you, and you might want to offer an app as well, as most car services nowadays offer on-demand ordering. 

Finally, get creative with your marketing to stand out in a competitive market, provide excellent service and steady driving to your first few clients, and the good reviews and revenues should start pouring in.

20. RV Park

The wanderlust spirit and a rise in road-tripping have amplified the allure of RV travel. Capitalizing on this trend, starting an RV park presents a golden opportunity in the travel business sector. Such parks cater to a growing demographic of explorers seeking the comfort of their RVs while embracing the freedom of the open road. With the right amenities and a strategic location, an RV park can be a haven for both short-term travelers and long-term nomads.

Location is paramount, ideally near popular tourist spots or natural attractions. Additionally, ensuring modern facilities, security, and possibly offering unique experiences or events can differentiate your park from competitors. As travel patterns evolve, an RV park can offer travelers a blend of adventure and convenience, making it a profitable and sustainable business venture.

21. Tour Operator

Tour operator business thrives on curating unique experiences, offering tailored packages, and ensuring travelers get the best out of their journeys. Unlike general travel agencies, tour operators control and manage the specifics of the trip, right from itinerary planning to the on-ground execution. This means creating partnerships with local businesses, ensuring safety standards, and offering a seamless travel experience to clients.

In today’s digital age, a tour operator’s success doesn’t just hinge on local networking, but also on a strong online presence. Reviews, testimonials, and digital marketing strategies play a pivotal role in attracting potential customers. Whether one chooses to cater to adventure seekers, history enthusiasts, or luxury travelers, the key is to differentiate, maintain high service standards, and keep evolving with the dynamic travel industry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Travel Agency
• Travel Photography
• Translation Business
• Bed and Breakfast
• Jet Ski Rental
• Pet Sitting
• Scooter Rental
• Boat Rental
• Bike Rental
• Kayak Rental
• Tour Operator

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Featured resources.

12 Profitable Lake Business Ideas to Start Today

Esther Strauss

Published on December 1, 2022

Fresh air, peace of mind, scenic views, and lots of fun — that’s lake life in a nutshell, which is why so many people want to take part. ...

37 Profitable Summer Business Ideas for a Hot Season

Carolyn Young

Published on July 21, 2022

Summer means taking a break, enjoying outdoor leisure, going to a summer camp, and BBQ’ing in the backyard. For smart entrepreneurs, it alsome ...

21 Profitable Beach Business Ideas for a Sunny Future

David Lepeska

So you live near a beach. Lucky you! You can go swimming or walk barefoot in the sand any time you like. Even better, you could also start abusiness ...

No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

12 Travel Business Ideas

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If there is one thing most people can agree on, it’s that traveling is one of life’s great pleasures. Exploring new cultures, visiting the world’s great wonders, spending days following your instincts and trying exotic foods — there’s a lot to love about discovering new places.

If you want to take your love of travel to the next level and start a business to serve your like-minded wanderlusters, you should consider these fun and profitable travel business ideas.

What is a travel business?

There are two overarching types of travel businesses worth considering. First, you could think about starting a business that provides services or goods for travelers — running a hotel, for example. The second option is to start a business that you can run from anywhere in the world while you yourself travel. In many cases, this type of business revolves around travel, such as working as a travel writer and writing stories about your latest adventures.

What makes a travel business idea a good one?

A good travel business should combine two things: reliability and excitement. When you run a travel business, your clients need to be able to trust you. They need to feel confident that the tour group you run is legitimate and will show them the best sites. Or that the blog you run about the best inns on the east coast actually gives honest reviews.

At the same time, you need to offer services or create content that excites your customers. Introduce them to sights off the beaten path. Help them unwind and relax while on their vacation. Find a way to create trust amongst your customer base while offering them an experience they can’t find anywhere else.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

12 travel business ideas for 2021

If you’re unsure of what type of travel business ideas could work for you, keep reading for some popular options. These ideas range widely and you should put your own creative spin on them. At the end of the day, think back to your passion for traveling. What services or products have made the most difference to you on past trips? What did you feel was missing? Can you find a way to make a living on the road while capitalizing on your skillset? Chances are, you have more ideas at the ready than you think.

1. Modernized bed and breakfast

B&Bs have been popular for decades — they outlive trends and are clearly here to stay. But why not step things up a notch and find a way to modernize the bed and breakfast experience a little bit? Make sure your rooms are outfitted with nice televisions so guests can enjoy a movie night in their cozy room. Offer unique culinary experiences. Decorate in a way that feels timeless but fresh at the same time. A bed and breakfast is a smaller operation than a hotel and is a great way to break into the hospitality business. If you need a little help funding your bed and breakfast, consider one of these financing options.

2. Off-the-beaten-path tour guide

Tour groups are a dime a dozen. But if you can offer a unique tour, you’ll be able to stand out from the competition. What do you love about your city? Maybe you can find the best coffee, chocolate, or salty treats at your local shops and restaurants. Organize a foodie tour of your town that highlights how your local delicacies are made. Of course, you’ll have to include tastes of all the local treats.

Or consider organizing a tour of some lesser-known sites. Surely there is a natural activity or historical site that tourists haven’t caught onto yet. If you can give your travelers a taste of local life or make them feel like they’ve uncovered something special, then your tour guide business will thrive. Maybe some locals will even join in on the fun.

3. Glamping

Here’s a fun fact for you: By 2025, experts estimate the glamping market in the United States alone is projected to reach a revenue of around $1 billion. It sounds like the great outdoors is getting a little fancier. What exactly is glamping? Glamorous camping.

Glamping combines nature with the comforts of home, and usually Champagne. That’s right, after a long day of hiking or river rafting, campers can return to decked-out campsites that offer spa treatments, wine and gourmet meals. The perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. If you can create a campsite that melds the best parts of nature with resort living, you’ll be in business.

4. Remote travel agent

Long gone are the days of travel agent offices. The truth is, thanks to the internet it’s easier than ever to plan a trip. Anyone with a computer can choose between hundreds of flights, hotels and restaurant reservations. The ease of access is great, but the time it takes to weed through those options might not be available to everyone. This is where a remote travel agent comes in.

You’ll work out of your own home which saves the customer costs on overhead expenses. For a more affordable price, remote travel agents can help busy travelers plan their next vacation from anywhere in the world. Help them book the best hotels, unique activities and provide them with all of their important travel bookings and documentation.

5. Travel consultant

Even though their job titles sound similar, a travel consultant is different than a travel agent. A travel consultant usually specializes in solving complex travel issues. For example, they may specialize in helping adoptive parents travel abroad to make the task of adopting a child from a foreign country run smoothly. Or they might assist businesses with complex assignments like learning how to cater to new cultures during business deals. Travel consultants generally focus less on tourism and more on helping iron out logistical issues.

6. Travel photographer

As a travel photographer, you’ll have plenty of options for making money off your passions for travel and photography. You can sell photos taken while traveling to newspapers, magazines and websites. Or you can sell your favorite shots in your own online shop. You could license your gorgeous photos of Paris or Peru to companies that create goods like calendars or art prints. Perhaps you want to help create stock photography for big companies like Getty Images. Point being, we live in a very visual world and there are plenty of options for starting a travel photography business.

7. Create a haunted attraction

Want a surefire way to make sure your hotel or guided tour drum up enough business? The solution is easy: Make it haunted. This may seem like a business better suited for Halloween time, but people are ready to get their scare on year-round. These haunted attractions do particularly well in historic locations like towns on the east coast where there are plenty of ghost stories to go around. Do some research and then let your imagination take care of the rest. You might want to load up on business insurance just in case your haunted attraction is too scary.

8. Teach cultural classes

It’s time to share your unique culture with the world. Offer fun classes for tourists that will make them feel like locals, whether that be a Creole cooking class or an art class that captures a local style of painting. Help tourists pick up a skill that they won’t learn anywhere else, like how to make an authentic cup of Turkish coffee or bake a truly Parisian croissant.

9. House or pet sitting

Sometimes a travel business does its best work when helping travelers look after what they left behind. House or pet sitting can be a great side hustle to take on if you’re looking for a little extra cash. Of course, you could always start a larger business like a kennel that takes care of beloved pets while their owners are jet-setting around the world. Some people are even willing to pay for plant hotels that keep their plants in tiptop shape until they return from vacation. Consider a travel business that will give your customers peace of mind while they are far from home.

10. Travel blogger

You’ve traveled the world and, boy, do you have some good stories to tell. So why don’t you then? By starting a travel blog, you can make money by sharing your experiences. You can offer up travel advice, share photos from your journey and review restaurants and hotels. Once your blog picks up some steam (aka gets a decent amount of pageviews and monthly visitors) you’ll be able to make money from ads hosted on your website, sign up for affiliate programs, or create sponsored content for brands. If this sounds like your ideal business, this guide can help you start a travel blog.

11. Ecotourism

Sustainability is all the rage right now and for good reason. It makes sense that those who value exploring the world want to keep it safe. Which is why ecotourism (also known as green tourism) is such a potentially profitable idea. Essentially, ecotourism allows travelers to learn about local culture and wildlife in a low-impact way.

Generally, these types of tours or services (like hotels) try to minimize the impact of traveling while giving tourists the education and tools to help positively impact the environment and community they visit. Many travelers are even willing to spend more on hotels if they are environmentally friendly. If you can find a way to show tourists a good time while helping them make a positive impact, you’re sure to have a popular business on your hands in no time.

LLC Formation

12. Home rentals

Do you have a gorgeous pool house just waiting to be turned into an oasis for weary travelers? Consider starting a home rental business. You can list any rooms in your house that are available to rent out (or even your entire house if you’re headed out of town yourself) on home rental websites like Airbnb or HomeAway. If you live in a popular area where hotels are particularly pricey, then you may be able to fetch a pretty penny by allowing customers to rent rooms in your home.

The best part is, you get to set your price. You only have to rent to people who can meet your price and who you think would be a good tenant (Hint: They need as many good reviews as you do). This can be an ideal business for bringing in extra money to help fund your next vacation. Just make sure that your town, apartment complex, or homeowners association allows you to rent out your property and that you’re following proper regulations.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

40 Travel and Hospitality Business Ideas

From providing lodging to leading guided tours, the opportunities for success in the travel and hospitality industry are numerous. Your potential tourism business can take many different forms as the commodities of traveling are multifaceted and broad.

Whatever your motivation for wanting to begin your entrepreneurial journey T ravel business ideas and Hospitality business ideas are a great place to start!

Best Travel and Hospitality Business Ideas for 2020

1. airbnb business.

An Airbnb business supplies guests with a place to stay within a person’s home. Many travelers are looking for lodging which is a little more personal and unique. Airbnb rentals offer a home feel, versus that of a hotel or motel. Guests may stay as short as one or two days or extended stays up to two weeks.

An Airbnb is a great way to add some extra income, especially if you have unused rooms or lots of space in your house. You will have guests staying in your home, so you should be comfortable talking and interacting with guests. Some homeowners, who travel often, will also rent out their homes when they are out of town. This allows them to receive income and have someone watching their home when they’re not around.

Learn how to start an Airbnb business .

2. AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUSINESS

Airport shuttles transport people between the airport and either their homes, hotels, or where they parked their cars. Airport shuttles are used by business travelers, groups, families, and solo riders. The driver picks travelers up at a predetermined location and drops them off wherever necessary; typically with no more than two stops on each route. Vehicles are generally spacious, with ample room for riders to store their luggage.

Individuals possessing the drive to start their own travel business and the inclination to interact with people would be best suited for this business endeavor. Since much time is spent on the road, the entrepreneur that enjoys driving would be the ideal candidate.

Learn how to start an airport shuttle business .

3. AMUSEMENT PARK

Amusement, or theme, parks feature rides, games, and entertainment options in an outdoor or indoor venue. Customers typically pay a single entry fee for access to the entire park. The successful amusement park model focuses on the customer's entire experience, offering a wide range of services and entertainment options including parking, trams, restaurant options, water parks, roller coasters, live animal attractions, stage shows, arcade games, attractive interactive landscaping, and family-friendly fun. The larger the property you own, the more entertainment choices you are able to offer your customers.

You must be a highly motivated individual ready to sink a large initial investment into the concept, design, and implementation of your amusement park. You may need extensive knowledge in the operation of rides, restaurant and guest services, landscaping design, business practices, and have significant leadership skills.

Learn how to start an amusement park .

4. BED AND BREAKFAST

A bed and breakfast business offers travelers an alternative to hotels and motels, by combining sleeping quarters with a full breakfast. Most bed and breakfasts also promise more unique, intimate settings than other lodging options.

Anyone who enjoys hosting others may be well-suited for owning a bed and breakfast business because guests come to B&Bs for a level of hospitality that hotels and motels don’t provide. Business owners should like talking with people, cooking meals, and making guests feel comfortable.

Learn how to start a bed and breakfast .

5. BIKE RENTAL BUSINESS

Bike rental businesses give customers—who are often, but not necessarily, tourists—bicycles for a short period. Bikes are generally rented for a few hours to recreationally explore the locality. But the customer base might also consist of college students on campus or others who rent for practical reasons. Your business might be a freestanding shop, part of a bike sales and service operation or associated with a hotel or other hospitality business.

Bike rental business owners should be mechanically adept since customers can be hard on bikes. Also, since bikes are often rented to explore the immediate area, you should be highly familiar with your home base and able to suggest tourist attractions. You should have an engaging personality and be motivated to deliver exceptional customer service.

Learn how to start a bike rental business .

6. BIKE TOUR COMPANY

Do you love exploring your home town or popular tourist destinations on your bike? Does it really make your day when you bring a friend along to see the sights? Operating a bike tour company may be right up your alley. Whether you are simply renting bicycles and maps for patrons to use on their own or providing week-long personalized guided tours that include meals and lodging, this can be a rewarding travel business.

If you are going to run a one-man show, you will need to be physically fit, have fantastic people skills, and enjoy managing the many facets of your business. If you are operating a large tourist attraction, the right owner will have a good background in business management with a focus on the service industry.

Learn how to start a bike tour company .

7. BOUTIQUE TOUR BUSINESS

This travel business idea differs from a traditional tour guide service in that the focus is not on the popular tourist destinations. Instead, it focuses more on unique and special experiences. Both local residents and tourists enjoy these types of tours/parties.

People like to do things that feel more authentic and consistent with what locals do versus just taking a sightseeing tour to see the major attractions. These can be very active experiences such as hiking, climbing, bungee-jumping, flying down a wire cable over the tree canopy, whitewater rafting and so much more. Many prefer such active experiences when compared to the traditional bus tours where tour guides describe things as the bus passes them by.

Learn how to start a boutique tour business .

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the  Top LLC Formation Services And, use our free tools to help start your business: Use our  Business Name Generator  for help brainstorming your new venture’s name Learn  how to form an LLC , one of the  best business structures  for travel businesses Use our free  business plan generator  to start planning your business today Get your unique logo with our free  Logo Maker  and start branding your business After finding your perfect idea learn how to  start a business

8. BUS TOUR BUSINESS

A bus tour business provides tours for tourists as well as locals. Tours of scenic and historical areas and other sites of interest are a valuable community service. Bus tours connect people with others for a shared experience. They also educate people about historical landmarks, local history, geography and other important aspects of your city and the surrounding area.

If you are looking to give people the opportunity to learn more about a locale while enjoying the company of others, a bus tour business is right for you. This is your chance to bring people closer together. Bus tours also enhance understanding and respect for cities, towns, landmarks and special sites. Bus tour customers gain a new appreciation for the area in which the tour is conducted.

Learn how to start a bus tour business .

9. CAMPGROUND

If you love the outdoors and some hard work, you could start a campground business. Whether you have land or are purchasing land, you could start enjoying the great outdoors and working for yourself as soon as you get everything set up. You'll provide a place for people who are passing through on their way to another destination and for those who want to enjoy some time connecting with nature. Campers use all sorts of shelters from tents to fully contained RVs.

Before you start a campground business, you'll need the knowledge and willingness it takes to do many things, including accounting, repairs, road maintenance, plumbing, electrical maintenance, and management. You may be able to farm some of these things out, but it is much more cost-effective to do these things yourself.

Learn how to start a campground .

10. CANOE & KAYAK RENTAL BUSINESS

Many people enjoy being on the water, but they either do not own a boat or want to go boating where they can't bring theirs. A canoe and kayak rental business lets people rent canoes and kayaks to take out on nearby waterways. Customers can take canoes out for as little as an hour or as long as a day or more.

Anyone who enjoys canoeing and kayaking may be well-suited to open a canoe and kayak rental business. Business owners also must be strong enough to move canoes and kayaks onshore.

Learn how to start a canoe & kayak rental business .

Find a Web Domain For Your Travel and Hospitality Business

Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of a travel and hospitality business.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by godaddy.com, 11. car rental business.

Another one of many travel business ideas is a car rental company. A car rental business rents vehicles at affordable daily and weekly prices. All sorts of different parties are interested in car rentals. Common customers include business and leisure travelers, those whose vehicles are out of commission and businesses.

This business is ideal for someone who has a sincere interest in automobiles, automobile maintenance, and the driving experience.

Learn how to start a car rental business .

12. CORPORATE RETREAT CENTER

Many companies take employees on retreats for training, development, and team-building experiences. Corporate retreat center businesses offer a place for holding these company-sponsored retreats and frequently help companies plan their retreats.

Anyone who is organized and has strong interpersonal skills may enjoy running a corporate retreat center business. Hosting retreats requires balancing many different tasks, and there’s a constant conversation between the retreat center and the company sponsoring the retreat.

Learn how to start a corporate retreat center .

13. CRUISE LINE

A cruise line has one or several large boats designed to accommodate numerous fun-seeking individuals. This business is centered on providing guests with a good time. Cruise liners are a place for relaxation, socialization, and romance. Cruises are in-demand as they provide people with a fun and relaxing means of vacationing. Cruise lines offer all sorts of social activities on and off the ship. This business is a fantastic way to bring people closer to one another, bolster social ties, and provide people with a sense of belonging.

This is the ideal business or someone who is looking for a way to bring people together for a fun, rewarding and memorable experience. If you are a hospitable individual and enjoy providing people with a good time, you should consider starting a cruise line business. Furthermore, if you enjoy life on the water, good food and entertainment, a cruise ship business is worth considering.

Learn how to start a cruise line .

14. DAY SPA

Day spas provide a relaxing atmosphere and a variety of treatments designed to refresh and rejuvenate. Some of the most common services offered by smaller day spas are facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, waxing, electrolysis, and aromatherapy. Larger day spas with more complex facilities are able to offer additional options such as body wraps, mud baths, or hydrotherapy treatments.

This hospitality business is ideal for those who enjoy relating with people on a personal level to provide services that reduce stress, enhance beauty, and improve health.

Learn how to start a day spa .

15. ECOTOUR BUSINESS

Ecotourism is small scale, low impact tourism that offers travelers an opportunity to learn about the local flora, fauna, and culture. Unlike your standard tour guide service, the focus of ecotourism is to educate guests on how they can positively impact the environment and community they’re visiting. Tourists are able to immerse themselves in the culture and habitat, gaining an understanding of the positive impact each can have on the other. Ecological sustainability and responsibility are the heart of this educating and rewarding experience.

As many consumers ponder the environmental impact humans have had on our environment, there are many who have taken it upon themselves to get out and do something about it. They’ve made it their life’s mission to make positive strides, educating others along the way. Entrepreneurs who have made this their lives’ work and who truly enjoy igniting this passion in others would be best suited for this travel business venture.

Learn how to start an ecotour business .

16. FISHING CHARTER BUSINESS

Many people enjoy fishing, but few people have boats, tackle, and knowledge to go fishing far from shore. Fishing charter businesses take people on fishing trips that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience. These trips may range from going into swamps to venturing far offshore. Customers are usually allowed to keep any fish that they catch (assuming the fish are legal to keep).

Anyone who is passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing that passion with other people may be well-suited for running a fishing charter business. Customers expect fishing charter captains to be knowledgeable about and have a love for fishing, and sharing that knowledge and love helps ensure customers have a great time.

Learn how to start a fishing charter business .

17. GLAMPING BUSINESS

A glamping business is next on our comprehensive list of travel startup ideas. Glamping, or "glamorous camping," has taken England by storm and is quickly becoming popular within the United States. Although there aren’t any official statistics for glamping in the U.S., industry insiders have seen a big increase in demand recently. For entrepreneurs, this demand represents an exciting opportunity.

People who enjoy connecting with others and being outdoors may enjoy running a glamping business. Interpersonal skills are necessary because much of the business involves making guests feel welcome. A passion for the outdoors is helpful, for glamping is largely about connecting with nature.

Learn how to start a glamping business .

18. GOLF COURSE

Golf courses provide these people with a place to play the sport. Most courses are 9 or 18 holes, and they may have other amenities, such as clubhouses and pro shops. Anyone who is well-versed in a variety of aspects of business and enjoys golfing themselves may be qualified to run a golf course.

It’s important to have a broad business background because golf courses are multi-faceted businesses. Running one might include course maintenance, employee management, restaurant service, event hosting, and investment opportunities.

Learn how to start a golf course .

19. HAUNTED ATTRACTION

A haunted thrill park is any space designed to entice customers by offering a scary or thrilling experience. Americans spend about $7 billion on Halloween, and $300 million on haunted houses. Haunted thrill parks may be located in makeshift, temporary houses, corn mazes, or even old prisons or asylums. Typically, workers will dress up in costumes and pop out at customers to give them a fright. Props such as fake chainsaws or straight jackets are often used alongside fog machines and soundtracks of creepy noises.

There is an art to scaring people while keeping them safe, so an entrepreneur will have to coordinate the right scenes while ensuring workers understand how to handle the guests. Those who already have a love of haunted houses likely understand what's currently out there, and what people would like to see in the future.

Learn how to start a haunted attraction .

20. HELICOPTER TOUR BUSINESS

A helicopter tour business takes customers on short flights so they can view their city from a bird's-eye view. This is typically marketed as a more expensive service for a more adventurous clientele, and it adds a touch of excitement to any community.

This business is ideal for those already licensed to fly a helicopter, as there is a significant investment of time and money required to acquire a license. As such, it typically makes a good business for retired military personnel. Aside from a knowledge of helicopters, one of the best qualities for this business is to be a “people person,” as you must be able to charm customers before, during, and after the flight.

Learn how to start a helicopter tour business .

Start a Travel and Hospitality Business In Your State

21. hotel business.

A hotel can be any commercial building that charges money to travelers who need a room to stay. This can be anything from a standard multi-unit building to luxury stand-alone villas. As airline prices drop and the economy improves, corporate and personal travel continues to increase. The hotel industry generated just under $200 billion in revenue in 2016.

This startup idea is good for someone who enjoys the hospitality business. Those who run hotels have to be adept at catering to a number of different needs, so an owner will need to be flexible when it comes to how they respond to different travelers and consistent when it comes to delivering unparalleled customer service. From business travelers to young families, each guest will have their own priorities when it comes to where they stay.

Learn how to start a hotel business .

22. HOUSE-SITTING BUSINESS

House sitting is a service offered to customers who are out of town or otherwise away from the home. House sitters may look after pets, plants, or just the home itself. House sitters help the community in a number of ways. They can ward off criminals by simply being in the house, and they keep cats and dogs from having to be put into kennels.

This business is good for those who want to maintain people’s homes while they’re away. Ideally, house sitters should be animal lovers who know how to take care of a variety of different types of dogs and cats.

Learn how to start a house-sitting business .

23. KENNEL BUSINESS

Many dog owners, for a variety of reasons, don’t bring their dogs with them on trips. A kennel business gives dog owners a safe place to leave their dogs while they’re away. At a kennel, dogs have a safe place to rest, are fed and get exercise.

Anyone who loves dogs may be well-suited for owning a kennel business, as most of the work involves taking care of dogs. Owners often have to play with dogs, and they sometimes need to physically move stubborn pooches. Therefore, owners should be in decent physical condition.

Learn how to start a kennel business .

Boat owners need a place to keep their boats, both during the boating season and the off-season. While some boats can be kept on a trailer and launched, other vessels cannot -- and even boaters who have trailerable vessels often don’t want to have to launch and take out their boat every time they go out on the water.

A marina business offers boaters a place to keep their boats, docking or mooring them in the water during the boating season, and storing them on land for the rest of the year.

Learn how to start a marina .

25. PARTY BUS BUSINESS

One more of several popular travel business ideas is a party bus business. A party bus business will transport people for major events, so they don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting from place to place. While people on the bus are generally invited to consume alcohol (if they're of age), party buses don’t necessarily have to offer adult beverages as a part of their business model.

This business is excellent for someone who understands both the large and small aspects of major events. Clients want to be able to relax and feel as though they're taken care of, so they need someone who is confident in making decisions quickly and being able to think on the fly in the face of potential hiccups or even outright emergencies.

Learn how to start a party bus business .

26. PET-SITTING BUSINESS

Pet sitting businesses offer pet owners a variety of animal care services, including exercising their pets while they are at work. They also provide an affordable alternative to boarding pets at a kennel during vacations or business trips. Being able to remain in their own home environment can reduce separation anxiety for both pets and their owners.

This is a great business idea for animal lovers who enjoy walking and staying active. It’s ideal for people who prefer lower stress levels, since spending time with pets has been shown to reduce stress. Those who are compassionate and responsible, yet prefer to work alone and be their own bosses as well as make their own schedules thrive in this type of business.

Learn how to start a pet-sitting business .

27. SCOOTER RENTAL BUSINESS

A scooter rental business offers customers a fun and affordable option for short-term transportation. For most, scooters can be rented with hourly, half-day, and whole day rates.

If you have experience in retail sales or product rentals, knowledge of small engines, a strong work ethic, and a business mind, a scooter rental business could be your ticket to financial independence. Especially if you have a background in scooters and motorcycles—either as a rider, enthusiast, or from working in a motorbike retail business—your expertise could set you apart from the competition.

Learn how to start a scooter rental business .

28. SCUBA DIVING BUSINESS

Scuba diving affords an unparalleled experience with the underwater world. However, safe diving requires training, equipment, and often a guide. Scuba diving businesses provide divers with the training, equipment, and local knowledge they need to have a fun and safe time underwater.

While scuba diving businesses can generate sizable profits, most business owners don’t get into this type of work solely for the financial return on investment. Instead, they’re passionate scuba divers themselves and are drawn to the scuba lifestyle. They like the idea of making money doing a sport they love.

Learn how to start a scuba diving business .

29. SKI RESORT

Ski resorts are one of the main places people go for wintertime fun. Resorts offer skiing, snowboarding, equipment rentals and lessons. Many resorts also have concessions, a restaurant, a bar, and other amenities.

Someone with a diverse skillset and background in business may be well-suited for running a ski resort business. The multi-faceted nature of ski resorts requires knowledge of multiple aspects of running a business. For instance, running a ski resort business might include equipment maintenance, snowmaking decisions, concession management, and program creation.

Learn how to start a ski resort .

30. SKYDIVING BUSINESS

Customers of skydiving businesses receive access to the complete experience, either in tandem with an experienced jumper or solo. The entertainment package includes the airplane ride, all equipment, landing site—also known as the dropzone or DZ—and the leadership/coaching of a jumpmaster. Other products or services might also be offered through the business, from parachute training before the jump to photography or video production of the jump.

Most people who would consider starting such a business are experienced jumpers, but that’s not mandatory. You should, at a minimum, feel comfortable convincing partners or investors and officials of the wisdom of your plans and your skydiving business’ value to the community.

Learn how to start a skydiving business .

31. SNORKELING BUSINESS

A snorkeling business will typically sell or rent out various safety gear and snorkeling equipment to water-lovers of all ages. These travel businesses can also offer tours to their customers in addition to or instead of a physical store location.

Owners should ideally have an inherent love of the water, so they can introduce their passion for exploration to new generations of snorkelers. They should also enjoy working with people who may not know very much about how to use the equipment.

Learn how to start a snorkeling business .

32. SOUVENIR SHOP

As the owner of a souvenir shop, you’ll stock your retail store, cart or kiosk with an inventory of interest to tourists. Your offerings will reflect the demographics and socioeconomic strata of the market. For instance, if you’re at a vacation destination that draws young families, you might stock novelty trinkets, toys, t-shirts, candy, and gum. However, if you’ll attract more sophisticated travelers, you might sell pricier jewelry with a local slant -- ie, designed with stones or gems found in the region.

You can succeed if you know your market. You must be able to match the inventory with the needs of vacationers and at an affordable price point.

Learn how to start a souvenir shop .

33. SUMMER CAMP

Successful summer camp business owners respond to the needs of their customers and communities by developing curriculum and activities that focus on their specific interests, goals, and objectives. Traditional summer camps offer outdoor activities such as hiking, building campfires, and canoeing. Sleep-away camps offer food and lodging as well as trained supervision during physical and educational activities. Day camps do not include lodging and offer more specialized learning activities such as computer science, performing arts and music. Today, there are summer camp programs available for nearly every imaginable purpose, interest and need.

This business is a good choice for people who love teaching but prefer a beautiful natural setting to a formal classroom. High-energy individuals thrive on the combination of physical and mental activity this type of business provides. Creative people welcome the challenge of providing fun, interesting, and engaging songs, games, and educational activities for campers. Those who enjoy working with and enriching the lives of children and families experience a high level of job satisfaction within this industry.

Learn how to start a summer camp .

34. SURFING SCHOOL

Running a surf school and teaching surfing classes is a lifestyle with a dedication to the ocean water. It has the requirement to live on the coast of a country. The best places in America are the west coast of California and the islands of Hawaii. You may also find some decent surfing in other parts of the world such as Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and even in exotic places like Fiji and the beach areas of Sanya, China. No matter where you decide is best, you need to love the ocean water, work in a nice surfing spot, and want to teach people how to surf.

Surfers are people who enjoy the surfing lifestyle. Every day is a day at the beach when the waves are good. Surfers who want to teach others are even more special because they need to have patience when being an instructor for first-time learners. The best surfers enjoy daily surfing and catching good waves for them is a spiritual experience.

Learn how to start a surfing school .

35. TOUR COMPANY

Tour guide services are most often offered in cities large, world-famous cities and cities that have rich historical backgrounds. Guests can be taken on a tour by foot or by vehicle, depending upon the distance that will be covered during the tour.

The self-motivator with a thirst for knowledge who enjoys sharing what they’ve learned with others would do best owning a tour guide business.

Learn how to start a tour company .

Learn more about starting a business by visting the  U.S. Small Business Administration .

36. TRAVEL AGENCY

Most travel agencies earn revenue through commissions. Consumers often choose agencies because they help cut down on time needed to research various locations and book accommodations. A popular trend in the industry is online agencies, which operate mostly or exclusively online.

This business idea is perfect for individuals who are passionate about travel, love learning about and visiting new places, and are very detail-oriented. Travel agency owners have very flexible hours but usually only after they have an established book of clients.

Learn how to start a travel agency .

37. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS

A travel photographer uses their camera to provide high-quality images to a variety of clients that may include websites, travel blogs, print magazines, television ads, and framed prints for sale. You will need to travel extensively to a variety of locations to deliver the landscapes, hotel rooms, and recreational shots that your clients are looking for. You'll work hard to develop a variety of clients who work with you to determine where your next shoot should be while your self-promotion and marketing will reach out to new clients.

A successful travel photographer will have extensive knowledge of how to use their camera to get the highest definition images containing dramatic landscapes. They will need to enjoy living on the road, hiking, and exploring distant locales to get the perfect shot. They should be sociable and able to toot their own horn in order to develop new clients and customers.

Learn how to start a travel photography business .

38. WALKING TOUR BUSINESS

Next on our list of travel business ideas is a walking tour business. Tourists are constantly in search of hidden gems and insider knowledge about their destination, which is what walking tour businesses provide. These travel businesses take tourists on guided explorations of an area, during which time tourists see both famous locations and lesser-known attractions while getting lots of local knowledge.

Most walking tours explore the area through a particular interest, and there are tours for all kinds of interests. For example, in New York City there are walking tour businesses that offer guided explorations of the city’s haunted locations, architecture and street art.

Learn how to start a walking tour business .

39. WATERPARK

Amusement parks are a popular vacation destination for families all over the world. Few things are more exhilarating than experiencing the rides, laughing and screaming as you make your way to the bottom. Couple that with water, and you have a family-friendly adventure for individuals of all ages.

Entrepreneurs with previous small business ownership or management would be best suited for this business venture. Innovators who enjoy a fast-paced atmosphere and are dedicated to reinvesting a portion of their profits can turn a small waterpark into a million-dollar enterprise in a matter of years.

Learn how to start a waterpark .

40. WINE TOUR BUSINESS

Wine tours educate people about grapes, fermentation, and flavor profiles. From varietals to harvesting techniques to the best way to taste the wine, tours are meant to be as informative as they are fun. These tours can help people appreciate all that goes into a single sip, and promote local businesses by exposing their product to more people.

This travel business is good for someone who already has a healthy interest in how vineyards work, and who enjoys teaching people in an entertaining way. Ideally, it should be far less about enjoying a good bottle of wine, and far more about being a good (and organized) educator.

Learn how to start a wine tour business .

Start a Travel and Hospitality Business in Your State

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Washington D.C.
• West Virginia

Explore More

Home Business Ideas

There are a variety of businesses you can run out of your home, and because of the minimal overhead expenses, most of them can be started fairly cheaply. In this article, we outline our top 40 home business ideas for the modern entrepreneur.

Online Business Ideas

Whether you’re looking to build an online empire or earn a little money on the side, one of the best things about owning an online business is having the ability to work as much or as little as you want -- from whatever location you prefer.

Low-Cost Business Ideas

In this article, we outline our top 40 business ideas with low startup costs to help you find a low-cost business idea that aligns with your interests and goals.

Side-Hustle Business Ideas

If you’re looking to scratch the entrepreneurial itch without giving up your day job, you’re probably on the hunt for a side-hustle that aligns with your personal interests and your schedule. These 40 side-hustles satisfy a range of interests and can easily turn into full-time careers.

How to Start a Business

How to Choose a Business Structure

What is an LLC?

Free Online Business Plan Generator

Download WP Travel

Please enter your email to download WP Travel and also get amazing WP Travel offers and Newsletters.

51 Tourism and Travel Business Ideas to Start in 2024

Home » Blog » 51 Tourism and Travel Business Ideas to Start in 2024

The travel and tourism business provides a wide range of services with the following different ideas to make sure that every traveler finds the right trip.

Most travelers or customers are looking for a beautiful adventure journey to fulfill their achievements. 

So, the travel business spends a lot of effort applying several techniques to build relationships with customers and local communities peoples.

The travel industry wants to become a top expert on changing travel experiences by focusing on smart marketing and customer happiness which help people go on the memorial journey and never forget.

Table of contents

Overview of the travel and tourism industry, 1. adventure tourism company, 2. tour guides business, 3. eco-tourism resort, 4. accommodations and breakfast business, 5. wellness retreat center, 6. cultural immersion tours, 7. vehicles rental business, 8. sustainable travel agency, 9. travel photographs business, 10. wildlife safari, 11. boutique hotel chain, 12. language learning travel program, 13. pet-friendly accommodations, 14. health tourism agency, 15. travel blogging/ vlogging, 16. adventure the sports events, 17. destinations wedding planning, 18. outdoor education programs, 19. cultural exchange programs, 20. digital travel marketplace, 21. historical recreation events, 22. luxury train journeys, 23. sustainable farm stays, 24. adventure training courses, 25. wildlife conservation tours, 26. travel safety consulting, 27. travel technology solutions, 28. virtual reality travel experiences, 29. cultural heritage preservation, 30. family adventure travel, 31. backpacker hostel chain, 32. outdoor adventure gear manufacturing, 33. destination accessibility consulting, 34. sustainable tourism certification, 35. adventure sports instructions.

• 36. Agritourism Experiences 

37. Adventure Travel Media Production

38. travel tech startups, 39. pet transportation services, 40. remote work retreats, 41. art and culture tours, 42. community tourism initiatives, 43. sustainable travel education, 44. water taxi services, 45. glamping resort, 46. sustainable souvenir shop, 47. coffee shop, 48. event planning, 49. translation services, 50. culinary tourism agency, 51. medical tourism, comparison of travel business ideas concepts, identity your passion and expertise, research the market trends, evaluate competitor landscape, assess resource requirements, seek mentorship and advice, the travel and hospitality industry, small tourism business ideas concepts, frequently asked questions.

The travel and tourism industry is very broad and includes many different types of action to connect travelling for work, pleasure and other reasons. 

You can explore and test the best travel agency themes to find the one that perfectly fits your suitable business concepts.

The travel business creates jobs, builds infrastructures and shares culture between local communities and travelers which helps to the growth of the world travel economy.  

The tourism industry serves a wide range of travelers, from backpackers on a budget to tourists who want to live a luxurious life.

The way of travelers study schedules, and book their trips has improved with the technology change so, travel agencies take more ideas and features to attract more customers.

You can Get WP Travel Pro to add features to your travel website.

51 Tourism and Travel Business Ideas

Nowadays, most of the travel business than just opening travel agencies. Many tour business plans can make travel and tourism businesses more profitable. Let’s explore some travel business techniques.

The adventure tourism company organizes adventure trips like hiking, rock climbing, and rafting which is considered as popular travel business ideas to start in 2024.

This company specializes in leading outdoor adventure experiences for tourists and people who like thrills and nature.

If you want to open a travel agency currently to find ways to start and grow your travel business, then choosing the ready-made travel plugin saves a whole lot of time, effort, and resources.

You can try WP Travel, trusted by 6000+ travel business owners to launch their travel booking website right away without any hassle of a highly paid bunch of developers and coding stuff.

First, you have a business idea but don’t have any money to invest in it – at least in the beginning phase. 

If you want to be successful, you should know lots of places where you can start your business.

If you are in out the cities areas it is best for your Eco-tourism business. It helps to promote and utilization of safe and responsible tourism that reduces bad environmental effects and encourages the well-being of local communities. 

For those people who want to use their home as a business like a homestay, or motel. This is best for accommodations and breakfast . 

You have to make it popular to get a lot of travelers to come, and you need to give them a great experience.

Most people become increasingly aware of their physical and mental well-being, you can start the wellness retreat centre to provide physical and mental health sessions and classes.

Traveler are curious about the local community traditions, and religions. So, you have to provide the travel experiences with a deeper, more supportive and more authentic connection to the destination.

It is the easy way to operate the travel business by tasting local foods, joining in cultural events, and selling your travel-related local products.

Several travelers and tourists depend on cars to get around when they want to travel in local areas. For this purpose, a Car Rental is the best choice for running the travel business.

This business suits you if you have any skill and knowledge with care and motorbike.

The sustainable travel industry plays a vital role in promoting ethical and ec-conscious tourism behaviour in the travel field.

If you love nature wildlife and ecosystems, the sustainable travel business is environmental conservation.

Let’s launch your travel booking website today!

Trip photography companies are one of the apparent choices if you are a solopreneurship. You have the option and freedom to travel, take pictures and make money as a travel photographer.

In addition, if you’re truly skilled, you may earn a lot of money through the different photography websites.

Wildlife safari offers tourists unique and memorable moments and provides them to watch wild animals in their native environments.

If you have knowledge about wildlife or work in any park or zoo it helps you to grow the travel business.

Boutique hotel companies help you to work in a unique atmosphere design and decor, giving visitors a pleasant break from regular accommodations which helps to grow your travel business.

Most travelers learn the other country and community languages, which helps them survive there easily. 

You can start different country language tutorials to earn money for the growth of your travel business. 

You can build your hotel, motel and rooms suitable for customers’ pets. That helps you get more booking chances and get the best reviews and ratings.

Health tourism companies connect tourists with specialist medical treatments and health services that may not be accessible in their home countries.

You have to provide advanced medical treatments, or special surgeries to travelers when they are in any health issues.

Travel blogging/vlogging is often regarded as one of the famous travel business ideas to earn a living . You can write or create travel-related content and make vlogs where you can earn money. Also, it supports travelers in finding out the best destinations.

You can organize adventure sports tournaments and competitions to support the travel industry and grow your travel business. 

Destination weddings offer couples stunning and romantic settings, like tropical beaches, historic sites, green parks or mountain hills. 

These beautiful places provide wedding, and party events and make memorable memories for couples and their guests.

Explore this article “Best Online Travel Booking Platforms in 2024”

You can link with colleges and schools to offer educational trips focused on nature and sustainability.

A cultural exchange program offers you a variety of benefits within the travel business, promoting culture, understanding, and teamwork between people of different countries.

You can create a platform that connects travelers with local guides. Today most travel companies connect on digital platforms and promote their business. 

The historical recreation events provide an engaging and informative experience for travelers. You can create a project related to historical events and promote your travel business.

Luxury train travel provides travelers with comfort and luxury, offering well-appointed rooms, soft furniture, and helpful services. 

Where you can provide sleeping accommodations for elegant dining cars and lounges. 

Sustainable farm stays on of the travel business where you can provide the accommodations on working farms. 

Like in Pokhara, where you can fishing the fish in a pond and then you have it with other food items.

Adventure training classes provide several benefits to the travel business, like teaching individuals seeking outdoor experiences, skill development, and personal growth. 

Wildlife supports guide tours, conversion, and engaging activities, customers gain the value of nature, the risks facing wildlife, and the role of conservation in saving natural environments. 

You can provide wildlife conservation tour packages to wildlife photographers and travelers.

Provides risk assessment and safety training for travelers to earn money and growth the travel business. 

Travel technology solutions have many tasks, like booking management, planning, and handling the payment process. 

It helps you to book hotels, plane tickets, and other services which improve your travel business.

It has many benefits for your travel business, like making decisions easier, accessibility, and improving marketing and training.

It helps travel agencies with personalization, saving travel costs, and making them a valuable asset for the travel industry.

Cultural heritage protection makes society better in different ways, by promoting cultural education and identity, driving economic growth, supporting intercultural understanding, and community empowerment.

You can add the family-friendly adventure vacation travel package to promote your travel business.

Establish budget-friendly accommodations for travelers as they feel like their home.

Manufacture equipment for outdoor adventure tours and travel and sell them to travelers and travel agencies.

This a smart way to make destinations more inclusive, profitable and long-lasting in the global tourist market, which is good for everyone involved with the destinations.

You have to certify businesses committed to sustainability in the travel markets.

For travelers or adventurous persons, you can teach outdoor activities like surfing or skiing.

36. Agritourism Experiences 

 You offer the tourists or visitors farm tours and agricultural experiences.

Establish the travel media productions to produce content focused on adventure travel.

Travel tech companies are very important for innovation, competition, and change in the travel industry. Where you can develop innovative solutions for the travel business.

Provides transportation services for travelers or customers’ pets. 

You have to host retreats for digital nomads and remote workers to build your travel business.

Travel companies, travelers and target communities can benefit from art and culture trips. It makes them very useful in the tourism industry’s desire to provide sustainable travel experiences.

Support the local communities through the establishment the travel companies.

It is a strong way to encourage responsible tourism, empower the people and communities, protect nature and cultural assets make the tourism business more sustainable in the long term.

You can offer water taxi services to your customers depending on where you are for travel business to work.

Making the glamping resort to a tour business can provide unique experiences, and help the business stand out in the market. So, it is suitable for you to start the travel business.

Operating a sustainable souvenir shop in the travel business, including promoting sustainable consumption, preserving cultural heritage, and protecting the environment for the tourism industry’s long-term sustainability.

As a place where travelers can stop and relax in a friendly and fun environment, a coffee shop helps the travel business’s overall success and sustainability of the travel business.

Another business model, corporate event planning plays a pretty good role in the travel business. You will be responsible for designing unique corporate events as an event planner.

Translation services are another popular choice for travlers and other people who want to run their own travel business. 

This skill will also support you when you have to deal with people from outside your business. 

It helps food tourism and cultural exchange because agencies put travelers in touch with the unique tastes and cooking customs of places all over the world.

In recent times, medical tourism is one of the feasible travel business ideas, that has grown in popularity all over the world. Most the people are interested in both modern medicine and natural, traditional treatment options. 

Explore the features and pricing of top tour operator software

It is the idea for tourism industry owners to choose the best travel business concepts, we have made a table that compares different travel business ideas based on capital requirement, potential profitability, and global market sizes.

Over time, the market size of the travel business might change. We request everyone to review individual businesses’ market size change log for better understanding.

This data is taken from trusted and relevant sources.

How do you choose the best travel business ideas?

The best travel industry ideas for your company depend on your goals, hobbies, and market opportunities.

There are several things to choosing the best travel business idea to ensure its viability and potential for success.

These are some steps to help you to choose the best tour business ideas.

You can think about the parts of the travel business that interest you the most and your experiences. 

If you want success in travel business, make a business around which you are most interested and fulfill your requirements. 

Most travel businesses keep up with the latest trends to find out about the needs of the market and customers, new fields, and area growth with potential. 

Always find out the gaps or underserved markets where you can fulfil the customer’s needs by taking something new and valuable. 

The travel industry analyzes your competitors for your business and includes both direct and indirect competitors. You can figure out how can make your business stand out and provide extra value to attract customers.

While opening the travel business you think about the startup costs, running the business, following the government rules and regulations, and technology needs.

You can focus on seeking guidance from mentors, people who work in the industry, or business advisers who have experience in the travel industry. 

These ideas and suggestions can help your business to improve its business plan and raise your chance of success.

The travel and hospitality field meets the needs of travelers, tourists and guests. 

It includes everything from transportation and lodging to dining, pleasure and recreational activities.

These are the main components of the travel and hospitality industry business.

• Transportation Services
• Accommodation 
• Food and Beverage Services
• Attractions and Entertainment
• Travel agencies and tour operators
• Travel Technology and Online Booking Platforms
• Hospitality Services and Facilities Management

The travel and hotel industry is made up of many different types of companies and services that all play a part in the travel economy and travel experience. 

These companies work together to meet the needs and expectations of travelers. 

The travel and hospitality industry has unique experiences, and they help to target economic growth and development within destination fields.

Useful for you: Future of Travel and Tourism Industry

Small tourism companies that offer unique experiences and target specific groups in the travel industry can be very profitable.

In the competitive travel market, small tourism companies can provide excellent customer service. Small tourism businesses can provide the best services at low prices.

These are some technics for starting a small travel and tourism business.

• Culinary Tours
• Adventure Tourism
• Ecotourism and Sustainable Tours 
• Cultural Immersion Experiences
• Bike or Segway Tours
• Photography Tours
• Wellness and Yoga Retreats

These are just a few small tourism and business ideas that people who want to start their own business. 

In the tough travel market, small tourism companies can stand out by catering to specific groups of people, providing different events, and giving great customer service.

If you want to start a small travel business, WP Travel is the best travel plugin . You can also try WP Travel Pro to add more features and functionalities to your websites.

The best business for travel and travel depends upon different factors. These are some best tourism businesses: Tour Operators, Travel agencies, Luxury Travel Companies, and Transportation Companies.

A good tourism business must provide a memorable experience for your customers . Therefore, it‘s important to keep this in mind while you are starting a travel business.

The 3 positives of the tourism industry are boosting the revenue of the total economy, providing several jobs, and developing the infrastructures of the tourism field.

Yam Bahadur Chhetri is a content writer and vivid contributor to the WordPress community and a WordPress enthusiast with an experience of 7+ years in the relative field. He also loves to develop WordPress Themes, Plugins, and custom WordPress development for clients.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Get WP Travel Pro

Create Stunning , SEO friendly and Fully functional Travel website within minutes . No Coding Required !

Suitable for any

• Travel Agency
• Tour Booking Services
• Travel Bloggers

Drive more Sales and Revenues from today !

$ 99 99 USD per year

📢 Santa has sent the gift for Christmas and New Year sales on all WP Travel Pro plans. 🛍️ Use coupon code "XMAS_NEWYEAR2024" at checkout.

Related posts

How to Open a Tourism Company in Dubai ,UAE?

Tour Operator vs Travel Agent- What are the Differences?

How to Become a Travel Agent from Home? (3 Steps)

Wp travel modules.

Need more features to save your time and to boost your travel business? WP Travel Pro comes with more powerful modules . While our core travel plugin provides almost all the features that a travel and trekking websites generally needs, our add-ons boost it’s capacity further to make it the best travel engine on WordPress. Whether you want to add new payment method to your site or brush up your trekking listings with beautiful maps show casing your trips, we have all your imagination covered. See all our add ons below to boost your travel website’s features further.

Weather Forecast

Import Export

Partial Payment

Connect with wp travel to join the travel conversation, documentation →.

Explore More

Customer Support →

We are here to help.

Facebook Group →

User Community Forum

Follow On Twitter →

Connect with us on Twitter

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to content

• Try Tactyqal

50 Travel & Tourism Business Ideas

Introduction

Wanderlust! The urge to travel, explore new places, and experience different cultures is deeply rooted in the human spirit.

As the world becomes more interconnected, the travel and tourism industry continues to thrive, presenting numerous opportunities for entrepreneurial minds.

In this blog post, we’ll embark on an exciting journey, exploring 50 creative business ideas that cater to the ever-growing demand for unique and memorable travel experiences.

Accommodation

1. tiny house rentals.

Offer a unique and eco-friendly accommodation experience by renting out tiny houses in scenic locations. Tiny houses are not only charming but also appeal to travelers seeking a minimalist and sustainable lifestyle.

2. Glamping Retreats

Combine the luxury of a hotel with the adventure of camping by setting up glamorous camping sites in picturesque natural settings. Provide luxurious tents, high-end amenities, and personalized services for a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience.

3. Homestay Network

Create a platform that connects travelers with local hosts, allowing them to experience authentic cultural immersion by staying in a family’s home. This concept promotes cultural exchange and provides an affordable alternative to traditional accommodations.

4. Treehouse Resorts

Tap into the childlike wonder of tree-dwelling by constructing eco-friendly treehouse resorts. These unique accommodations offer guests a chance to reconnect with nature while enjoying modern amenities.

5. Houseboat Rentals

Capitalize on the growing trend of water-based accommodations by offering houseboat rentals in scenic waterways or coastal regions. Houseboats provide a unique way to explore destinations while enjoying the comforts of home.

Transportation

6. electric bike tours.

Offer eco-friendly and active tours of cities or natural landscapes using electric bikes. This concept appeals to travelers seeking sustainable and engaging ways to explore their destinations.

7. Luxury Coach Service

Provide a high-end transportation service for travelers seeking comfort and convenience. Offer luxurious coaches with amenities like Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, and gourmet snacks for long-distance travel or city tours.

8. Vintage Car Rentals

Cater to the nostalgia and charm of classic automobiles by offering vintage car rentals. This unique transportation option can be a hit with travelers seeking a retro experience or those attending special events.

9. Private Aviation Services

For affluent travelers, offer private aviation services, such as charter flights, helicopter tours, or private jet rentals, providing a luxurious and convenient way to travel.

10. Campervan Rentals

Capitalize on the growing trend of road trips and van life by offering campervan rentals. These versatile vehicles allow travelers to explore destinations at their own pace while enjoying the freedom and convenience of a mobile home.

Tours and Activities

11. virtual reality tours.

Leverage the power of virtual reality (VR) technology to offer immersive tours of destinations, historical sites, or even outer space. This innovative concept appeals to tech-savvy travelers and those seeking unique experiences.

12. Food Truck Tours

Combine the love for food and exploration by organizing tours that guide participants through the local food truck scene, sampling diverse culinary offerings along the way.

13. Experiential Workshops

Offer hands-on workshops that teach travelers new skills or crafts, such as pottery, painting, dance, or cooking classes, allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture while acquiring new knowledge.

14. Adventure Sports Tours

For thrill-seekers, organize tours that incorporate adventure sports like rock climbing, zip-lining, surfing, or skydiving, catering to travelers seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences.

15. Sustainable Ecotours

Promote responsible tourism by offering sustainable eco-tours that educate travelers about conservation efforts and sustainable practices while exploring natural wonders and wildlife habitats.

Food and Beverage

16. pop-up dining experiences.

Create unique and temporary dining experiences by setting up pop-up restaurants in unconventional locations, such as rooftops, abandoned buildings, or scenic outdoor spaces.

17. Craft Brewery Tours

Tap into the growing popularity of craft beer by offering guided tours of local breweries, providing insights into the brewing process and allowing visitors to sample unique flavors.

18. Farm-to-Table Dining

Collaborate with local farmers to create a farm-to-table dining experience, offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients and promoting sustainable food practices.

19. Wine Tasting Tours

Organize tours that take visitors through local wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms, providing an educational and indulgent experience for wine enthusiasts.

20. Street Food Tours

Guide travelers through the vibrant street food scene of a destination, introducing them to authentic local flavors and culinary traditions while exploring the city’s cultural fabric.

Retail and Souvenirs

21. artisan marketplace.

Curate a physical or online marketplace that showcases unique and handcrafted products from local artisans, providing travelers with authentic souvenirs and supporting local economies.

22. Sustainable Fashion Line

Tap into the growing demand for ethical and sustainable fashion by creating a clothing line using eco-friendly materials and promoting fair labor practices. Offer stylish and responsible travel apparel and accessories.

23. Personalized Photo Books

Offer a service that creates personalized photo books, allowing travelers to capture and preserve their journey’s memories in a beautifully curated keepsake.

24. Local Artisan Workshops

Organize workshops where travelers can learn from local artisans and create their own souvenirs, such as pottery, jewelry, or woodcarving, providing a hands-on experience and a unique keepsake.

25. Virtual Museum Tours

Leverage technology to offer virtual tours of museums, allowing travelers to explore exhibits and collections from anywhere in the world, catering to those seeking cultural experiences without the need for physical travel.

Technology and Apps

26. travel planning app.

Develop a comprehensive travel planning app that assists users in researching destinations, booking accommodations and activities, and creating personalized itineraries based on their preferences and interests.

27. Augmented Reality City Tours

Enhance the traditional city tour experience by incorporating augmented reality (AR) technology, overlaying historical information, interactive visuals, and storytelling elements onto the real-world environment.

28. Language Translation Earbuds

Offer innovative language translation earbuds that provide real-time translation, enabling travelers to communicate effectively and break down language barriers during their journeys.

29. Travel Insurance Comparison Platform

Create a user-friendly platform that compares and recommends the best travel insurance options based on specific trip details, destination, and traveler needs, ensuring peace of mind for adventurers.

30. Contactless Payments for Tourism

Develop a contactless payment solution specifically designed for the tourism industry, allowing travelers to make secure and convenient payments for attractions, tours, and services without the hassle of carrying cash or cards.

Wellness and Relaxation

31. yoga retreats.

Offer immersive yoga retreats in serene locations, combining physical and spiritual practices with healthy cuisine, meditation sessions, and access to natural surroundings for a holistic wellness experience.

32. Digital Detox Getaways

Create a sanctuary for travelers seeking to disconnect from technology and reconnect with themselves by offering digital detox getaways in remote or nature-focused destinations.

33. Spa and Wellness Resorts

Establish luxurious spa and wellness resorts that provide a tranquil escape, offering various treatments, fitness programs, and healthy dining options for travelers seeking rejuvenation and self-care.

34. Mindfulness Retreats

Organize mindfulness retreats that combine meditation, yoga, and other mindfulness practices with scenic locations and expert guidance, catering to travelers seeking inner peace and personal growth.

35. Forest Bathing Experiences

Capitalize on the growing interest in the Japanese practice of “Shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing by offering guided nature walks and immersive experiences that promote relaxation and connection with the natural world.

Sustainable Tourism

36. eco-friendly tour operator.

Establish an eco-friendly tour operator that prioritizes sustainability and minimizes the environmental impact of travel. Offer responsible tours that support local communities and promote conservation efforts.

37. Upcycled Lodging

Create unique accommodations by repurposing and upcycling materials from various sources, such as shipping containers, abandoned buildings, or recycled materials, promoting sustainable and innovative lodging options.

38. Carbon Offset Travel Services

Offer a service that calculates and offsets the carbon footprint of travelers’ trips by investing in verified carbon offset projects, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

39. Sustainable Souvenir Marketplace

Establish an online or physical marketplace that curates and sells sustainable souvenirs, locally made products, and ethical handicrafts, promoting responsible consumption and supporting local artisans.

40. Eco-Tourism Consultancy

Provide consulting services to travel companies and destinations, helping them implement sustainable practices, reduce their environmental impact, and promote responsible tourism initiatives.

Niche Experiences

41. pet-friendly travel services.

Cater to pet owners by offering pet-friendly accommodations, activities, and travel services, allowing furry companions to accompany their owners on adventures.

42. Accessible Travel Solutions

Create travel solutions that cater to individuals with disabilities or special needs, offering accessible accommodations, transportation, and tailored experiences that ensure comfort and inclusion.

43. Genealogy Tourism

Tap into the growing interest in ancestry and family history by offering genealogy tourism services, assisting travelers in tracing their roots, visiting ancestral homelands, and connecting with their heritage.

44. Dark Tourism Experiences

For those interested in the macabre and historical tragedies, offer curated tours and experiences focused on dark tourism sites, such as battlefields, cemeteries, and sites of significant historical events.

45. Culinary Immersion Tours

Organize in-depth culinary immersion tours that go beyond traditional food tours, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in the local food culture, from farm visits to cooking classes and dining with local families.

46. Literary Tours

Create literary-themed tours that take book lovers on a journey through the settings of famous novels, visiting locations that inspired authors, and exploring the literary heritage of destinations.

47. Spiritual Pilgrimage Tours

Offer guided tours to sacred sites and spiritual destinations, catering to travelers seeking personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, or a deeper connection with their faith or beliefs.

48. Astro-Tourism Experiences

Capitalize on the growing interest in astronomy and stargazing by offering astro-tourism experiences, including dark sky observatories, guided night sky tours, and stargazing retreats in remote locations with minimal light pollution.

49. Adventure Wedding Services

Cater to adventurous couples by offering unique and memorable wedding experiences in stunning outdoor locations, such as beach ceremonies, mountain elopements, or adventurous honeymoon packages.

50. Gaming and Esports Tourism

Tap into the rapidly growing gaming and esports industry by offering tailored travel experiences for gaming enthusiasts, including attending major gaming events, visiting gaming-themed attractions, or participating in gaming-related activities and competitions.

• The travel and tourism industry offers a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs to tap into unique niches and cater to diverse traveler interests.
• From accommodation options like tiny houses and treehouses to experiential tours and sustainable tourism initiatives, the possibilities are endless.
• Technology plays a crucial role, enabling virtual reality tours, augmented reality city experiences, and innovative travel planning apps.
• Wellness and relaxation-focused offerings, such as yoga retreats and mindfulness getaways, cater to travelers seeking rejuvenation and self-care.
• Niche experiences like pet-friendly travel, accessible tourism, and dark tourism experiences cater to specialized interests and needs.
• Sustainable and eco-friendly practices are becoming increasingly important, with opportunities in eco-tourism consultancy, upcycled lodging, and carbon-offset travel services.

Q: What are some unique accommodation ideas for travelers? A: Tiny house rentals, glamping retreats, treehouse resorts, and houseboat rentals offer unique and memorable accommodation experiences for travelers seeking something out of the ordinary.

Q: How can technology enhance the travel experience? A: Technology can enhance the travel experience through virtual reality tours, augmented reality city experiences, language translation earbuds, travel planning apps, and contactless payment solutions for tourism.

Q: What are some sustainable tourism business ideas? A: Sustainable tourism business ideas include eco-friendly tour operators, upcycled lodging, carbon offset travel services, sustainable souvenir marketplaces, and eco-tourism consultancy services.

Q: What are some niche travel experiences that cater to specific interests? A: Niche travel experiences include pet-friendly travel services, accessible tourism solutions, genealogy tourism, dark tourism experiences, culinary immersion tours, literary tours, spiritual pilgrimage tours, astro-tourism experiences, adventure wedding services, and gaming and esports tourism.

Q: How can wellness and relaxation be incorporated into travel business ideas? A: Wellness and relaxation can be incorporated through yoga retreats, digital detox getaways, spa and wellness resorts, mindfulness retreats, and forest bathing experiences, catering to travelers seeking rejuvenation and self-care.

Related Posts

Priyanka transitioned from being a trendsetting fashionista to an influential business blogger. With an innate passion for style and an astute entrepreneurial mindset, Priyanka carved her own path in the digital landscape, captivating audiences with her unique blend of fashion-forward insights and astute business acumen. Through her posts, she shares her expertise on emerging trends, fashion industry analysis, and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

You may also like

How to Generate Ideas with the SCAMPER Technique?

• Startup business ideas

15 Business Ideas That Help The People And The Planet

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Increase Online Bookings

17 Innovative Tourism Business Ideas and Trends for 2024

In This Article: Trends to Inspire Your Tours and Activities

Gig-Tripping, Bleisure, and Skip-Gen Travel: From eco-conscious adventures to immersive culinary experiences, what are some of the top travel business ideas likely to appeal to travelers in 2024? And how can tour businesses capitalize on them?

It’s that time of year again; when we take a deep dive into the research into travel and tourism trends for the year ahead so you don’t have to. As well as scouring the travel press, talking to our partners, customers and contacts, and racking our own brains here at Rezgo, we’ve picked highlights from several influential research reports into tourism business trends for 2024. 

Even if you’re getting into the tour operator industry, there’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Read on to learn the tourism trends you can use to start your tour business in 2024.

Reasons to be cheerful about tourism in 2024

These findings were backed up by UNWTO’s latest Tourism Confidence Index survey of travel professionals. It found that “67% of tourism professionals indicating better or much better prospects for 2024 compared to 2023.”

According to the UNTWO, reasons to be optimistic in 2024 include:

• An uptick in the reopening of several source markets and destinations in Asia
• An increase in Chinese outbound and inbound tourism
• More travel to and around the Middle East and Africa through a unified tourist visa implemented by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
• Strong outlook for travel to Europe, for example for the Paris Summer Olympics, and from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar

On the flip side, according to UNWTO findings, “Persisting inflation, high interest rates, volatile oil prices and disruptions to trade can continue to impact transport and accommodations costs in 2024.” In addition, if you have been having difficulties finding staff, you’re not alone. Many tourism businesses continue to face challenges filling vacancies to help them meet the steadily rising demand from travellers.

Overall though, 2024 promises an exciting array of tourism trends that cater to diverse interests and preferences. Let’s take a look at travel and tourism business ideas for 2024, with a focus on ideas for tours, events, activities and attractions that your travel business could use to attract new and existing customers alike. 

Trending tourism business ideas for 2024

1. sustainable tourism and ecotours.

According to the UNWTO report, many travellers will consider “sustainable practices and adaptability” when making their travel plans in 2024. They are not only interested in booking with tour companies that do business in a sustainable way, but they also want to travel in an eco-friendly way, seek out eco-friendly places to stay and book activities and tours with a sustainability element. This is backed up by Arival’s “ The 2024 U.S. Tour Taker ,” which found that nature tours and other “ecotours” are in high demand from US travelers in particular. 

Booking.com’s trends report for 2024 prompted the online travel marketplace to predict that ”the world of travel is poised for a sustainable makeover,” as travellers seek out eco-friendly places to stay and activities and locations with a sustainability element. TravelPulse reported that many travelers increasingly look to travel off season and seek out less well-known destinations to do their bit to try to decrease overtourism.

So-called “ecotours” let tourists enjoy a vacation while also learning about environmental and sustainability issues in a particular location. Some enable people to do something tangible to help, such as volunteering to plant trees or help to restore habitats. Many travelers these days also seek out “small footprint” or socially-responsible travel. This may not be an ecotour as such; it could just mean they favor tour companies that take steps to minimize the impact of their tours or incorporate a social responsibility element. Booking.com’s  Sustainable Travel Report 2023 found that 76 percent of travelers want to travel more sustainably in 2024. 

2. Train travel

From the “Flying Scotsman” to the “Orient Express,” there are few more romantic ways to travel than by train. However, train travel continues to overlap with other trends in our list, as it becomes more popular as a way to travel more sustainably by reducing car and air travel, traveling slower (unless we’re talking train travel in Japan) and for longer, as well as traveling to more countries on the same trip. Train travel as both a means to travel and see more of a destination continues to increase in popularity. Euromonitor International found that in 2024, “the fastest growing travel category worldwide is rail transport at 35.6 percent over 2023-2024.”

Train travel can also offer scenic views, comfortable travel with spacious seats, sleeping accommodations for longer or overnight trips, the opportunity to socialize with other travelers, and convenient access to city centers. Again overlapping with other trends, train travel also offers more immersive travel experiences and lets travelers see more of a country while mixing with locals. Many countries and rail companies, especially in Europe, offer passes that let travelers visit multiple places in one trip without leaving the ground.

3. Food and drink experiences 

Many of the reports we looked at highlighted culinary experiences as a trend for 2024. After all, who doesn’t like a good meal or drinks with friends? Many travellers want to combine their love of food with their love of travel. Food tours allow travellers to savour the authentic flavours of a destination while discovering, and literally getting a taste for, its cultural heritage. Activities such as cooking classes let travelers enjoy an even more immersive culinary experience. 

While winery tours have long been a favourite travel activity for wine lovers, an explosion of craft beer, vodka, gin and other drink producers provides a multitude of other opportunities for drink-related tours activities. They can cater as much to enthusiasts looking to indulge in the finer things in life, as true connoisseurs. Booking.com found that 78 percent of travellers want to experience new foods, and half go to the length of organizing trips around specific restaurants or dishes, including iconic dishes of particular destinations. And keep an eye on “wild-feasting”—a new trend where you not only eat locally-grown ingredients but forage for, and even cook, them in the wild.

4. Sports tourism

Sport is a passion for many people around the world, and travelers often like to combine their love of a particular sport or sports team with their passion for travel. In 2024, Europe hosts the Paris Summer Olympics and the soccer UEFA Euro 2024, while soccer lovers often travel to see their favourite team in England, Spain, Germany and the top European leagues. However, even smaller teams get a look in. The Netflix show Welcome to Wrexham has put the small Welsh town on the map after Hollywood stars Rob Mcelhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought the local soccer team.

As well as events like the Olympics, there are also annual events that attract global interest, such as the Super Bowl, the Tour de France and Formula One, which also has a hit TV show, Formula 1: Drive to Survive . A sporting, or other, event can provide a reason for people to visit a particular location, even if they don’t have tickets, to sample the atmosphere and explore the sights. 

5. Tours and experiences with locals

Immersing oneself in the local culture is made possible through tours or experiences led by knowledgeable locals. These insiders offer unique insights, hidden gems, and authentic encounters that enhance the overall travel experience. They help meet a growing demand for more immersive experiences that take travelers inside a location and culture and deepen their understanding of it. Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report  found that many travellers will prioritize experiences (85%), exploring the unknown, trying local food, and learning about the local culture.

Indigenous experiences are still a growing trend. Countries around the world, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, are making an increased effort to reverse past wrongs when it comes to treatment of Indigenous peoples, while also empowering Indigenous communities to take a lead in areas like travel and tourism. 

6. Transformational trips

A buzz phrase you heard a lot of in 2023 was “transformational retreat,” and 2024 looks likely to continue the trend. Booking.com’s 2024 travel trends report prompted them to label 2024 as a year that reinforced that “travel isn’t just an escape, but a catalyst for experiencing our best lives.”

A transformational trip is a travel experience designed around a specific activity, personal goal, or mental or physical health need. They can include retreats that cater to people who want to undergo a significant personal or spiritual transformation, or at least get away from it all in order to return refreshed. Retreats and activities include meditation, yoga, therapy, workshops, and other experiential practices. Most promote self-awareness, personal growth, and positive change, typically taking place in a secluded and peaceful setting and led by experienced facilitators or coaches. 

Wellness vacations have been a growing tourism business trend for some time, with demand accelerated by the pandemic. Tours that offer people the chance to pamper themselves and generally recalibrate are likely to be extremely popular for the foreseeable future.

7. Quiet travel

Not everyone is looking for a transformational outcome from their vacation; many simply want to unwind and enjoy some quality “me time.” Continuing the 2023 trend, many people still want to unplug and undertake a “digital detox.” They could be seeking respite from “doom scrolling” through social media and news feeds on their digital devices, or they just want a break from the glowing screens so prevalent in their day-to-day. 

Trips that encourage travelers to leave their devices at home will be popular, whether to a wellness retreats that bans or discourages digital devices, or an out-of-the-way destination that makes electronic communication extremely difficult. As well as digital detoxing, an example of a trend that is still going strong is forest bathing. This involves becoming immersed in nature to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can be as simple as going for a long walk through a forest, or sitting by a lake and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural surroundings. Research has shown that forest bathing can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and even boost the immune system and reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

8. Skip-gen travel

Deloitte’s “2024 travel industry outlook” report found that the baby boomer generation is getting back into the swing of things when it comes to traveling. This could be a factor in the emergence of a trend towards “skip generation trips” or skip-gen travel. This is when grandparents take their grandkids on vacation as a way for these two generations to bond and create some memories. Boomers can have more disposable income and more time, and parents with kids that can travel in this way appreciate the chance to travel on their own or just enjoy a break at home. All-inclusive resorts and other places with lots of activities for different generations are popular skip generation trips.

9. Solo travel 

Of course, not everyone has a posse to travel with or wants to travel with others. Solo travel continues to be very popular and has moved from a niche to a mainstream market. A Skyscanner report found that 40 per cent wanted to travel solo for mental health wellness reasons, while singles and divorcees ranked highly for being ready to take a solo trip. The report concludes: “There is no longer any stigma attached to taking a trip on your own, and many tour companies cater specifically to this market.”

Arival ’s 2024 U.S. Tour Taker report found that the preference for independent travel increases with age, with 38 percent of people over 55 preferring to go it alone, compared with 26 percent of the 18-34 group. ​This indicates that older, more experienced travelers, who are often more affluent, prefer small group and independent travel. ​Women travelling on their own or with other women also continues to be a growing trend, with a number of tour operators dedicated to women-only trips.

10. Frontier travel

While it may sound like something out of the script for the TV show Westworld , frontier travel is a new travel trend for 2024 that takes travelers into wilder, more unusual destinations off the beaten track. This could mean grand adventures like following in the footsteps of great explorers across the Drake Passage to Antarctica or up Everest. Or it could mean taking a guided group trip to hike to and camp in a remote location or journey down a river by kayak or canoe.

These trips need a certain element of adventure and excitement, challenging travelers to get out of their comfort zone. This ties in with the transformational trip trend above, as people seek experiences that they will not only remember forever, but that could change them forever.

11. Hush trips, workcations, and micro-cations

In our 2023 report we highlighted the trend toward “hush trips” (when remote workers take a workcation without telling their boss) and workcations, when people travel abroad with the intention of combining a vacation with work. This kind of travel continues to be popular, and accommodation providers—from hotels to Airbnb apartments—often boast of dedicated work areas and other facilities for remote workers.

Many such trips are “micro-cations,” short trips often taken close to home, often at the last minute. The micro-cation trend has continued to grow for the last few years, as people look for quick, convenient, and often budget-friendly getaways that don’t require a lot of planning. When you combine the acceptance of remote working among many more employers with a large number of people who left the office behind and didn’t miss it for a second, you have an opportunity to create workcation and hush trip experiences for digital nomads and remote workers.  

12. Traveling for “bleisure”

The tourism industry and travel press do love a good old portmanteau to describe the latest trend. Hot on the heels of workcations, the related trend of “bleisure” shows no sign of letting up. Bleisure is a name coined to describe the trend of business travellers tacking on some leisure time to the end of business trips or just taking their family along with them. Where a workcation is often a longer trip designed around work, the growth of bleisure trips reflects the fact that as business travel bounces back, people still want as much vacation time as they can get. 

Deloitte’s “2024 travel industry outlook” report found that corporations are more concerned with costs than COVID now, but “trips to build client relationships and support team collaboration remain key to business success.” In fact, the report found that “US corporate travel spend is still likely to finally pass the pre-pandemic line within the next year.”

13. Set-jetting

If you’ve ever wanted to visit the set of your favourite movie or TV show, you’re not alone. A top travel trend for 2023 that is continuing in 2024 is “set-jetting,” when travelers visit destinations primarily because they were featured in a popular movie, TV show, or book. According to research, 39 percent of travelers have booked trips to places featured on shows or movies ( Expedia ). While people have long been drawn to iconic movie locations, perhaps the earliest example of mass set-jetting was New Zealand’s tourism industry getting a huge boost after the country played a leading role in the “Lord of The Rings” movies. Fans of the “Outlander” books and TV series have also been making pilgrimages to Scotland to see the country that provides the backdrop for their favourite show.

People don’t just want to visit the actual physical set and filming location, but also just the cities or countries featured in a particular production. Popular shows where the location is as much the star of the show as the actors, such as “The Crown” (England,) “Emily in Paris” (Paris,) and “The White Lotus” (Sicily), have been credited with triggering a surge in demand for particular locations and experiences relating to the shows, such as a themed tour. And tour companies like Black Tomato have jumped on the trend to offer set-jetting itineraries .

14. Destination dupes

The economic upheaval we saw through 2022 and 2023 looks set to continue through 2024, . Inflation and cost of living rises mean while the desire to travel is still strong, many travelers will still have at least one eye on their budget. This has led to a new trend called destination dupes,  when people seek out trips to locations that offer similar experiences to well-known or preferred locations, but that are more cost-effective. 

Hotel giant Marriott commissioned a survey of over 14,000 travellers , and over 25 percent said they were choosing destination dupes in 2024. Examples of dupes include someone who lives in the US choosing a Canadian lake resort over an Italian Lakes destination. Here’s a good guide to popular holiday swaps for 2024 .

15. Coolcations

In the wake of rising temperatures and an increase in the number and intensity of wildfires in parts of North America, Europe and around the world, keeping cool is likely to be top of mind for many travelers in 2024—even among those who typically seek out the sun for their vacation.

Enter the “colocation.” Marriott’s survey found that over half of respondents would be considering climate change when planning their trips. Fifty-six percent said they were more interested in cooling down than baking in the sun. This makes areas like northern Europe a popular destination dupe as people look for similar attractions, such as culture, scenery, etc., to the hotter locations they might have chosen in the past but with a cooler climate.

16. Gig tripping

Just as the trend of people taking trips to sports and other events has grown, so too has this travel trend that is music to the ears of the travel industry. For example “swifties” from around the world are flocking to Taylor Swift concerts abroad, especially if tickets in their home country, especially the US, are hard to come by. CN Traveler called this the Swift Effect, as people travel to one-off gigs to see their favourite performer, as well as established (Glastonbury in the UK and Coachella in the US) and new (Untold in Romania) multi-day music festivals.

17. Sleep retreats

As we highlighted in our 2023 trends, everyone likes a good night’s sleep, especially on vacation, and the travel industry is waking up to the opportunities offered by a rise in “sleep tourism.” This trend continues to grow. Some travelers simply want a relaxing holiday with a comfortable bed and in an environment conducive to getting plenty of rest. For example, the Park Hyatt New York offers a stay in their  One Bedroom Sleep Suite by Bryte . Others are taking advantage of a growth in technology geared towards helping people get their eight hours a night, and are booking “sleep retreats.” Swedish bed brand Hastens opened a branded Sleep Spa , and the  HOTEL de LËN offers guests a “regenerative sleep experience.” Good night, sleep well.  

These are just a selection of travel business trends for 2024 that could open up new opportunities for your tour business. For example, we haven’t even touched on how technology is changing the travel industry. And don’t forget traditional travel experiences, or in-destination activities. The Arival report highlighted that sightseeing tours, “hop-on, hop-off” experiences, and other tried and tested travel experiences and ways of seeing the sights are still going strong.

How to take advantage of innovative tourism business ideas

In an ever-evolving landscape of travel and tourism, the trends for 2024 reflect a desire for authenticity, sustainability, and immersive experiences. From eco-conscious adventures to culinary escapades and everything in between, travelers are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring the world in new and exciting ways. Embracing these trends promises to enrich the travel experience and create lasting memories for adventurers of all kinds.

The key to taking advantage of these innovative tourism business ideas and other tourism industry trends is to always be thinking of your next profitable business opportunity. Here are a few ways to keep on top of what’s new and interesting in the travel business:

Maintain an ideas file

Include those “out there” trends that seem absurd the first time you hear them. Think about some recent innovations that would have been dismissed with a laugh not that long ago: Self-driving cars, passenger space travel, drone deliveries… Even that Holy Grail of futuristic inventions, the personal jetpack, is getting closer to reality. All but the most outlandish trends are worth tracking in case there’s a germ of an idea for a new business opportunity in there.

Listen to your audience

Hang out in online travel discussion forums, on social media, and in other places where travelers gather to swap notes and ideas or express needs and dreams. You might uncover a new business idea no-one else has come across yet.

Follow your competitors

Monitor what your direct competitors and others in the tourism business are up to. Subscribe to every industry newsletter you can, including those of your competitors, to keep up with emerging trends and help with your business idea generation.

Solicit customer feedback

Be proactive in asking your customers for feedback. Don’t just ask them what they liked and didn’t like about their experience with your company; ask them if there’s anything they would like to do that they currently can’t. 

Invest in the right booking system

It goes without saying that every tour operator should offer online booking and take a mobile-first approach. Not doing both of those things makes taking advantage of the above trends very difficult. The customer experience starts the moment they enter your website. Online booking enables them to easily browse, book, and pay for tours anytime and from is anywhere. Learn more about how Rezgo booking software is  tailor-made for adventure companies.

At Rezgo, we always have our ear to the ground when it comes to the latest tourism trends and business opportunities. The Rezgo booking system is a comprehensive platform that enables you to become a more

Written By | Rob Mathison

Rob Mathison is a Vancouver-based freelance writer focusing on tech, travel, digital marketing, and education. He is a co-author of The Complete Resident’s Guide to Vancouver.

Previous Article Promoting Travel Products With Google Things To Do

Next Article Rezgo Update 12.15: Powered Up Price Tiers, Meta Pixel Tracking, And More

Related Posts

Articles , Increase Online Bookings , Tourism Trends

Articles , Increase Online Bookings , Marketing Strategies

Your marketing mix: the 7 ps of travel and tourism marketing.

Articles , Increase Online Bookings , Tourism Best Practices

Advantages and disadvantages of online travel agencies (otas), search the blog.

• All Categories
• Tourism Trends

Most Popular Articles

• 17 Innovative Tourism Business Ideas and Trends for 2024 114 views
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) 16 views
• Your Marketing Mix: the 7 Ps of Travel and Tourism Marketing 11 views
• How to Create a Business Plan for Your Tour or Travel Company 10 views
• How to Create and Promote Amazing Tour Packages 8 views

I have read and agree to the Rezgo Privacy Policy

GET STARTED

Sign-up for a free demo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmo tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Schedule A Demo

• Join Us: Arival 360 | San Diego 2024, 30 Sep - 3 Oct 2024 ◆ Arival | Activate Edinburgh, 23-25 Nov 2024 ◆ Arival 360 | Valencia 2025, 28-30 Apr 2025
• 30 Sep 2024 Ignite with Viator 30 Sep - 3 Oct 2024 Arival 360 | San Diego 2024 23-25 Nov 2024 Arival | Activate Edinburgh 2024 28-30 Apr 2025 Arival 360 | Valencia 2025
• All Events >
• Insider Pro Meetup | Mid-Summer Meetup: Reflect & Connect with Arival Insiders The Outlook for Experiences in Australia & New Zealand Webinar Insider Pro Meetup | The Opportunity of Openness: Attracting the LGBTQ+ Traveler Insider Pro Meetup | A Job Well Done – Get Started Selling Corporate Tours US & Europe Traveler Trends Webinar: Insights for a Successful Summer Innovation Showcase @ Arival 360 | Berlin 2024
• Arival Spotlight Awards
• Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards
• Introducing Spotlight Awards
• TOURREVIEW SPOTLIGHT WINNERS ORLANDO 2023
• METHODOLOGY
• TOURREVIEW SPOTLIGHT AWARDS FAQS
• Arival Spotlight Winners
• Arival Spotlight Submissions
• Spotlight FAQ

ARIVAL 360 | SAN DIEGO

30 september – 3 october 2024.

Insider Pro Access Members save 20%

THE event of the year for solutions-focused in-destination experience creators and sellers

Save up to $520 with the Last Call to Save ticket available through 27 August

• Tour Business Evolution: Smart Scaling Strategies The Affluent Experiences Traveler Over 130 Resellers, Restechs Have Implemented OCTO Top Six Ways to Diversify Your Revenue
• Distribution
• Operator Stories

ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH 2024

23-25 november 2024.

THE event of the year for the European in-destination experiences industry

Save up to £380 with the Summertime Savings Ticket

• The Affluent Experiences Traveler The LGBTQ+ Experiences Traveler The State of Experiences in Australia & New Zealand The Outdoor Adventure & Activities Traveler
• REPORT SERIES: The 2024 U.S. Experiences Traveler
• Search All >

ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA

28-30 APRIL 2025

Save up to €940 with the Early Bird Ticket Through 3 September

• Marketing with Google
• Culinary Experiences Guide
• Arival Booking System Guide
• How to Choose a Booking System | CHECKLISTS
• Insider Pro Access membership
• Insider Free membership
• Elevate Sessions
• Arival ProShield Insurance
• Employers Dashboard
• Job Board – Post A Job
• Search Our Talent Pool
• Job Seeker Dashboard
• Join Our Talent Pool
• Job Resources
• Tour Guides & Directors
• In-destination Specialty Career
• Marketing & PR
• Operations & Logistics
• Water & Theme Parks
• All Job Categories >
• Join Arival Insiders Free
• Subscriptions
• Group Subscriptions
• Members FAQ

How to Start a Tour Business: From Passion to Profit in the Tourism Industry

Learn how to start a tour business, turning travel passion into profit. From finding your niche to running your first tour, get your venture going

by Kate Cornell | 16 July 2024

From dreaming to doing, starting a tour company from the ground up can be one of the most rewarding ventures you’ll ever embark on. Not to mention the most challenging. Transforming your passion and stories into tours that captivate your audience requires more than just creativity. It demands strategic planning and an understanding of the market you want to break into. 

Back in 2022, in the State of Tours, Activities & Attractions report, Arival projected that the global tours and activities industry would reach $183 billion by this year, and operators surveyed in 2024 were overall optimistic about their prospects.

So what’s stopping you from getting started on turning your passion into profit?

In this guide, you’ll find invaluable tips, perspectives, and reflections from tour operators and industry veterans on how to start a tour company. This walkthrough will help you navigate this exciting journey as you start a tour business, and what it takes to be successful. The good news: Don’t be too worried about getting in the weeds of how to become a tour operator just yet. It all starts with a genuine love for what you do. 

Here’s what we’ll cover

Understanding the Tour Business Landscape

Legal and practical foundations, preparing for operations, launching your tour business: transitioning from passion to profit.

The tourism landscape is an exciting place to start a tour business. It’s a complex and diverse landscape, but travelers — your potential customers — are not interested in everything being the same. In that complexity and diversity is the opportunity for you to find a way to earn a living doing what you love. 

Identify Your Niche

The first step to starting a successful tour company is identifying your niche. This means finding a specific area or theme that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in. Whether it’s food tours, historical walks, adventure excursions, or cultural experiences, your point of view and storytelling in that category will set you apart from the competition, especially as travelers are seeking out memorable tourism experiences now more than ever.

“I don’t think people should be thinking about trends because I think the trend is that there’s an audience for just about everything now,” according to TripSchool co-founder Mitch Bach. “Now with digital marketing, you can connect with a niche, as well as be as interesting or obscure as you want to be. I think it’s the best time to be in this industry because twenty years ago you probably had to build more generic products for more general audiences and now you can build full businesses and happy lives by being as unique and interesting as you want yourself to be in the world.”

Understand Your Market

Before launching your tour company, it’s crucial to understand your target market. Who are your ideal customers? What are their interests and preferences? Conducting market research will provide you with insights into the demographics and even the psychographics of your potential clients. 

You can use simple techniques to get this valuable data. Send your tour scripts to a group of friends, and ask them for constructive feedback. Set up a Google or Zapier survey via a form and send it to community groups you belong to. Look at reviews of similar tours on platforms like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews. Identify common themes in customer feedback to understand what people enjoy and what they don’t. Explore the latest Arival consumer research to find out what travelers are prioritizing and looking for.

Be prepared: It can sometimes lead to you having to adjust your format to reach the audience you want to serve. “The most challenging aspect of starting my own tour company has been removing my bias and trying to see things through the lens of my guests,” reflects Eric Curry, who started his eponymous tour company in 2021 to tell native tales and history of San Francisco. “I think that when you find the balance between the things that interest your guests and what you are passionate about is when you will find success in your business.” 

For those still deciding where to land, look to what travelers want: authentic, immersive, and bookable online. Further, eco-friendly and sustainable travel options are still increasingly popular, especially among Millennials and Gen Z travelers. Tailoring your tours to meet these demands can set you on the path to success.

Develop a Solid Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan is essential for any new business, and a tour company is no exception. Your business plan should outline your company’s mission, target market, marketing strategy, financial projections, and operational plan. This document will serve as your roadmap and help you stay focused on your goals.

Take the time to detail every aspect of your business, from pricing models to staffing needs, to ensure you’re well-prepared for the challenges ahead. According to a recent Skift report, venture capital investment in the travel industry hit a decade low in 2023, but recovery is imminent. Ensuring you are set up for success in the case you need to raise funding is crucial to staying ahead. 

However, there’s also something to say for just getting out there and getting started. “You can put up your own mental roadblocks and think because it’s safer to remain theoretical,” Bach said. “And when you’re starting a tour business things can get real very quickly. You can put up a website with some copy about you and a tour experience. Even if you don’t have everything figured out, you can start selling it even as you’re figuring out all of the other pieces of the business.” 

Operator Takeaways:

• Be bold, tell a unique story.
• Use feedback from friends, surveys, and user reviews on similar offerings to refine your scripts and itineraries, and align them with customer interests.
• Pinpoint what it means for you to offer authentic and immersive elements of a tour.
• Don’t try to compete in oversaturated areas of your market. Innovate, don’t replicate. 
• Take action and start selling your tours even as you refine your business model.

30 September – 3 October 2024

Insider Pro Access Members Save 20%

THE event of the year for solutions-focused In-Destination Experience creators and sellers

You’ve got the vision, you outlined a plan, and now what? It’s time to set up a legitimate business entity. 

There are a series of legal and administrative steps necessary to launch a tour business. For starters you will need to register your business and obtain the necessary insurance.

Register Your Business

The process of registering your business may differ depending on where you are located. Your national, provincial, regional or state authority should provide guidance on how to register a business in your location and understand the regulations governing tour operations in your local region.

There are also different structures to consider. While most operators start out with sole proprietorship or as a limited liability company (LLC), there may be more to consider depending on your business goals, from registering as a cooperative to even franchising your business.  

If you’re unsure where to start, look to your local tourism board or destination management organization (DMO) for guidance. You can also tap the tour operator community for advice — connect with fellow operators on LinkedIn, at an upcoming Arival event , and even on places like Reddit .

Secure Liability Insurance

Running a tour company requires various licenses and permits, depending on your location and the nature of your tours. It’s crucial to research the legal requirements in your area and ensure you comply with all regulations. This might include business licenses, special permits for certain types of tours, and insurance coverage. 

Choosing the right insurance coverage involves assessing your business risks, considering your budget, and understanding policy exclusions and limitations. Partnering with a reliable insurance provider familiar with the travel industry is crucial for ensuring comprehensive protection for your tour company. 

Depending on your needs, you may require other types of insurance in addition to liability insurance, such as property damage coverage, business interruption insurance, commercial auto insurance, and so on. 

Learn more here about which tour operator insurance is right for you. If you’re a U.S.-based operator, be sure to look into this specially tailored for tour operators product: Arival ProShield Insurance. 

• To make your idea a reality, start by registering your business!
• Familiarize yourself with the regulations governing tour operations in your local region.
• Get protected: ensure you have the appropriate insurance in place before you begin operating tours.

The success of your tour company hinges on the quality of the experiences you offer. Your tours should be engaging, informative, and memorable. This requires thorough research, meticulous planning, and a deep understanding of your subject matter.

It also takes a commitment to best practices and establishing processes to keep you organized. Here are just a few ways to get started on creating a well-oiled tour operations machine. 

Hiring and Training Tour Guides

For many tour operators, it’s the ability to connect with guests that brings them the most joy in running a tour company.  

“A great tour experience is only possible when you are connecting with guests on a truly human level,” says Michaela Gonzales, founder of Mick’s Bootique Tours . “People travel because they want to understand the world. Yes, they want to see the big-ticket items and be entertained, but they also want to explore and have authentic local experiences. Guides can help them by being welcoming, honest, and genuinely interested in guests enough that they can cater the experience to them.”

Mick’s Bootique Tours founder, Michaela Gonzales, leads the Walk with Spirits, A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco, and tours in Dublin, Ireland. I Photo: Mick’s Bootique Tours 

It’s one thing to connect with guests when you run the tours yourself. But how do you ensure you are achieving this kind of connection on tour consistently, regardless of who is guiding each tour?

You need to build a business that isn’t totally dependent on you. 

“You need to be designing something that could be delivered by somebody else,” Bach advises. “But it really comes back to doing that work on what is your why and what are you about, even a simple three words that come to mind, the anchor points. It’s about the brand story, and the story you are telling yourself. Once you get that clear it becomes much easier to understand who the right guide is, the right operations manager for your business, and so on.”

Learn more about tour guide training here. Arival Insider Pro Access members can also learn more about hiring great tour guides in this on-demand video on The Secrets of Hiring, Training & Retaining Guides.

Setting Up a Booking System

With travelers increasingly booking online and on mobile , setting up an efficient online booking system is crucial for the success of your tour company. A robust booking system not only streamlines your operations but also enhances the customer experience, ensuring seamless reservations, less booking errors, and increased sales. 

Consider booking software — also known as reservation systems, “res-tech,” or ticketing software — specifically designed for tour operators, such as Fareharbor , Rezdy and Bókun : see a longer list of examples of tour operator booking software here. Many of these platforms offer tailored features like integrations with online resellers, support for custom and dynamic pricing, and the ability to handle complex itineraries.

Key Features to Look For :

• User-Friendly Interface : Your booking software should be intuitive and easy to navigate for both customers and staff. A clear, straightforward process reduces the likelihood of booking abandonment.
• Real-Time Availability : Ensure your system updates availability in real-time to prevent double bookings and provide accurate information to customers.
• Secure Payment Processing : Integrated payment gateways should offer secure transactions, giving customers confidence in their purchases.
• Mobile Compatibility : With the rise of mobile bookings, your system must be optimized for smartphones and tablets to cater to on-the-go travelers.
• Integration with Other Tools : Look for a system that integrates with your website, accounting software, and marketing tools to streamline operations and data management.

Check out our Arival Guide on How to Choose a Booking System to learn more. Arival Insider Pro members can also access checklists to help with this process.

Pricing Models :

The pricing structure of a booking system is an important consideration when deciding which one to work with, and different pricing models can work better for different types of companies. The two most common pricing models are:

• Fee-per-Booking : This model charges a commission on each booking, ideal for smaller operators as it ties costs directly to sales volume. However, different systems have varying payment processing charges and fees.
• Subscription : This model involves a fixed monthly or annual fee, providing predictable costs and often includes more advanced features. It can be more cost-effective for larger operators with higher booking volumes.

The Arival Guide on How to Choose a Booking System breaks down the pricing models and explains the various fees involved. See also our updated Guide to Booking System Pricing for a detailed overview of rates from some of the most popular platforms.

Embrace AI for Efficiency

Embracing AI in your tour business doesn’t mean you need to be a tech expert. There are many user-friendly tools and platforms designed specifically for small and medium-sized tour operators. Start by exploring how AI can help you streamline your admin and operations, so you can focus on how to create more engaging and personalized tour experiences.

If you are a sole proprietor or operating with a lean team, imagine using AI as a virtual marketing assistant that learns about your customers’ preferences. AI can analyze data from previous bookings, social media, and even real-time behavior to offer personalized recommendations that resonate with each traveler. 

Check out the Arival Guide to AI in Travel Experiences . Arival Insider Pro Access members can dig deeper on real-world examples of how AI is being used in travel experience companies with AI in Experiences: Case Studies in Emerging Tech. 

• Build a business that isn’t dependent solely on you; focus on clear brand stories to guide hiring excellent tour guides, and provide them with ample training to carry out your vision.
• Ensure your booking software is user-friendly, real-time, secure, mobile-compatible, and integrates with other tools.
• Consider how AI can help you streamline your operations.

As you embark on the exciting journey of starting your own tour business, remember that the key to success lies in balancing passion with strategic planning. Embrace the challenges, stay committed to continuous improvement, and let your unique perspective shine. With dedication, creativity, and the right strategies, you can build a thriving tour business that captivates travelers and stands out in the ever-evolving market. 

Now that you know how to start a tour business, it’s time to take the first step—transform your passion into profit and start creating unforgettable experiences for your guests.

About the Author

Kate Cornell is an editorial and digital strategist with many years of experience in the experiences sector of travel, and has spoken at Arival on the topics of writing tour descriptions, and the “content conundrum.” She has led global editorial teams for travel brands including Viator and Tripadvisor, helped build startups such as TourismSolved, and worked behind the scenes as a content consultant for leading travel and luxury brands.

Become an Insider Pro Access member today and get access to the full library of Arival research, plus many other benefits such as free consulting sessions, special discounts and 20% off in-person events, starting from $179 per year.

Sign up to receive insights tailored for the in-destination industry as well as updates on Arival.

Header photo: Ivana Cajina / Unsplash

Tour Business Evolution: Smart Scaling Strategies

The Affluent Experiences Traveler

Over 130 Resellers, Restechs Have Implemented OCTO

Top Six Ways to Diversify Your Revenue

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

• Scope : Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
• Audience : Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
• Arival Theater Content : Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
• Breakout Sessions : In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
• Networking : Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
• Location : Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
• Attendees : Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
• Scope : Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
• Audience : Operators and industry professionals from the region.
• Content : Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
• Breakout Sessions : Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
• Networking : With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
• Location : Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
• Attendees : Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
• Global vs. Regional Focus : Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
• Event Size : Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
• Content and Sessions : Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
• Location Experience : Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
• Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

already a member?

Username or Email

Remember me

Lost your password?

NEED TO REGISTER?

Included in Free Membership

Included in Arival Pro Membership

The Arival on-demand video library archive Access to the entire library of over 150 video sessions and webinars

Arival.guides Short, digestible research & trends reports delivering insights into our industry, such as The Tour Operator Outlook for 2021.

Arival.travel articles Topical articles about marketing, tech, operator business and operator stories in all areas of tours, activities & attractions & experiences

Job board access Find a job from our regular listings, post a resume to the talent network and learn strategies from the job resources articles

New webinars Helpful, instructional sessions covering subjects such as Mastering Facebook Ads, Grow Your Business and How To Work With OTAs — topics to help advance your business.

Discounts on all Arival in-person events 20% Discount on all Arival in-person events (save up to $300)* based on business type

Arival ProShield – Insurance program Access to tailored insurance solutions by Granite Insurance is available exclusively for Arival Insider Pro Access Members. Insider Pro Access Members also have access to a suite of resources from Granite Insurance including templates, forms and other informative documents.

Insiders Pro Access member exclusive webinars Paid membership-only webinars to deepen your understanding of important industry topics.

Job postings & talent directory Post jobs & connect with candidates most applicable to your business.

Private roundtables to connect, learn and engage Small, focused and intimate discussions exclusive to Arival Insider Pro Access members.

Full access to Arival’s library of in-depth reports Up to date, deep analysis of tourism topics ranging from Self-guided Tours to Sales & Distribution Trends and Outlooks, based on the data that defines the industry.

The latest on-demand videos Over 350+ on-demand videos featuring hot topics in tours, activities & attractions

Insider discounts in digital marketing, tech, e-learning, and more Save money on additional tools, services and learnings you need to run your business. Exclusive to paid members.

UPCOMING EVENTS

At Arival, we believe travel can make the world a better place. Our mission is to establish and inspire a diverse community of individuals and companies in the In-destination Industry by providing opportunities to gain insight, share knowledge and build connections. To make it possible for true collaboration, creativity, innovation, and idea exchange to thrive, we are committed to facilitating a welcoming and respectful community for all. This Conference Code of Conduct shares our community expectations and applies to all attendees, employees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and other participants at Arival- produced and sponsored events. We empower all participants in our community to actively engage in creating a friendly, inclusive and safe environment for all.

Arival’s core values include the following, and create an expectation for conduct at our events and in online community spaces:

We demonstrate a  deep respect  for human beings inside and outside our company and for the communities in which they live. We  value integrity  and strive to consistently interact with others in ways that are authentic, ethical, and fair. We are  dedicated to transparency , committing to clear, open and honest communication. We  actively pursue and advocate for inclusion, diversity and representation  of varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives and ideas

Arival welcomes people from all cultural backgrounds, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, religion (including religious dress and grooming), marital status, domestic partner status, genetic information, age, national origin or ancestry, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Accordingly, participants must refrain from displaying any demeaning, harassing, aggressive, or intimidating behavior or materials that would interfere with others’ experience and participation in our community.

If you witness or are subjected to inappropriate or disruptive behavior or have any other concerns, notify an Arival staff member as soon as possible.

Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Arival reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any party from any event or community space at any time when participation or behavior create a disruption or hinder the event or enjoyment of the event by other participants. All determinations are at the sole discretion of Arival, and the decision of the Arival team will be final. Severe breaches of this Conference Code of Conduct may result in disqualification from participating in future events. Individuals expelled due to violating this Conference Code of Conduct will not be eligible for a refund or other consolation.

If you have questions regarding this Conference Code of Conduct or its implementation, please contact us at [email protected] .

Privacy Overview

Small Business Trends

15 innovative travel business ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs.

As the world finally opens up for business, the beleaguered travel industry is getting its groove back. Not surprisingly, this is attracting a number of small business owners to explore travel business ideas.

What Are Travel Businesses?

Travel businesses primarily revolve around providing diverse services that facilitate and enhance the experience of traveling.

These services can range from arranging lodging accommodations, vehicle rentals for transportation, curated excursions, and immersive activities that allow travelers to deeply engage with the local culture.

While the travel sector primarily focuses on the logistics of transportation and lodging, it deeply intertwines with the broader tourism industry.

Together, they aim to create memorable experiences for tourists, catering to their varied preferences and ensuring a smooth journey from start to finish.

READ MORE: Build A Travel Business You Can Sell With These 5 Tips

Be sure to check out Income Hub’s article, “7 Travel Business Ideas Trending With Low Startup Costs,” after you’re done reading:

The Travel and Hospitality Industry

The unanticipated global pandemic wreaked havoc on the travel and tourism sector. Consequently, and for a prolonged two-year period, businesses worldwide faced unprecedented challenges as international and domestic movements came to an almost complete standstill.

However, there’s renewed optimism that this is the year the industry will make a triumphant comeback. The continued prevalence of flexible working arrangements has given birth to a new category of travelers – those combining work with leisure.

Responding to this change, the travel industry is innovating to integrate work-friendly environments, such as co-working spaces within hotels or resorts.

Furthermore, a significant shift towards sustainable travel is becoming increasingly evident. Today’s travelers are not just satisfied with basic eco-friendly initiatives. They are actively seeking out holistic, sustainable travel experiences.

This encompasses everything from choosing accommodations that practice waste reduction, opting for transportation methods with a smaller carbon footprint, to prioritizing dining options that serve vegan dishes and use locally-sourced ingredients.

Why You Should Consider Starting Your Own Business In Travel

From a commercial standpoint, this is perhaps the best time to start your own business in travel.

Let’s take a look at the factors that make this a lucrative business opportunity.

• Potential to earn more: As traveling regains popularity, there are abundant opportunities to increase your income.
• Choose your domain: Another great thing about starting a travel-related business is you have plenty of options to explore. For example, you may choose to specialize in a domain such as travel photography or travel consulting based on your interest.
• Do without an office: Thanks to digitalization, a number of small travel businesses have gone completely online. This saves these online business owners both time and money.
• Partner with other service providers: As a business owner in this sector, you don’t have to venture out alone. You can easily tie up with other service providers and offer a better deal to your customers.
• Low startup cost: Many small businesses prefer the travel industry because of the low startup cost. Depending on the scale you have in mind, you can keep your business profitable.

READ MORE: Small Business Ideas for Beginners

Our Methodology to Choose the Best Travel Business Ideas

When exploring travel business ideas, it’s crucial to choose concepts that are not only viable in the current travel market but also resonate with the entrepreneur’s interests and capabilities. Here’s the methodology we used to evaluate potential travel business opportunities:

Market Demand and Travel Trends (Rating: 9/10)

Assessing the current and emerging trends in the travel industry was our starting point. We focused on business ideas that cater to popular travel trends, such as eco-tourism, adventure travel, or luxury experiences.

Niche Market Opportunities (Rating: 8/10)

We looked for niches within the travel sector that offer unique opportunities. This includes specialized tour services, niche accommodation options, or catering to specific traveler demographics.

Low Initial Investment and Overhead (Rating: 7/10)

Considering the startup costs and ongoing operational expenses was crucial. We prioritized travel business ideas that require minimal initial investment and have manageable overhead costs.

Flexibility and Lifestyle Fit (Rating: 8/10)

The travel industry often allows for flexibility in terms of operation. We selected ideas that can adapt to the entrepreneur’s lifestyle, whether they seek full-time engagement or part-time involvement.

Profitability and Revenue Streams (Rating: 8/10)

Evaluating the potential for profit and diverse revenue streams was key. We looked for travel business ideas with a clear path to profitability, including opportunities for ancillary services and upselling.

Scalability and Expansion Potential (Rating: 7/10)

The potential for scaling and expanding the business was another important factor. We considered travel business ideas that can grow over time, either through geographical expansion, franchising, or diversifying services.

Personal Passion and Expertise (Rating: 8/10)

Finally, aligning the business with personal interests and expertise in travel is vital. We focused on ideas that match the entrepreneur’s passion for travel, enhancing their dedication and satisfaction.

By applying these criteria, we aimed to identify travel business ideas that not only promise profitability and market relevance but also align with the entrepreneur’s passion for travel and lifestyle preferences.

Popular Travel Business Ideas

Today, the travel business goes beyond setting up an agency. Thanks to customers who continue to look for better options, there are a number of profitable travel business ideas. Let’s explore some of these in detail.

1. Tour Guide Business

This is the ideal business idea if you don’t have the capital to invest in your business – at least not in the initial phase. To succeed, you should have knowledge about the location where you operate. You should also be based in a place that draws enough travelers.

2. Bed and Breakfast Business

If you want to turn your home into a business location, a bed and breakfast is the right option for you. To make it popular with many travelers, you need to offer a truly great experience. This includes having a real passion for hosting different people and making them feel comfortable during their stay.

3. Car Rental Business

Many travelers rely on cars to move around when they travel. For this reason, a car rental is the most obvious choice for many of these travelers. If you have experience with automobiles and their maintenance, this business can work for you.

4. Scooter Rental Business

Many leisure travelers prefer using scooters, especially when the weather is great outdoors. To be able to start this business, you should have at least 3-4 scooters. You should also have in-depth knowledge about scooters.

5. Travel Photography Business

If solopreneurship is your calling, starting a travel photography company is one of the obvious choices. As a travel photographer, you have the flexibility and freedom to travel, take pictures and make money. Moreover, if you’re truly talented, you can make a lot of money through the various stock photography websites.

6. Translation services

Another popular option for those who want to run their business independently is translation services. And this skill will come in handy when you are contending with customers coming from the outside. As such, your ability to converse fluently in more than one language is especially useful when you are in a busy town that sees a lot of travelers.

7. Medical Tourism

In recent years, medical tourism has become widely popular in various parts of the world. In addition to the modern medical sciences, many people are interested in holistic, traditional treatment options. It goes without saying you need to have the right credentials to be able to start this lucrative business.

8. Adventure Trips

Adventure tourism is a niche within the travel industry. Extremely popular with young people, it is a great service-based business. Generally, you will have to gain experience and credentials to start this type of business.

9. Event Planning

Another business model that pays pretty well is corporate event planning. As an event planner, you will be responsible for designing unique corporate events. Be that as it may, this is not a one-person business. You will need a personal assistant and some extra manpower to succeed.

10. Travel Blogging

Making money through their travel blog is a full-time job for a number of travelers. Therefore, if you have the passion to write and document your adventures, you can turn yourself into a social media influencer. Of course, competition on social media platforms is quite fierce, but with good content, you can easily stand out.

More Great Ideas for Traveling Businesses

With several options to choose from, zeroing in on the best travel business idea may seem challenging. The trick is to focus on where your passion truly lies. Let’s explore some more ideas for your business.

11. Coffee Shop

Travelers all over the world need coffee to keep themselves energized. A coffee shop, therefore, is a great idea to attract a client base. Your choice of location will matter greatly when you set up your shop.

12. Glamping Business

Glamping brings glamor to the fun outdoor activity of camping. The idea is to create a sophisticated ambiance for campers. Of course, you need a great location and the right services in place to succeed with this.

13. Kayak Tours

Many adventurous travelers enjoy kayaking. But since bringing a kayak is often not an option for them, they have to rely on local businesses. Fortunately, this is where you can make a difference and make money through adventure sports.

14. Water Taxi Service

Depending on the location, you can offer water taxi services to your customers. This business requires you to make a small capital investment.

15. Travel Agency

Setting up an agency is a great idea if you have the adequate knowledge and manpower to cater to your customer demands. Meanwhile, if you lack the manpower, you can work as an independent operator or partner with a major travel company.

READ MORE: How to Start a Travel Agency

Comparison of Popular Travel Business Ideas

To better assist aspiring entrepreneurs in selecting a suitable travel business venture, we’ve compiled a table that compares various business ideas based on their startup capital requirement and potential profitability:

Technological Adaptations in the Travel Business Landscape

As the travel industry continues to evolve, it is undeniable that technology-driven innovations are at the forefront of this transformation. From the emergence of smart hotels and immersive AR/VR experiences to the convenience of contactless solutions and the precision of AI-powered personalization, travelers are witnessing a revolution that promises a more seamless and efficient journey.

Here’s a closer look at some of these cutting-edge advancements :

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality Tours: While VR provides an immersive experience where users feel like they are in a different location, AR enhances real-world views by overlaying them with digital elements, such as historical information or interactive exhibits. Both these tools allow potential travelers to explore and interact with a location or accommodation before making a booking, offering an enriched pre-travel experience.
• Contactless Technology : Given the hygiene concerns post-pandemic, the adoption of contactless payments, check-ins, and digital room keys has increased, ensuring safety and convenience for travelers.
• AI-Powered Personalization : To enhance customer experience, businesses are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence. AI tools analyze past travel behaviors to recommend tailor-made travel packages, ensuring a more personalized journey for each traveler.
• Environmental Monitoring Tools : With the rising emphasis on sustainable travel, some innovative platforms now offer real-time data on the environmental impact of travel choices. This can cover carbon footprints, energy consumption, and waste production, allowing travelers to make more informed, eco-friendly decisions.
• Mental Well-being Focus : Recognizing the pandemic’s toll on mental health, travel packages often include mindfulness and wellness components. Retreats, yoga sessions, and mental well-being workshops are becoming popular inclusions in travel itineraries.
• Smart Hotels: The concept of “Smart Hotels” encompasses automated room settings, robot-assisted services, integrated mobile apps, energy efficiency systems, and personalized guest experiences, revolutionizing the stay experience for travelers.

How Do You Start Your Own Travel Business?

Launching a travel business begins with a concrete vision and a meticulously detailed business plan. It’s pivotal to understand that while some niches in the travel segment might be lucrative, they may also demand a considerable initial financial outlay.

Thus, potential entrepreneurs should thoroughly evaluate their financial standing and possibly gravitate towards business models that are more budget-friendly, especially if initial capital is a concern.

Beyond finances, it’s crucial to introspect and understand the intrinsic motivations pushing one towards this industry.

Is it a passion for travel, an interest in other cultures, or the thrill of entrepreneurship? Recognizing this driving force can guide the business’s direction and ethos.

Image: Envato Elements

© Copyright 2003 - 2024, Small Business Trends LLC. All rights reserved. "Small Business Trends" is a registered trademark.

35+ creative travels and tour ideas for your tourism business

By Kevin Tjoe — 7 Feb 2022

business ideas   customer experience   marketing

Updated August 2023 – Are you weary of the monotonous 9 to 5 routine or feeling confined to your desk on a glorious day? Whether you’re aiming to break free from the grind or seeking to elevate your tourism business to new heights, the realm of possibilities awaits. Within the vast expanse of the tourism industry lies the canvas for an incredible business venture. It’s not just about forging a lucrative business, but about channeling your passion into a travel-related venture that resonates with your know-how and aspirations.

Amidst this landscape of opportunities, the spark of a great business idea can set the stage for crafting a truly profitable business. If you’re prepared to infuse your love for experiences with strategic thinking, get ready to unveil over 35 exciting tours and travel business ideas in our latest compilation. Your journey toward a rewarding and unforgettable business experience begins here.

Getting into the tour operator industry

The tourism industry is such a rewarding one to work in. As a tour or activity operator, you can spend your days with great people, share your special part of the world and even raise awareness of important cultural or environmental values.

Of course, even if you don’t directly run tours and activities there are many different ways to build an amazing career in tourism. You could run a travel-related business. For example, if you’re a travel photographer, you could run your own travel photography business. Some other type of business ideas are souvenir shops, hiking gear rentals, running a travel blog or becoming a travel blogger, or even providing catering for tour and activity operators.

Staying open-minded will help you find your ideal niche in the industry and help you achieve your goal of becoming an entrepreneur within the tourism space!

5 tourism business ideas to get started with

When you offer travel tours, you’re offering an enjoyable journey of some kindled by an experienced guide. Some of the hottest tours and travels business ideas right now include:

• Walking tours and bike tours
• Snorkeling tours
• Tours that take into account growing wine and food tourism trends , such as Hideaway Private Tours , Black Swan Tours , Darwin Gourmet Tours , and Mullarkey Tours
• Ghost or haunted location tours
• Scenic guided tours, such as Italy Pass Tours , Wineglass Bay Discovery Tours, Meteora Thrones , and Bruny Island Safari

There may also be a gap in your local area for a niche tour guide business. For example: if your hometown was the birthplace of a famous musician or even a centuries-old famous cuisine, there could be a perfect opportunity to tap into that interest!

Keep in mind there are two big growth areas to consider when it comes to offering tours for the modern traveler:

• Sustainable and ecotourism, because guests increasingly want to minimize their environmental impact when traveling. Find out more about proactive steps that sustainable tour operators can take here
• Culturally and socially responsible tours , where guests look for a genuine experience connecting with local people and practices

2. Activities

Tourism activities can encompass a vast array of options from the relaxing to the extreme! These could involve physical activities, connection with natural environments, or even incorporate virtual reality. Unique experiences such as hot air balloon rides are also an option for relaxing activities that involve a thrilling side to them. You could also consider more recent technology that people might be itching to try out, such as jet boarding , flyboarding,  and indoor skydiving . There may also be an opportunity to offer intentionally tech-free experiences – such as a retreat with no mobile reception where people can unwind!

Here are some other popular tourist activity ideas:

• Escape room experiences 
• Glowing art rooms or VR rooms
• Themed corporate retreats  or glamping
• Modern summer camps or school camps
• Survival or bushcraft trips
• Fitness or wellbeing retreats

There are two big notable areas to consider for tour operator activities. Think about:

• Activities that are family and group friendly , which are becoming popular within the travel industry as social restrictions ease.
• Accessibility . Tourism business owners should be actively looking for ways to support equal access so everyone can enjoy their activities – as best as possible for the activity in question.

3. Attractions

As a travel software provider , we can say with certainty that experiential travel is huge right now. Considering that experiential tourist attractions have both local and long-distance appeal for travelers, they offer an impressive amount of opportunities for growing tourism businesses. These can range from heritage attractions and natural formations to cutting-edge art exhibitions.

Here are more relevant ideas for building an attraction that guests will be keen to visit:

• Amusement parks 
• Niche museums and art galleries
• Festivals with amazing settings
• Garden and maze experiences
• Instagram-worthy photo rooms and experiences , such as Selfie Factory or Happy Place
• Magic shows,  such as Gentleman Magician
• Farms, petting zoos , and horse riding such as Sun Valley Mares and Swan Valley Wagon Tours

Nostalgia and retro appeal are also big right now in attractions, with everything from arcade games to Australia’s ‘ big things’ providing popular. Travelers are increasingly looking to explore the road less traveled and find novel experiences. So – even if you’re in a small regional area you could get in on the action by embracing the bizarre, weird, and wonderful!

4. Shuttles

As interstate and international travel resumes, there will be demand for airport transfers, shuttles , and unique transport options to and from accommodation. You might tap into the wedding transportation market, or offer fun journeys for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties. Consider how you’ll separate your shuttle service from the rest with either a unique form of transport, added options like food and drink, or a distinctive driver who adds to the experience. You might consider offering:

• An airport shuttle business
• Traveler shuttles to accommodate tour and travel bookings
• A party bus or ferry
• Specialist pet or luggage delivery
• Unique transport such as tuk-tuks, school buses, or a custom limo 
• Premium shuttle services .

It’s also worth considering the notable events in your area and how people might want to travel to these. Guests may get excited about a festival bus that transports them from the city to the festival site complete with karaoke, as just one example!

5. Charters & equipment hire

Travelers love charter services because they can have a luxurious or far-flung experience without having to buy all the equipment or vehicles themselves! There are numerous forms of rental businesses you could run such as self-driven charters, car rentals, or equipment hire. You could even go a step further by providing an experienced skipper or pilot as part of the product package. Ideas for modern charter businesses include:

• Party yachts for relaxed island days
• Fishing charters 
• Houseboat charters
• Private river cruise charters
• Hovercraft charters
• Kayak,  rafting, small boat hire , or paddle board
• Helicopter or small plane charters

For tour guides looking at how to run a charter boat business , it’s a great idea to promote the destination as well as the charter experience itself as the two go hand in hand.

A great charter experience is almost always about the escape from the everyday. It’s something guests are willing to splurge on, so be sure to consider ways you can elevate the experience. You can achieve this by offering optional extras and added services. If you are wondering how to sell tour packages with your charter service, extra bonuses like drink options, catering, entertainment, and DJs can help to boost your revenue.

6. Luxury vacation operators & Travel agency business

Guests love Luxury Vacations because they are money-rich but time-poor. They want to draw on the experience and expertise of their trusted travel agent or operator to discover the finest travel arrangements, boutique properties & off-the-beaten-track destinations. However, they may not have the time to research the thousands of options available to them. And because they may well only visit these destinations only once in their life and want to be sure they get the greatest possible experience. They’ll want the security of knowing they will be well looked after whilst visiting far-off countries with different languages and customs with which they are not familiar.

A great example of one such Luxury Vacation Operator is  The Luxury Peru Travel Company . Their services provide guests with a chance to discover one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu – in absolute luxury.

Building your tours and travels business ideas in the tour operator industry

If you have a brilliant business idea in mind, then you may be raring to put the wheels in motion. There will be a few things to think about as you build out your business idea, such as finding the best name for your business , developing your business plan , and deciding how you’ll take bookings securely online with real-time availability. One big advantage in the tourism industry is also the ability to partner with resellers , distributors, and other tourism and travel businesses to grow your bookings faster.

Rezdy supports you with both online bookings and a distribution platform  developed specifically for the experiences industry. We’re also here to support you as you start your business – simply register for your free 21-day trial or book a demo with the Rezdy team to see how we can help your business.

You can also explore our Resources section to find industry-specific guides across business operations, marketing, and more, with a range of free ebooks available to help you save time and increase your bookings. If you enjoyed this article – 35+ tours and travels business ideas – then make sure to follow the Rezdy blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and tour operator tips designed with businesses like yours in mind.

Create your business ideas with Rezdy

Enjoy a free 21-day trial to take a look around and see if we are a good fit for your business.

No obligations, no catches, no limits, nada

Markets & Segments

Generation Z travel trends and how to attract them to your tours & activities

How the severe weather in Europe is impacting tourism

Attracting the Chinese traveler: seizing opportunities in a global landscape

Everything that you need to know to start your own business. From business ideas to researching the competition.

Practical and real-world advice on how to run your business — from managing employees to keeping the books

Our best expert advice on how to grow your business — from attracting new customers to keeping existing customers happy and having the capital to do it.

Entrepreneurs and industry leaders share their best advice on how to take your company to the next level.

• Business Ideas
• Human Resources
• Business Financing
• Growth Studio
• Ask the Board

Looking for your local chamber?

Interested in partnering with us?

Start » business ideas, 10 travel and hospitality business ideas.

Do you have a love of travel or a knack for being a hospitable host? Pursuing one of these travel and hospitality business ideas may be the right move for you.

For those with a love of exploration and meeting new people, the travel and hospitality industry offers a promising avenue for success. With the market expanding to nearly $4.7 billion in 2023, these 10 ideas can provide great opportunities for entrepreneurs of various interests and levels of expertise.

Bed-and-breakfast owner

Instead of staying at typical hotel chains, many travelers are opting for road trips to smaller, more quaint destinations, seeking accommodations with a certain charm, character, and personal approach to hospitality. With a market size of $35.5 billion as of 2024, the bed-and-breakfast industry checks all these boxes — and its only expected to grow, reaching nearly $44.7 billion by 2029.

The bed-and-breakfast industry is perfect for those looking to enter the tourism landscape without leaving home. However, there's more to running a B&B than one's desire to host and mingle. You'll need to find a way to differentiate yourself from competitors in your market, such as offering sustainable, farm-to-table or plant-based menus, or interactive cooking classes, to attract guests.

B&B ownership comes with a significant upfront investment. You will need a residence with enough space to create private accommodations for guests, ideally each with their own bathrooms. The more rooms you have to offer, the greater the income potential. However, the residence must be zoned properly to operate legally.

Expect startup expenses for things like permits and business licenses. Other expenses will include building out guest rooms, buying furnishings and essentials, and accounting for kitchen upgrades and food needs. Operational costs will increase as your business grows to cover expenses like employee paychecks, property maintenance, and food and supplies.

Vacation rental owner

Perhaps you don't have the indoor square footage and blueprints to create bed-and-breakfast accommodations, but you possess the gift of great hospitality, live in a desirable destination, and have an enviable backyard or are near a special natural setting. You could have the makings of a short-term vacation rental business.

If you have accommodations you'd like to rent short term, platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo can be great resources to promote your home to a large audience. These platforms have standards your property must follow, and you'll likely need to make some upfront investments for things such as furnishings, amenities, and property maintenance. You'll also need to ensure you have someone to manage your property, whether that is yourself or an outsourced employee.

Before listing your property, be sure your local and state regulations permit you to do so — otherwise, you could waste time and money on a property you can’t rent.

Another option is to offer glamping accommodations. Glamping is elevated camping featuring upgraded accommodations that range from luxurious tents to more unique structures and an emphasis on comfort and amenities like access to bathrooms, fire pits, cookware to facilitate meal prep … and maybe even an outdoor pizza oven. This alternative accommodation style is becoming increasingly popular among couples, groups of friends, and families, with forecasts predicting 8.7% growth in the glamping market by 2030.

Before you jump into the short-term rental industry, secure all necessary permits for your location. Once you're ready for visitors, post swoonworthy photos on social media and all the details on booking sites like Airbnb, Glamping Hub, or Vrbo.

[Read more: Hospitality Execs from Airbnb and Google to Marriott Reveal Key Growth Strategies ]

Private tour guide

If you live in or near a sought-after town or city and love to share everything there is to know (including its best-kept secrets) with others, offering your knowledge and passion as a private tour guide could be rewarding and profitable. You can set your own schedule, create an experience that is unlike any other in your area, and customize tours based on traveler preferences and interests.

Boost your credibility by getting certified as a tour guide or travel professional. There are several ways to do this, such as obtaining a state-specific tour guide license, becoming a travel and tourism professional (TTP) through the International Air Transport Association, or earning a certified travel associate (CTA) certification through the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.

Building relationships with cool local businesses can be a great way to give tourists an insider's perspective and support the community. Get your feet wet with the built-in audience and fulfillment support of platforms like ToursByLocals, which connects travelers with private local guides for a percentage of each booking. Build your business by posting tour details on local Facebook groups as well as groups targeted to visitors to your area.

Travel blogger

Travel bloggers have become a trusted source for inspiration, advice, and recommendations for those dreaming about or planning trips. These bloggers document their research and experiences, often in great detail, through captivating writing and images that command the attention of travelers — and the advertisers and content providers who want to reach them. Having a niche (like sustainable travel, solo travel, or last-minute getaways), a unique voice, and great insider tips on local hot spots or ways to save time and money are key.

Building a profitable business out of your passion entails a lot of relationship-building and marketing to integrate affiliate links, content sponsorship, and advertising, plus becoming part of the select few who are offered paid travel to write about a locale or hotel. You can also generate income by charging a fee for travel photographers to curate your site with their images, crediting them, and linking back to their online galleries.

As a starting point, it's a good idea to spend time on leading travel blogs to gain insight and learn the best practices. Analyze these websites to determine which topics are the most engaging to readers and where you can offer superior content. Focus on improving your blog's search engine optimization , incorporating engaging visual elements, and posting content regularly that is easy to read and provides value to your audience.

[Read more: 7 Steps to Setting Up a Location-Independent Business ]

For those with a love of exploration and meeting new people, the travel and hospitality industry offers a promising avenue for success.

Tourism and hospitality translator

If you're fluent in multiple languages and speak and write with creativity, proficiency, and ease, there are tour operators, hotels, restaurants, and many other travel-related businesses that could use your skills. From websites to brochures to menus, inclusivity is key to welcoming travelers who want to understand the food, art, attractions, and culture of their chosen destination without language being a barrier.

As a translator, you can help businesses of all sizes create dynamic digital and traditional communications that assist their foreign customers and create lasting, positive experiences. You can also offer in-person services as a translator for hotel guests in need of an interpreter for tours, business meetings, or social engagements.

Although a language degree isn't mandatory to work as a translator — provided you can prove your fluency — many employers prefer candidates with such a degree. Otherwise, relevant postgraduate experiences or qualifications may be necessary.

Photographer

Photographers in the travel space are skilled at capturing the best or most interesting attributes of a destination, its people, and its culture. Photography is an exciting profession for those who have mastered the makings of a great shot from angles to lighting and have the equipment, flexibility, and adventurous spirit to deliver wonder and a sense of the world through images.

Travel photography is not limited to one style or category. It is a field with many different specialties. The key is aligning your passion and talent with opportunities in the marketplace, such as photography for marketing materials, web content, or selling your images as prints. For example, if you like practicing photography in tandem with other skills, consider leading photo walks or trips to scenic locations you’ve scouted. Or if you’d prefer to travel alone, connect with businesses/organizations and offer to create promotional content on their behalf in exchange for travel and lodging coverage.

Regardless of the route you take, an attention-worthy digital portfolio, a social media presence, and positive reviews can be key drivers toward success.

Local cooking classes

Do you love to cook and get rave reviews for your culinary skills? Know some recipes that capture the flavors of your hometown, city, or region? Why not consider hosting cooking classes marketed to travelers and visitors looking for something special and authentic to do during their adventure?

Culinary tourism has exploded, valued at $11.5 billion as of 2023 as more people crave travel that exposes them to exciting food and drink experiences. An off-the-beaten-track invitation to participate in preparing local flavors in the comfort of a home kitchen is a very intimate, special, and unique opportunity.

Offer a menu of local favorites while sharing stories and anecdotes that captivate. Make sure to know and fulfill any licensing requirements that exist in your town. While formal training often isn't necessary to host these classes, having strong teaching skills are crucial to providing a valuable experience for your customers.

Vehicle rental

While rental car services are abundant, those with a spare set of wheels can offer a better value to out-of-town travelers in need of a way to get around. Start by test-driving the idea through one of the popular peer-to-peer platforms already up and running, like Turo and Getaround. These apps have the ability to prescreen applicants to weed out those with a record of past major accidents or frequent violations and also protect car owners with an insurance policy of up to $1 million — all important elements to consider and have in place.

Then, consider establishing your own rental business. adding the vehicles of nearby friends and neighbors to your fleet. You'll need to obtain permits, licenses, and liability insurance , which is mandatory for all car rental businesses to hold and offer to customers while renting. If your business allows rentals across state lines, familiarize yourself with the regulations across all locations where you permit customers to travel, as these rules will apply.

[Read more: Courting Customers: Leading Travel Companies Embrace Tech to Hyper-Personalize Experiences ]

Souvenir shop

Travelers rarely return home without bearing gifts for others and something for themselves to remember their travels. In fact, the souvenir and novelty market is expected to reach an estimated value of $114.2 million by 2028 . Sadly, the reality is that touristy gift shops are a dime a dozen, turning out factory-made T-shirts and trinkets and lacking the authenticity that many travelers seek. If you live in an area rich in history and culture and have sales experience, explore the possibility of opening a gift shop featuring and supporting local artisans.

Begin by finding a niche that is not being catered to in your market. Then, you can apply for the proper licenses and permits, including resale permits depending on your location. Expect additional upfront costs for things like rent and building out your storefront and the cost of the goods.

Sourcing items can be a challenge; however, Etsy is a great platform for identifying creators who live in your area and may have crafts and wares with a wow factor. Local restaurants with their own lines of bottled or packaged foods are another good area to explore.

Travel concierge service

If you are well traveled, highly resourceful, well connected, and hyperfocused on life's little details, you can put your knowledge and skills to good use as a personal or corporate travel concierge. A travel concierge attends to every aspect of their clients' travels, from arranging transportation and dining reservations to accessing premium event tickets and booking tours, attractions, and unique experiences.

A background in tourism or hospitality can be a plus for those looking to enter this industry, as is niche expertise in a particular city or region. For instance, establishing yourself as an expert in all things Paris or focusing on tours for wine enthusiasts can help make you more marketable and focus your marketing efforts accordingly.

Whatever your business's focus, you'll need a license and permits, including industry-specific ones that vary by location. Startup costs will likely include employee salaries, office rentals, technology, and marketing expenses.

The key is to make travel smooth, safe, memorable, and authentic for your clients and elicit positive reviews through word-of-mouth and on well-trafficked travel sites and social platforms. Creating valuable online content can help improve your visibility by providing your audience with useful information and establishing your business as a trusted resource.

This article was originally written by Andrea Forstadt.

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here .

Subscribe to our newsletter, Midnight Oil

Expert business advice, news, and trends, delivered weekly

By signing up you agree to the CO— Privacy Policy. You can opt out anytime.

For more business ideas

How to write a great business plan, looking to test your business idea here are 7 steps to take, 9 health and wellness business ideas for entrepreneurs.

By continuing on our website, you agree to our use of cookies for statistical and personalisation purposes. Know More

Welcome to CO—

Designed for business owners, CO— is a site that connects like minds and delivers actionable insights for next-level growth.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce 1615 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20062

Social links

Looking for local chamber, stay in touch.

20 Best Travel Business ideas You Can Start

Travel is a great way to get away from it all and relax. So many countries around the world benefit from regular tourism, in terms of their economy, keeping history alive, and sharing traditions with newcomers. There are many unique ways to explore the world, that there is a huge market for travel business.

There are plenty of ways to start a travel business. For example, you can open a bed and breakfast or rent out a room in your home. Or you can become a tour guide or cruise line captain. There are also opportunities to earn extra income through affiliate marketing.

Because the travel industry encompasses a lot of different areas, there are so many ways that you can set up a business which fits in with your skill set and experience. Travel businesses include hotels, tours, cruises, airlines, car rentals, and complete vacation packages.

The great thing about setting up your own business is that you can tap into your own background knowledge and stick to areas of interest for you. This could be entertainment, accommodation, or even social media representation.

If you’re thinking about starting a travel business, here are 20 travel business ideas to inspire you as well as show you how many business opportunities there really are. If you want to start a travel business, you’ll need to consider several things before launching your venture. That is why this guide aims to encompass all the small details as well as bigger picture opportunities for your travel business.

The Travel Industry

Firstly, it is worth noting that the travel industry is arguably the largest industry in the world. This is because there are new trends or changes in tourist behavior which shake things up, and keep businesses on their toes. There are so many types of vacations, that it’s no wonder why the travel industry are kept on their toes every year. Tourists want something new and exciting, which is why this industry continues to blossom.

The Six Segments of the Travel Industry

Because there is so much variation within the industry, there are six main segments which business have been known to base their concept off. It could be worth using these for inspiration to see how you can take your existing experience and apply it to a travel business.

The travel industry can be divided into tourist boards, travel services, accommodation, conferences and events, attractions and tourism services. Depending on the type of lifestyle you lead and how much travel you want to do yourself, it could be worth taking a closer look into the types of travel businesses within these segments, that you could set up.

Some of the most popular areas that travel businesses function in are providing a particular service to tourists and travelers like hotels or entertainment. On the other hand, you could set up a global enterprise, which allows you to spend more time traveling.

These businesses typically take a little more work to set up and begin making profits, but it can be highly rewarding to work towards this lifestyle. Not only that, but it will be easier to reach a higher number of people who are interested in what your business has to offer.

20 Best Travel Business ideas

1. Travel Blogger

One of the most popular businesses involved becoming a travel blogger. Because this is a slightly less traditional path to take, the steps are a little less clear-cut when it comes to generating a profit and setting up a business as a travel blogger.

However, it is recommended that you begin by exploring your local area and places that you have always wanted to travel to, and recording your experience online. Most people enjoy writing their own blogs about how they found a certain destination or experience, and it can be a great way to share your thoughts with like-minded people.

Most people set up travel blogs online where they can use it like a journal when they are visiting somewhere new, whereas others will make small notes and write up their experience once they return home. It could be a great way to spend more time traveling if that is a goal of yours.

2. Occasion/Travel Photographer

Wedding photographers earn a great deal of money for a single day, but it is hard work. If you have experience capturing weddings or taking portraits for someone, you could set up a business for travel photography or international weddings.

This could go a long way for a travel business, especially if you are offering occasion package deals such as a reduced price for multiple days consecutively. One of the most important things that is definitely worth investing in is high quality cameras and the right equipment.

Make sure you have some basic skills and experience before setting up this type of business, because there is a reason why wedding photography is such an expensive industry. You could use travel photographs that you have taken to accompany your blog posts, submit them online, or build your own social media presence. This can help you build a professional profile for yourself as a respected travel photography business.

3. Translator

For those who are more experienced with a particular language or multiple different languages, it could be worth setting up a business as a translator. Depending on your level of expertise and the versatility of the languages that you are able to translate, you can make a business that works for you.

You could advertise yourself on an international scale, or focus on a particular area where you think your skills would be best used. Translators are always in high demand, and it is worth setting up a business for yourself if this is something that you are passionate about.

Of course, the main drawback is that you will need to be able to speak at least two languages sufficiently in order to earn an income as a translator. This can be a little challenging if you are less familiar with new languages, so it isn’t always the best option for everyone.

4. Independent Travel Agency

It may seem a little unusual considering the downfall of many large travel companies, but there will always be a market for travel agencies. For this reason, it could be exciting to start your own enterprise and begin offering clients and tourists a series of vacation packages.

It could be worth comparing some best rated deals and other companies from the area to figure out estimated prices and different types of accommodations, as well as flights. Consider what kind of target audience you want to reach, and design package deals that you think are the most suitable.

For example, if you want to offer child-friendly vacations to families, or more affordable options with a little more flexibility. Other options include creating more local eco-friendly travel options. This is a great travel business idea for those who are more experienced with organizing large events and co-ordinating different services at the same time.

You could set up a small office space or storefront where people can stop by and ask for advice. Alternatively, you could benefit from the online world and work remotely from wherever you are in the world.

5. Travel Vlogger

While most people document their traveling experiences using written blogs, video-based media is becoming more popular. Some people prefer to film themselves using small cameras when they are traveling. This can create a more immersive experience for followers and their audience. The concept of video-based blogs is becoming more popular, and it can allow people to make a living in this way if it is taken seriously.

Becoming a travel vlogger typically goes hand-in-hand with social media. This is because it is usually the best way to reach your target audience, and the type of individuals that will watch your videos. It is a great way to build your online presence and boost your business as a travel vlogger.

6. Vacation Planner

Another travel business idea that could work with your skill set is to become a vacation planner. This is ideal for someone who wants to share their knowledge about a particular area and encourage people to explore unique destinations.

This can be a little challenging to start up if you have less experience traveling to certain areas, but it is nothing that the internet can’t help with. Consider setting up your own business as a vacation planner if you are a highly organized individual who likes to fill someone’s schedule.

Remember that there are many things that need to be considered when planning somebody else’s vacation. This includes whether they want to be more active or spend more time relaxing, and what type of food or hobbies they enjoy the most.

It is worth making sure that you have a great system in place for organizing certain activities, events, and scheduling appointments. This is highly needed when it comes to working as a vacation planner, as somebody else’s enjoyment is your responsibility.

7. Bike Tour Services

If you have more experience with bikes and renting or riding bikes on different terrains, then you could set up a bike tour service in a particular area where tourists spend more time. It could be beneficial to rent a storefront or a stand for people to visit and see what type of tours you are providing.

Take a closer look at the local attractions and begin creating bike routes which are suitable for beginners. You could then create slightly longer or shorter routes, with more challenging options. It could also be useful to set up a rental service for your bikes, if people want to explore an area at their own pace.

Because of this, it is useful that you have at least five bicycles which are good for beginners on hand at any time. They should be stable and comfortable, in order to encourage people to get the most out of their experience. You will also need to think about the price range that is realistic for bike tour services, and consider offering group package deals for a particular day or size of group.

It is also worth finding a reliable weather prediction app so that you can cancel or avoid booking certain days when heavy rainfall is expected. In addition, you should try to provide child seats which can be attached to the back of a bike when needed. Alternatively, customers can be shown to a daycare center or local childcare service if necessary.

8. Travel Consultant

This is slightly different to a vacation planner and a travel agent, as travel consultants are usually in charge of more complex issues. They need to figure out solutions to unique situations and make sure that everything goes according to plan.

You could become a travel consultant if you want to make sure that people have the best experience possible when they are travelling or on vacation. Complex issues that are normally handled by a travel consultant include ironing out logistical concerns with business trips, or new parents who are traveling to a foreign country for adoption purposes.

Because the role of a travel consultant is naturally varied and relatively complex, you will be more immersed in the culture and local environment than other businesses, which would require you to cater for tourists a little more. Working as a travel consultant could be an ideal way to see the world and travel to more unique places.

Because the work is largely international, you could set up your own business specializing in complex situations and more challenging situations to put yourself and your services as a travel consultant on the map for potential clients.

9. Open Your Own Bed And Breakfast

This is a growing market, and there are more people who are turning their homes, spare buildings on their property, or other locations into bed and breakfasts. It can provide a home away from home for tourists, and does not need a great deal of work on your part.

There are many services which can help you get set up and on the market for visitors, and it is worth considering this as a travel business idea. Even if you are less familiar with this concept, there are plenty of help guides with information about opening your own bed and breakfast.

You can use this as a way to generate more income on a regular basis, or to save up for your next vacation. If travel is your passion, and you want to spend more time exploring new places, you could rent out your home while you are away.

Make sure that your pets, plants, and other necessities are accounted for, and that your personal possessions are safely locked away. If you are thinking about opening your own bed and breakfast, it is important that you are offering regular rates for rooms.

Make sure that guests will have adequate access to bathrooms, and that the breakfast services are also of a high standard. Bed and breakfasts are a lot more personal than hotels, so guests often want this type of service and interaction.

10. Create A Travel App

If your area of expertise lies with developing apps, coding, and programming software, then you could set up a travel business by creating an app. You can create an app to connect travelers with others in the area, or provide useful suggestions for activities and popular places of interest.

Other travel app ideas include translation software, suggestions for common phrases in the native language of a country you are visiting, or showing places to eat or stay overnight that are not fully booked.

The great thing about travel apps is that you do not have to be in a particular country or location to do this. This means that you can create your own travel app from the comfort of your own home, as long as you have a stable internet connection and access to the necessary databases.

You could also connect with other companies when you are setting up your travel app, like websites that find the best deal for hotels, or airline companies. This allows you to generate more popularity and increase the general market for your business.

11. Rent Out Your Property For Vacations

If you have empty rooms in your home, or even entire buildings that aren’t used as frequently, then you could rent out your property for vacations. If you schedule it right, you could host somebody while you are out of town. This can get you a little more money while making sure that your home is occupied at all times.

Not only can this deter unwanted guests, but it allows you to share the joys and peace that your home provides with others. Like the bed and breakfast business, it is important that you lock all of your valuable and personal belongings away somewhere safe, or remove them beforehand.

Of course, you will need to consider pets and plants, which should be moved elsewhere if possible before you leave for your vacation. However, this can be a great way to earn extra cash when you are on vacation.

12. Language Speaker

Being able to speak a country’s language well is a highly valuable skill. Many people make the most out of this by creating their own business offering lessons to children, translation services, and representing someone who does not speak the language.

This is a great way of traveling more while earning a living, because you can act as a guide for people and negotiate certain contracts with local vendors if you are able to generate tourism. Set your travel business around your particular language skills, and consider learning more about the particular uses as well as local colloquialisms which are used in certain areas.

Improving your knowledge of the language and subtle differences that exist between certain regions could also help you to teach tourists about the cultures. This can be a useful way to prevent people from disrespecting certain traditions and avoiding any potential preconceived notions.

13. Glamping Service

This is something that is usually done on a plot of land that you own or rent, and it is much easier to do this locally to you. You can attract tourists to your state by setting up a glamping business. Glamping is known as “glamorous camping”, because it provides a little more luxury than what is typically offered by regular camping.

The accommodation can be as simplistic as a weatherproof hut, a large tent, or even a tree-house. Full beds are normally provided, and guests are typically left to their own devices once they are settled. Glamping sites are normally seen as more high-end camping grounds, with more facilities than you would expect.

14. Pet Sitting Business

Another way that you could start a travel business is to promote pet sitting services. You could offer to take care of people’s pets while they are traveling, or set up a kennel business. This can be a safe place for dogs, cats, and other beloved household pets to stay and play with other animals while their owners are traveling.

While this does not directly involve traveling, you could always use a pet sitting business to save up for trips and build a reputation as a respected business for potential investors in the future.

15. Create An Adventure Club

This is a great option for more adventurous individuals who want to share their enthusiasm and stay active. Because it is a little more focused, it is important to do some market research ahead of time to see if there would be a demand for it. You could choose to focus on climbing walls, long hikes, kayaking, or other high energy sports.

Most adventure clubs are suitable for kids and adults, and it is worth being flexible to suit a range of potential customers. This could make your business a great tourist destination, or allow you to travel around and offer this experience internationally.

If you know someone or a group of people who consider themselves more physically active and enthusiastic about outdoor adventure, you could hire them to work for your business. This allows you to spend more time promoting your brand and expanding your team where necessary.

16. House Sitting Services

You can help people have more peace of mind by taking care of their pets, homes, and plants. Keep things moving while they are traveling and make sure that everything is being taken care of in their homes. This is an ideal solution for people who live in areas of high crime rates, or who are planning a long trip away.

You could keep on top of the laundry, vacuum, offer pet walking, or just keep someone’s home occupied while they are away. Setting up a business as a house sitter is surprisingly easy. The first step is to build your reputation and gain a customer base in the area that you live.

Once you have a reputation, it is worth taking a closer look at the different ways of advertising your business. Think about the type of people you are trying to attract, and how they will be able to reach you when needed. This can be done using social media, email, or over the phone.

It is important that you have a reliable method of scheduling your time before booking people in for house sitting services. This can prevent any possible overlap that can occur when you are setting up a business that has a lot of moving parts at once.

17. Boutique Hotel

Some people are willing to pay extra for a luxurious experience, and it is worth using this to your advantage. Interestingly, boutique hotels are actually considered some of the most profitable in the tourism industry. This is because there is a great deal of work which is needed to ensure that guests receive the best possible experience.

From chefs using only the highest quality ingredients, to sleeping on the most luxurious material, boutique hotels could be great investment opportunities for travel businesses if you have the initial funds necessary.

18. Tour Guide Services

For those who have more knowledge about a particular area, region, or country, you could start a business as a tour guide. Showing people around places and teaching them about certain traditions or ceremonies that took place there is a highly rewarding experience.

Not only that, but it allows people to appreciate the culture of a country without disrespecting anything unknowingly. You do not need to speak the language in order to be a tour guide, but it helps if you learn some basic phrases ahead of time.

Additionally, you could focus your tours on less well-known areas and attractions that are often overlooked by tourists. Take the time to think about how you can offer a unique experience, and learn about the less popular history of a place. Off-the-beaten-path tours are interesting because they tell stories of populations that are long forgotten, and bring these traditions to life.

19. Traveling Event Organizer

Weddings, parties, work events, and other ceremonies are enjoyed around the world. You could set up a business as a traveling event organizer if you are confident managing multiple teams of workers at the same time.

It is a juggling act to keep everything running smoothly and organized, which is why there is such a high demand for traveling event organizers globally. Working as a traveling event organizer is just as easy to do within the local area as it is internationally, which is why you could easily earn a living while traveling.

Think about what type of experience you want to provide clients with, and the type of potential target audience you are targeting. This could be larger scale events with hundreds of guests or more intimate gatherings, organizing business retreats, or weddings specifically.

20. Ecotourism

So many people are becoming more concerned about their carbon footprint, and the impact their actions have on the environment. Because of this, there are considerably more travel businesses that focus on ecotourism coming into the light.

These services show how we can give back to the natural world, and can even teach us ways of protecting the environment. Because the emphasis is on protecting the natural environment, most ecotourism businesses will show you how to explore your local area with a fresh perspective.

Alternative methods of transportation which are kinder to the planet are also encouraged for those who want to travel a little further. These include trains, public transport, and vehicle sharing services. Teaching people about local wildlife and the importance of giving back to the natural world is incredibly rewarding.

Many ecotourism business owners enjoy showing people how our actions have consequences for the natural environment. It is a great way to encourage people to create more sustainable habits and make more responsible choices in the future.

Like we’ve mentioned before, there are so many areas that you can choose to specialize in when it comes to creating your own travel business. This is because the travel industry is an umbrella term which refers to tourist boards, accommodation, transportation, local attractions, and many more aspects.

Because there is such a wide variety of routes you can decide to go down, it is worth finding a specific market that allows you to use your background knowledge and existing skills. For example, if you are fluent in a particular language, then you could offer your services as a translator or local tourist guide.

People who are more physically active and enthusiastic about spending time outdoors could create a business based on an adventure club, which would be ideal for children and adults. Alternatively, you could set up a business through the form of a travel app, which can make the entire experience much more seamless.

The great thing about the travel industry, encompassing so many areas of interest and skill, is that there are so many opportunities to create your own business that helps people who are frequent travelers. Make sure you are finding something that you are passionate about before finding a way to turn it into a service or product that other businesses or tourists can pay for when they are traveling.

50 Best Travel and Tourism Business ideas

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

The  travels and tourism industry is a major source of income for most States in the United States of America and of course most countries of the world. The travels and tourism industry provide jobs directly or indirectly to countless numbers of entrepreneurs all over the globe.

The opportunities that is available in the industry cuts across service deliveries and product sales, amongst others.The industry is open to both big time investors who have the financial capacity to invest in the aviation industry and also aspiring entrepreneurs who just want to make a living but don’t have start – capital.

Suggested for You

• 50 Best Ways to Make Money Fast While Traveling the World
• 50 Business ideas for Tourist Towns You Can Start Today
• How to Start an Immigration Consulting Business
• How to Start a Private Tour Guide Business
• How to Start a Self Catering Accommodation Business

Here are 50 thriving and profitable business ideas in the travel and tourism industry that an entrepreneur or investor who is looking towards starting a business can choose from;

Best Travel and Tourism Business ideas

Tourist guide.

One of the travel and tourism related businesses that an entrepreneur can successfully start with little or no money is to become a tourist guide. All that is required to successfully launch this type of business is to ensure that you can speak at least one or more foreign languages.

This could be English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese or German. Furthermore, you must also know the terrain pretty well.

Once you are certain that you can effectively translate or interpret, then all that is expected of you to do is to position yourself in places where you can have access to tourists. This could be in a  hotel lobby (you would have to negotiate with the hotel manager ) or via referrals from a travels and tours company.

Restaurant and Bar

Restaurant and bar is yet another business that is part of the business value chain of the travels and tourism industry. Although, most tourists may prefer to eat the food they are familiar with, but it wouldn’t be out of place if you could also include some local delicacy as part of the food you sell in your restaurant.

The truth is that some tourists make it mandatory to try out the local delicacies of the community they are visiting. So, ensure that you include local delicacies as part of the food you sell in your restaurant if your restaurant is located in a tourist town.

Hotel and Lodge (Motel, Inn et al)

Of course, it is a must for visitors to look for places to lodge when they visit any town. Unless they have a host who is ready to accommodate them for the duration they stay for. So, hotel and lodge is a very vital  business that is needed in tourist towns .

As a matter of fact, before tourists visit a tourist town, part of their findings will be how to locate the nearest hotel and lodge in the town. The truth is that if a tourist town lacks standard hotels and lodges, then they are likely to attract fewer visitors (tourists).

So, as an investor, if you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism related business, then one of your options is to invest in hotels and lodge. Or better still,you can  start a bed and breakfast business .

Taxi and Bus Shuttle Business

Taxi and bus shuttle business is another fantastic travels and tourism related business idea that thrives pretty well in a tourist town. Of course, tourists would want to move together from one tourist site to another hence the need for a bus shuttle services.

The bus shuttle could also help transport them (tourists) on arrival from the airport to their hotels and also from their hotels to the airports on their departure. Taxi is also ideal for couples, an individual or a group of 3 or 4 persons.

Vehicle Rental Business

Rental business  is yet another travels and tourism related business that is viable and profitable in a tourist town. There are several stuffs that tourists could rent when they visit tourist sites. It could be a car, scooter, speed boat, canoe or even horse, donkey or camel.

The bottom line is to conduct your market survey to know what tourists may likely need in the tourist town that they aren’t able to bring along when they are visiting. Once you have an idea of the stuff that is needed by tourists, then all you need to do is to purchase enough quantities of the stuffs and then position your business in a place that will be visible to tourists.

Photography Business

Photography business is an added business venture in the value chain of travels and tourism industry. Although, most tourists would always travel with their cameras to capture beautiful sites and moments albeit in an armature manner, but if they have the option to  make use of a professional photographer , they would gladly embrace it.

So, one of the business ideas that is suitable for a tourist town is the photography business. If you are a  professional photographer , you can consider opening your own photography business. That is if you live in a tourist town or you can partner with a travels and tours company to become one of their official photographer.

Souvenir Shop

Souvenir shop is yet another travels and tours business idea that is highly profitable in any tourist town. Loads of visitors would prefer to buy local crafts, unique gifts or native wears, et al from a tourist town as a mark of remembrance.

Subsequently, if you are looking for a travels and tourism related business to setup in a tourist town, then you can consider opening a souvenir shop that will be stocked with local crafts and native wears et al. Just ensure that your souvenir shop is well located and looks attractive.

Night club is another business idea in the business value chain of the travels and tourism industry that an investor or entrepreneur who is looking towards starting business in the industry should consider starting. This type of business can do pretty well in a tourist town.

This type of business is profitable, but it may not thrive in all tourist towns, especially smaller towns with quiet lifestyle. So before you venture into nightclub business, ensure that you have conducted a thorough feasibility studies and market survey to be sure that the business will thrive.

Luggage Delivery Services

Another travels and tourism related business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting is luggage delivery services.

Luggage delivery business is all about helping travelers to avoid the hassles of baggage merry-go-round waiting and security checks. As a matter of fact luggage delivery services go the extra mile to provide luggage for their customers. All the customer need to do is just to pack their traveling clothes and other belongings that they are traveling with inside the luggage.

What the luggage Delivery Company does is to take and store the luggage on their behalf. They also help in encoding the contents online so that the owner can update its contents against another trip.

Coffee Café

Coffee café is yet an extra business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards making money from the business value chain of travels and tourism industry should consider starting. As a matter of fact, there is hardly any airport where you are not going to find a coffee café. The truth is that,  coffee café businesses  do pretty well in a tourist town.

So, if you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism related business, then one of your options is to  open a coffee shop  in and around the airport if you have the opportunity to. Location is key for this type of business except you want to operate a mobile /cart coffee shop business.

Start a Welcoming Service

Another easy to establish travels and tourism related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting.

Welcoming services is all about welcoming tourists to a tourist town and in turn giving them useful information and of course package of coupons, samples from local businesses, and other opportunities that are available in the town. This type of business is one of the travels and tours business that an entrepreneur can successfully start with little or no start – up capital.

So, if you are looking for a business to start, then you should consider starting a welcoming services business; it is a cool way of earning money.

Start Language Translation Services

Language translation services is yet another thriving and profitable business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the travels and tourism industry.

All that is required to successfully launch this type of business is to ensure that you can speak at least one or more foreign languages; it could be English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese or German and of course other local languages.

So, if you are looking towards  earning income from the business value chain  of the travels and tourism industry, then you should consider starting a language translation services. One good thing about this type of business is that you can successfully start it with little or no start – up capital.

Start a Limousine Service

Another travels and tourism related business idea that an entrepreneur who is tinkering with starting a business in the industry should consider starting is a limousine services. This type of business is all about making limousine available to transport tourists from one location to another.

In most cases, celebrities are the major clients for this type of business. So if you are looking towards starting a business in the travels and tourism industry, then one of your options is to start a limousine services business . You can as well add other exotic cars to your flit of cars for this business.

Start a Self – Service Laundromat Business

Self – service Laundromat business is yet another means of earning income from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting.

As the name implies, a self-service laundry or coin wash / laundry or Laundromat is a laundry facility where people come in to personally wash and dry their clothes; technically, customers provide their own labor and still pay the for  making use of the laundry equipment  available.

Although the laundry industry can be said to be a competitive industry, but it does not in any way stop entrepreneurs who are creative to still make headway in the industry. It is indeed a profitable business especially when the business is located an area that tourists visits. No doubt a busy city with growing population is highly suitable for Laundromat.

Car Rental Services

A  car rental service  is another cool travels and tourism related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards earning income from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry can successfully launch. A car rental service is all about making cars available for rent to those who may need cars for one purpose or the other.

So, if you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism related business, one of your options is to go into car rental services.

If you live in busy cities like Tokyo, Las Vegas, Milan, and Lagos et al then you should consider starting a car rental services business; this type of business is highly thriving and profitable in busy cities and places with huge influx of tourists.

Jet Ski Rental Services

Another travels and tourism related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider is Jet Ski rental services. The truth is that starting a rental business is one of the easiest ways to start out as an entrepreneur -especially if you can’t afford to go through the challenges involve in the productions of goods.

So, if you live around any beach where people either ski for fun or for sports, then you should consider starting your own Jet Ski rental business.

You can indeed make cool cash from this line of business with little effort if you are well positioned.  Jet Ski rental business  can only be restricted to a certain geographical area, which is why before starting this type of business, you must ensure that you are in a place where this type of business thrives basically because there is a beach and people visit the beach.

Start a Travels and Tourism Related TV Program

Another profitable and thriving business idea in the travels and tourism industry that an entrepreneur who intends starting a business in the industry should consider starting is to start a travels and tourism related TV show. Everyone who intends travelling to a location as a tourist need all the information they can lay their hands own as regards the destination they are heading to.

One thing is certain, if your TV program is well organized and well – packaged to address key issues as it relates to the travels and tourism industry, then you will surely attract large viewership and of course mouthwatering sponsorship deals from major players in the value chain of the travels and tours industry in your country.

It is a cool way of making money, but you must always be your toe when it comes to developing interesting, trendy and useful contents for the TV program.

Start a Security Related Radio Talk Show

Of course it is more expensive to buy slots on TV than it is for radio. As such, if you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism related talk show and you don’t have the finance to purchase airtime on TV, then going on radio is your best options.

The truth is that, if your radio talk show is well organized and well – packaged to address key issues in the travels and tourism industry and useful tips about key tourists destinations, then you will sure attract large listenership and of course mouthwatering sponsorship deals from major players in the travels and tourism industry in your country.

It is a cool way of making money, but you must always be your toe when it comes to developing interesting and useful contents as it relates to travel and tourism for the radio talk show.

Start Blogging on Travels and Tourism Related Topics

Another means of earning income from the business value chain of the travels and tourism industry that an entrepreneur can successfully launch with little or no start – up capital is to start blogging on travels and tourism related topics.

It is interesting to note that there are loads of people out there who are making millions annually from blogging. If you are a travels and tourism professional or someone who has sound knowledge in the travels and tourism industry, one of the businesses that you can consider starting is to start blogging on travels and tourism related subjects.

The truth is that if your blog has useful and helpful contents, you will attract loads of traffic and if you have loads of traffic on your blog, you can easily secure good advertising deals from stakeholders and other businesses in your blog. Just ensure that you update your blog regularly with trendy and useful travels and tourism tips and you will continue to attract traffic.

Go into the Publication of Travels and Tourism Magazine (Travel Guide)

There are several businesses that an entrepreneur can launching the value chain of travels and tourism industry and one of them is to start publishing travels and tours magazines. Information is key in any industry and all you need to do to be able to gain ground with this type of business is to ensure that you have relevant contents in your magazine per time.

Part of the information that you should make available in your travels and tours magazine are, the prices of tickets for various airline companies, list of hotels, tourist locations, the various business opportunities in the industry, the latest trends, news and information as it relates to the industry, and advisory services to investors who are looking towards investing in the travels and tourism.

Start a Private Escort Firm

Another money spinning business that an entrepreneur who is interested in earning revenue from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry should consider starting is a private escort firm.

Private escort firms provides security for individuals most especially tourists and visitors who wants to move from one locations to another with valuables, and huge amount of cash et al and also for transport companies and haulage companies as well.

So if you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism related business, then one of your options is to start a private escort firm. It is important to state that you would need to apply and obtain license and permits from the appropriate authority in your country.

Supply Bodyguards to Tourists

Another profitable and of course thriving business that an entrepreneur who is interested in earning money from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry should consider starting is to start supplying bodyguards to tourists especially celebrities who are visiting tourist locations.

In order to successfully launch this type of business, you should be able to maintain a rich network of bodyguards. Because whenever you are called to supply them, you should be able to quickly summon them within a short period of time.

Start a Travels and Tourism Consulting Business

Travels and tourism consulting business is yet another thriving and profitable business in the travels and tourism industry. If you have robust qualification and experience, one of the travels and tourism related business you can successfully start is a travels and tourism consulting business.

There are several clients you can work for as a travels and tourism consultant. Your clientele base will range from corporate organizations, to government agencies and from individual tourists to businesses in the travels and tourism industry. It is a cool way of earning good income from the industry.

Open a community Museum (Arts and Culture)

If you are interested in arts and culture, one of the travels and tourism related business ideas that you should consider starting is to open a community museum; a place where the art and culture of your community will be preserved.

If you are considering  starting this type of social enterprise , then it will be to your advantage to partner with your local government and perhaps institutions of higher learning in your city or community. Aside from the revenue that you will generate from visitors and tourists, you can also receive grants and funding from donor agencies, individuals, corporate organizations and from the government of your country

Organize Carnivals and Other Related Events in Your Community

Another interesting means of earning money from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry that an entrepreneur should consider starting especially if you are good with organizing events is to start organizing carnivals and other related events in your community especially if your community attract tourists and visitors on a regular basis.

If your events are well packaged, you can successfully get financial support and sponsorship deals from your local government, corporate organizations that operate within your community and from individuals who are interested in the event you intend organizing.

Taxi / Cab Services

Taxi / cab services is yet an added means of earning money from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider starting. With just a car, an entrepreneur can successfully launch his or her tax business.

As a matter of fact with hard work and dedication, a serious minded entrepreneur can grow his taxi business from just one taxi and to fleet of taxis covering an entire city or state. Taxi business is a profitable business in the united states of America and in most countries of the world where tourist visits on a regular basis.

Airport Bus Shuttle Services

An airport bus shuttle service is still an option to consider. As you can start an airport shuttle business and still make loads of profit. Airport shuttle service is all about transporting passengers / tourists and their luggage within the airport, or from their hotels to the airport and vice versa.

Depending on the kind of permit you obtained to operate your airport shuttle, you would need to acquire standard and comfortable automobile for this kind of service.Of course, you need to put people with disabilities into consideration when making plans on the kind of shuttle bus or cars to purchase.

All you need to do to get started with pursuing this line of business is to make enquiries from the airport authority in your areas to know if private companies are allowed to run a shuttle bus service in the airport and the rules and regulation governing shuttle bus operators.

Start an Airline Company

Starting an airline company is yet another thriving and profitable business that an entrepreneur who is interested in starting a big time business in the travels and tourism industry you should consider. This might sound interesting, but the truth remains that this kind of business sure is very capital intensive.

This is as a result of the high maintenance fee that is involved and what have you. If you are a big time investor and you have been a lover of aviation, and want to build a business around the industry, then you can start an airline company. You may look at getting loans from banks, individuals, as well as angel investors, as you look to launch out.

Ticketing and Reservation Services

A Ticketing and reservation service is perhaps one of the most popular money – spinning business in the travels and tourism industry that an entrepreneur who is interested in starting a business in the industry should consider starting.

Once people scale through the difficult hurdle of getting a visa, the next thing they begin to consider or rather putting in their expense budget would be tickets. It is for this reason that the business is a very profitable one. You too may consider cashing in on the industry by starting a ticketing and reservation business.

In starting this business, you will need a great wealth of knowledge. That is why you can begin to look at having ticketing deals and stuff like that.

Helicopter Transportation Services

Another thriving and profitable travels and tourism related business that an investor who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting is helicopter transportation services. There are times when people will need to hire helicopters for official and pleasure use.

This is why there are several helicopter transportation services available. This is one of the reasons why you can look at starting a helicopter transportation services. Do note that starting this type of trade doesn’t come easy as you would need thousands, upon thousands of dollars. Hence, you would need to first sit and run your analysis before launching this type of business.

Start a Travel Agency

Another highly thriving and profitable travels and tourism business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting is a travel agency. Travel agencies render services that cover all aspect of traveling.

They help their clients in securing visas, purchase flight tickets,  book hotels, book taxi cabs  and bus shuttle services and of course make arrangement for site seeing amongst other services.

So, if you are looking towards starting a business in the travels and tours industry, then one of your options is to start a travel agency. It is a cool way of making money from the industry and with little start – up capital a serious minded entrepreneur can successfully launch this type of business.

Travel Directory

If you are looking towards leveraging on the travels and tourism industry to earn money, then one of your options should be to develop travel directory. A directory is a comprehensive listing of several businesses and services within a particular sector.

The truth is that people usually search for any available information they can lay their hands on especially when they are about embarking on a journey hence the need for travel directory. You can make your travel directory available both offline and online so as to give your potential clients the options to choose what best suits them.

Start a Business That Organizes Excursions for School Children

It is the tradition in most schools especially primary and secondary school to take their students on excursion once in a while. Excursion is an avenue where students travel out of their schools to get first hand experiential learning.

So if you are good with organizing trips and you are looking towards making money from the travel and tourism industry, then one of your options is to packaged excursion trips for schools. If you are good at marketing, you will be able to seal business deals with lots of schools in and around your community.

Start a Coaching Center to Prepare Students for Finance Related Certification Exams

It is the practice for students who want to write professional exams to attend coaching center in order to prepare effectively for their exams.

If you are academic incline, then one of the businesses you should consider starting in the travels and tourism industry is to open a coaching center where students attend lectures in preparation for travels and tourism related certification exams such as IATTA certifications and other ticketing related certifications et al.

It is a cool way of making money and you will definitely attract loads of students if the success rate (those who become chattered) is much in your coaching center.

Build and Sale Customized Travels and Tours Related Software Applications

Developing and selling of travels and tours related software applications is yet another cool way of making money from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry.

If you are a software developer, then you should consider developing customized software applications geared towards simplifying business processes in the travels and tourism industry, software applications that will help simplify processes in the industry.

You can as well work with your client to develop tailored software application that suits perfectly into their business. In marketing your product, you would have to go out of your way to convince stakeholders in the industry to patronize you.

Open an Online Hotel Booking Sites

Another means of earning good income from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry is to open an online hotel booking site.

What you need to do is to ensure that you network with hotels in your country and even outside your country to get them listed on your site and most importantly, you should agree with them one the commission or percentage cut you will get when a customer book their hotel through you.

Start a ‘Travel Now Pay Later’ Scheme

There are loads of people who are finding it difficult to save – up for vacation hence they’ve been procrastinating when it comes to going on vacation. If you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism business that can help such people why you earning good returns, then you should consider starting a Travel now Pay Later Scheme.

Travel no pay later scheme is business that helps people make all the necessary travel arrangement and also foot the bills for the journey while they spread the payment for over a period of time as agreed. Of course they payment will attract some form of interest and you should only target those that have the capacity to pay.

Start a Charter Flight Service

Another thriving and profitable business venture that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the travels and tourism industry should consider starting is a chatter flight service business. No doubt there are loads of people out there who can  afford to charter private jets  for as long as they want it.

So, if you are looking towards starting this type of business, then you should target such clients. Although this type of business is highly capital intensive especially if you own the jets, but at the same time it is a profitable business.

There are loads of religious worshipers out there who are willing to give up anything to go on a pilgrimage journey just for the purpose of visiting religious sites. For example, it is the practice for Christian folks to visit Jerusalem and also it is the practice for Muslim folks to visit Mecca to perform religious rites et al.

So if you are looking towards starting a business in the travels and tourism industry, then one of your options in to start a pilgrimage travelling company. Of course you can only concentrate on one religion, so if you are a Christian, your best option is to work with Christians and if you are a Muslim, your best option is to work with Muslims.

Start the Rental of Canoes and Speed Boats

Another thriving and profitable business venture that an entrepreneur who is interested in starting a business in the travels and tourism business should consider starting is to start the rental of canoes and speed boats.

If you live in the Caribbean or a riverine area that attracts tourists, one of the travels and tours related business idea that you should start is to start renting canoes and speed boats to tourists. It is a cool way of earning money but you must ensure that you have lifejackets and other safety measure in place if you intend starting this type of business.

Start a Boat Cruise Business

Boat cruise business is yet another money – spinning travels and tourism related business that an entrepreneur who is interested in starting a business in the industry should consider starting. One of the ways tourists catch fun is via boat cruise and if they have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a boat cruise they will. Although this type of business is capital intensive, but it is highly profitable.

Organize Tours for Musicians

Another thriving and profitable business venture that an entrepreneur who has good organizational skills should consider starting is to start organizing tours for musicians.

All you need to do to get started is to ensure that you have more than a handful of cities where you are certain there are loads of fans that will be willing to pay to listen to a musician under your company; it could be cities in different countries and it could cities within a country. It is a cool way of making money but you must work with others to achieve success in this type of business

Organize Trade Delegation Trips

If you have good organizational skills, one of the travels and tourism related business that you can successfully launch is to start organizing trade delegation trips for business people and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Trade delegation trips involves taking aspiring entrepreneurs and business people from one country to another country for the purpose of understudying different industries and businesses and also to network with local business men and women in the host city / country.

So if you are looking towards starting a travels and tourism related business, then one of your options is to start organizing trade delegation trips. Just ensure that you work with the chambers of commerce and industries in your country; they are your major clients.

Organize Student Exchange Program

Another travels and tourism related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting is organizing student exchange programs. There are loads of students who are more than willing to travel out of their country to participate in international programs.

It is an avenue for them to network and socialize with international students. It is a cool way of making money but you must work hard to ensure that students get value for their monies.

Organize International Retreats for Corporate Executives

No doubt there are corporate organizations who take their executives on international retreats in a regular basis and in most cases that work with organizations that help them arrange such programs. So if you are good with organizing trips, one of the travels and tourism related business that you can successfully start is to start organizing international retreats for corporate executives.

Of course should be able to convince them of what they stand to gain if they patronize your services; your value proposition should be worth the while if you want corporate organizations to pay for your services. It is indeed a cool way of making money.

Organize Travels and Tours Expos / Fairs

There are loads of players in the travels and tourism business value chain who are looking for platforms to showcase and market their goods and services to their target market. One of such platforms they can leverage on is travels and tours fairs / expos; a place where entrepreneurs and organizations in the industry can attend to promote and market their goods and services.

So if you are good at organizing events and if you are interested in starting a business in the travels and tours industry, then one of your options is to start organizing travels and tours fairs / expos.

You can organize this event at a city level, state level, national level and international level. The truth is that, if the fair / expo is well organized, you will sure attract not just startups in the travels and tours industry, but also major players in the industry.

Start the Rental of Horse and Camels

Another easy means of earning money from the value chain in the travels and tourism industry is the rental of horses and camels. If you have visited a beach or you have been to the desert, you will realize that tourists pay to ride these animals. This type of business is easy to start, but you must ensure that your camels and horses are well kept and trained.

Organize International Conferences

If you are looking towards making money from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry, then one of your options is to start organizing international conferences targeted towards a particular industry.

You can decide to start organizing international conferences for international players in the travels and tourism industry. The truth is that, if you conference is well publicized; you will sure attract participants from different countries of the world.

Start a Ferry Business

Another travels and tours related business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the industry should consider starting is a ferry business. If you live in a riverine area or in an island, then you should consider investing in this type of business.

Start a Scooter Rental Business

Lastly, another small scale business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards making money from the business value chain in the travels and tourism industry should consider starting is the rental of scooters.

The travels and tourism industry indeed has a lot to offer. However, before you start, you have got to make it a point of duty to carry out all the necessary research that you would need to become the best in all that you do in no time at all.

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Adventure Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Adventure Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten-path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Adventure Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Adventure Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Aventure Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Adventure Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Adventure Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

8 Trending Destinations to Visit in 2023

Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

The 10 Best Sites to Book a Cruise

Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Germany: 8-Night Christmas Markets Tour w/Daily...

TripCompanion Tours

Poconos: 2-Nt, All-Incl. Stay at Upscale...

ResortsAndLodges.com

Amsterdam to Copenhagen: Luxe, 18-Night Northern...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Trending on SmarterTravel

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

14 best travel and tourism websites and design to inspire

• Kylie Goldstein

Whether you’re new to tourism—curating local experiences or renting out your home—or a travel veteran who has weathered the storm of tourism woes, there’s no better time to create a website for your tourism and travel types of businesses - its the perfect service business idea . We’ve compiled a list of some of the best travel websites, plus a few travel website design tips to help you create or improve your own.

Read Also: How to start a business

What is a tourism and travel website?

The tourism and travel industry has become more accessible than ever. The internet has made it easier to research, plan and book trips, all with just a few clicks. You can find everything from flights, hotels, and restaurants to car rentals and local experiences online.

A tourism or travel website serves as an information hub for prospective travelers planning a getaway. Today, people travel for a range of experiences—babymoons, staycations, voluntourism or bleisure—you name it. So, provide as much relevant information as possible to help users plan their trips.

When creating a travel website, entice travelers with blogs or video content that offers insider tips and local secrets. You can discuss practical information like local currency, customs and expectations, or review or rating popular destinations. You can also supply average local prices for travel necessities, offer tips for transportation or even add a Google Map of your favorite spots.

Tip: You can understand how to plan your website , then make your hotel website with Wix, complete with ready-made travel and tourism templates .

Best travel website examples

Let’s explore a range of tourism website examples, all built with Wix:

Inward Travel

Tourism Richmond Hill

Echo Fitness

African Empire Tours

Champlain Tours

Bella Vista

Home Sweet Home

Immanuel Wilderness Lodge

Sea Breeze Panormos

Jon's Carmel Marketing Cooking Class and Food Tour

The Berlin Storyteller

All Inclusive Vacations

Twende Zetu Kilimanjaro

01. Inward Travel

Creator Noå runs Inward Travel to “take the opportunity of lifelong learning, to improve quality of life and performance by consciousness and exercise.” The company curates unique cold water experiences, sweat-dripping-exercises and leadership trails in destinations like The Netherlands.

Inward Travel’s minimal one-page website highlights the relevant information clearly and concisely. The enticing video strip in the first fold of the website instantly paints a picture of the experiences offered. The simple color palette aligns with the brand messaging and the site effectively uses his logo, including the favicon.

02. Tourism Richmond Hill

Canadian-based Tourism Richmond Hill’s informative website includes thorough details for both locals and visitors alike, paired with eye-catching visuals and clear language. A clear menu leads users to navigation options like ‘restaurants around town,’ ‘where to stay,’ ‘things to do, and ‘useful links’. Additionally, their ‘Shop Local, Support Your Community,’ section expands their potential visitor pool, encouraging residents to treat their hometown like a tourist destination.

03. Echo Fitness

Don’t let the name fool you, Echo offers much more than just a fitness website . The homepage gives a brief description of all of Echo Fitness’s services, including active holidays, fitness retreats, personal training and ski instruction—all based in Zermatt, Switzerland—with clear CTAs to learn more. Each section includes a thorough description, complete with sample itineraries of previous trips or retreats. The travel website also gives a clear breakdown of plans and pricing, with a clear Book Now button for easy requests. Echo Fitness’s social media bar also includes a link to TripAdvisor, using this external platform to establish trust from previous travelers’ reviews.

Learn more: Travel business names

04. African Empire Tours

African Empire Tours immerses travelers in the culture, architecture and natural splendor of Asante, Kongo, Songhair, Zulu and Ethiopia. The tourism website clearly outlines the five tour destinations and gives a clear itinerary example.

African Empire Tours also smartly includes a clear Subscribe form above their contact information to engage with prospective travelers in the research/deciding phase of trip planning. Adding a subscribe form can help you keep visitors up to date on your business offerings.

05. Champlain Tours

Champlain Tours puts their pre-arranged group and customizable private tour options front and center, so prospective visitors can easily find what they want. They also include links to their social media profiles, including their YouTube channel which showcases video content of what visitors can expect when on tour with the company. They also prominently display previous travelers’ customer reviews as social proof to establish trust.

06. Japan Time

Japan Time’s Tom and Stav share their first-hand experiences with a range of thoughtful blogs, guides and tips for other travelers looking to make the most out of their experience. They break down the essentials like travel budget, transportation, food as well as holidays and cultural traditions in the land of the rising sun. The travel site also includes experiential tours like a “Culinary evening in Osaka” or “Ikebana techniques” that visitors can directly book online.

07. Bella Vista

Ciao Bella—arriving at Bella Vista’s vacation website offers an instant escape into the Sicilian countryside. Creative travel website design elements such as parallax scrolling brings the hotel to life; from a close up shot of a mouth-watering cannoli to the gorgeous view their property boasts, visitors will want to book a vacation and sign up for Italian lessons, too. This is one of the best hotel websites we've come across, as the captivating photos take you on a beautiful Italian getaway.

08. Home Sweet Home

Sometimes when vacation planning, you want a home away from home rather than a big to-do. Well, at France’s Home Sweet Home, you can choose from three uniquely styled rooms fit for comfort, relaxation and fun. Take a closer look at the photo gallery for every room and start to feel that vacation vibe seep in. Our favorite part of their travel website ? Their on-site private spa services.

09. Immanuel Wilderness Lodge

For those seeking adventure, consider Immanuel Wilderness Lodge, located in the Namibian Savannah. This family-run lodge has earned a collection of rave reviews and well-deserved TripAdvisor awards. For those who prefer to know exactly what to expect before arriving, their amazing 360° virtual tours show off their accommodations, lobby, restaurant and surrounding property.

10. Sea Breeze Panormos

Is there anything more exotic than a Greek vacation? After browsing their travel website, you’ll know why the four properties comprising Sea Breeze of Mykonos offer a quintessential vacation spot. Look at the romantic views, pristine accommodations and learn about what this magical island offers.

Using a teal Book Now button pops out amid the muted gray background, helping users know exactly what to do upon entering the site.

11. Jon’s Carmel Market Cooking Class and Food Tour

Almost any traveler to Tel Aviv knows that a visit to the Carmel Market is a must. Jon’s Carmel Market Cooking Class and Food Tour’s clear and direct website makes it incredibly easy for travelers to navigate through the famously bustling market. Jon, the owner, includes a short, captivating video that lets visitors know what a typical day in the market looks like. He also provides a detailed itinerary and a strategically placed CTA for Book Now.

Jon also uses a Wix pro gallery to showcase the vibrant colors and flavors of the food market. His contact information is easy to find and includes links to all his social channels, including his TripAdvisor rating.

12. The Berlin Storyteller

Dennis Behnke, a Berlin native offers his tour services and in his own words, “Be it on foot and public transportation, be it on bike or in a van, let me help you create your perfect Berlin private tour.” His thoughtful and well-organized travel website design includes a clear list of his unique tours with detailed descriptions and lengths. Behnke has native experience and insights into the diverse city.

He includes his TripAdvisor rating directly on his homepage alongside a personalized explanation of his experiences, effectively reinforcing his brand name as the Berlin Storyteller. Working as an independent tour guide is a great service business idea. It can be a great side hustle or full-time venture if you have detailed knowledge of a city or specific destination.

13. All Inclusive Vacations

This travel website asks users a simple yet profound question upon entry—where to? For those who connect with this spark of wanderlust, there’s a relevant questionnaire to fill out and to receive a range of all-inclusive vacation packages.

This travel website design also offers visitors drone video content, providing a bird-eye’s view and immersive look into each exotic getaway. In addition, All Inclusive Vacations includes their team’s photos, letting prospective travelers know who they’re talking to while planning their trips. A chatbot provides instant responses and efficiently handles incoming questions as well.

14. Twende Zetu Kilimanjaro

For hikers looking to experience iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, this travel website offers practical information including medical details, experiential knowledge, trip schedules and trail guides. Users can easily navigate the clearly laid-out information, helping them to understand the most relevant information before such an exciting hike.

What to include in a tourism and travel website

Every tourism or travel website will vary depending on the destination and target visitor. However, most travel websites should include the following:

Easy-to-use scheduling software

High-quality photography and images

Relevant information about nearby attractions—including museums, arts, cultural events, restaurants and shopping

Packing advice

Maps and directions

Public transportation information (note if users need to download apps in advance)

Air travel and airport information

Language guidelines and local slang

Clear links to social media channels

Contact information

Reviews or testimonials

An online store to buy branded or local merchandise (use an online store builder  for this)

Ready to create a blog  for your travel website?  Make one today. Or read more about how to start a travel blog .

Tourism and travel website design tips

Whether you have created a hotel website  starting from scratch or you are updating your current travel website, keep these design tips in mind.

Include a logo: A logo can help establish consistency for your brand’s online presence. A good logo should communicate the crux of your destination, tour company or rental and help visitors make a positive association with your business before they even arrive. You can use a free logo maker  to design a logo for your travel website, plus use it for business cards, brochures, branded merchandise and social media channels.

Ensure a cohesive travel website design: Select a representative color palette for your brand and stick to it throughout your travel website’s visual identity. For example, if you run a natural spa getaway, stick to tranquil and calming colors over rugged and earthy tones that better match an extreme sports tour guide. With Wix’s editor's site and theme design , you can customize your website colors, fonts and images and maintain a cohesive look with automatic theme updates across your site’s pages. Also check out some of these general website examples  for inspiration.

Use images: For prospective travelers planning their future getaways, high-quality images can immediately transport them to your destination. We recommend ​​using  JPEG ,  PNG  and GIF files for images to appear their best on your site.

Don’t overload pages: Travel is all about the escape. Make your site’s user experience just as relaxing as traveling should be—don’t overload it with superfluous content or features. Tip:  Build your travel website with Wix website performance  at its core. Sites offer better page load speed plus Wix’s site speed dashboard  to test, analyze and optimize your site’s performance for both desktop and mobile.

Think about site hierarchy within your travel website design : As visitors explore your site, you want them to receive relevant information and experience your offering efficiently. Prioritize your main pages and create menus, headers and subheaders that clearly reflect this hierarchy. Not only will this create a better user experience (and hopefully convert visitors to customers) but it will also make it easier for Google’s search engine robots to scan and index your pages.

Make it mobile friendly: Mobile accounts for approximately half  of web traffic worldwide, meaning potentially half (or more) of visitors will explore your website via their devices. Creating a mobile-friendly travel and tourism website will ensure a better experience, regardless of device. Tip:  The Wix Editor automatically creates a mobile version for every website  it designs.

Lean into templates : Templates are a great way to create a design-friendly travel and tourism website in an efficient way. Here's a selection of our favorite travel and tourism templates from Wix: Travel services templates , Travel agency template , Food and travel website templates , Travel blog template , Travel documentary templates , Hotel and BnB website templates.

Consider SEO:  If you optimize your travel website content to rank on search engines, you can increase your traffic. How? First, target specific keywords. For example, think of your prospective travelers: what questions or phrases might they search for that could lead them to your tourism website? Integrate these keywords into your website content. Tip:  Check out Wix SEO features  or the Wix SEO hub  for more detailed steps that’ll help your travel website perform better on search engines.

Maintain your travel website design: Just as you care for your hotel or tours, you need to apply the same TLC to your website. Fresh and up-to-date content (like prices and current links) can help users get the most out of their experience.

Try out new technologies:  Following the latest travel technology trends , try integrating a chat bot for quick responses and user engagement or use 3D/AR viewer  to give users a virtual tour of your destination.

Tourism and travel website design examples FAQ

What are some famous examples of travel websites.

There are many: Skyscanner, AirBnb, Kayak amongst others.

What are the different types of travel websites to create

Related posts.

How to start a service business in 8 successful steps

60+ best service business ideas

15 best hotel website design examples (+ tips for designing your own)

Was this article helpful?

75+ Unique, Creative & Catchy Travel Business Names Ideas

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 07, 2024

Travel Business Names

25 catchy travel business names:, 25 creative travel business names:, 25 unique travel business names:.

Are you looking for a unique and creative name for your travel business? Look no further! Here you will find a selection of 75+ catchy travel business names to choose from. Whether you are looking for a modern, creative, or traditional name, this list is sure to have something to fit the bill. Get inspired and find the perfect name for your travel business today!

Tips for Choosing a Travel Business Name.

Choosing the perfect name for your travel business is crucial as it reflects the essence, mission, and allure of your brand. It's the first step in connecting with your audience and can significantly impact your business's success. The right name can evoke a sense of adventure, luxury, or comfort, drawing customers to explore what you have to offer. Consider these tips to ensure your travel business name stands out and captures the spirit of your brand effectively.

• Focus on memorability - Pick a name that's easy to remember and pronounce to help your brand stick in customers' minds.
• Consider your niche - Tailor your business name to reflect the specific travel experiences you offer, such as eco-tours, luxury getaways, or adventure travels.
• Keep it unique - Stand out from the competition with a unique name, ensuring it's not too similar to existing travel brands to avoid confusion.
• Opt for simplicity - A simple, straightforward name can be powerful and more easily recognized, making it accessible to a wider audience.
• Test for availability - Check domain name availability to ensure you can create a corresponding website, and look into trademarks to avoid legal issues.
• Seek feedback - Gather opinions from friends, family, or your target audience to gauge the appeal and relevancy of your chosen name.
• Think about future growth - Choose a name that is flexible enough to accommodate potential expansion into new markets or services.
• Globe Getaways
• Travelocity Tours
• Holiday Havens
• Vacation Ventures
• Cruise Away
• Ride & Explore
• Jet Set Journeys
• Global Adventures
• Dream Getaways
• Exploring Escapes
• Voyage Vacations
• Leisurely Travels
• Journey Joys
• Roaming Reverie
• Vacation Voyagers
• Travelling Treasures
• Wanderlust Wonders
• Worldly Wonders
• Joyful Journeys
• Take Me Away
• Destination Discoveries
• Luxurious Locales
• Trip Treasures
• Getaway Galore
• Explore Expeditions

More resources

• Wanderlust Travels
• Travel Express
• Journey's Gate
• Roaming Roads
• Roaming Around the World
• Let's Explore
• Voyage Voyage
• Discover the World
• Roaming Earth
• Exploring Horizons
• Roaming Wonders
• Travel Masters
• Adventure Awaits
• Voyaging Horizons
• Roaming Globe
• Travelling Trails
• Roaming Beyond
• Traveling Tales
• Voyagers Ventures
• Explorers Adventures
• Journeys Journey
• Exploring Wonders
• Roaming and Exploring
• Voyagers Voyage
• Journey Bound
• Roaming Getaways
• Cross Country Tours
• Trip Finders
• Vacation Seekers
• Worldwide Journeys
• Vacation Voyages
• Grand Adventures
• Global Routes
• Explorer's Choice
• Destination Vacations
• Travel Treks
• Traveling Trails
• Adventure Tours
• Vacationing Voyagers
• Tours & Travel
• Vacation Escapes
• Journey Makers
• Roaming Retreats
• Roaming Expeditions
• Traveling Wonders
• Adventure Getaways
• Worldwide Wonders

We're newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

The 12 best places to visit in Tyumen (the oldest siberian city)

It is the oldest city in siberia and has many points of interest. find out about the best places to visit in tyumen, russia..

The first Siberian city was founded in 1586. Tyumen has been unofficially titled the oil and gas capital of Russia. The city’s population is 707 000 people, which continues to increase. According to RBC Holding, Tyumen is one of ten the most quick-growing towns in Russia. Don’t let the mention of oil-hungry businesspeople leave you thinking this is a dull, money-focused city, though. The city has a buzzing street life in summer and a couple of worthwhile sights that, taken together, will keep you entertained for a day or so.

Tyumen is also the stepping stone to the gorgeous old town of Tobolsk, a few hours’ bus or train ride away. Tyumen is a cultural, business, educational and administrative center of the Tyumen region. Most of the city’s population comprises young people under 35.

Here are always places to go in the evening and to see during weekends. Cozy cafes, luxurious restaurants, the best theatres and philharmonic concert hall, and museums reminding about the rich history of the city — all that is Tyumen. These are the best places to see in Tyumen, Russia.

1. Tyumen’s Holy Trinity Monastery

Tyumen’s Holy Trinity Monastery is located in the historical center of Tyumen. It is just a few minutes walk from the Tura Embankment. The monastery was founded on the picturesque bank of the Tura River in 1616. Almost a century later, in 1708, the old wooden monastery was rebuilt with stone. Shortly after, the monastery was named Holy Trinity. The building process was conducted under the leadership of metropolitan Philophey Leschinsky. Later, he took monastic vows and lived in seclusion for the rest of his life. After he died in 1727, he was buried at the monastery’s entrance.

During the Soviet period, the monastery was used as a dormitory for a military platoon and the headquarters of the city’s water control system. The monastery was returned to the Tyumen diocese in 1995, but the first service was not held there until 2003. In 2005 the relic of prelate Philophey was uncovered and is now kept in the Peter and Paul Cathedral monastery. In 2007 a square was dedicated to Philophey near the monastery. Today Holy Trinity Monastery is open for everyone to see and tour while it continues to hold regular liturgical services.

2. Znamensky Cathedral

The history of Znamensky Cathedral found its roots in the first half of the 17th century, when a small wooden chapel was first erected at the site of the current Cathedral. The old wooden chapel was replaced with the construction of a stone church which began on September 1st, 1768. The church’s previous name was given in honor of Mary, the Mother of God, and her icon within the church. The building was dedicated only 33 years later, in 1801. The church’s first stone building was painted white and consisted of the main chapel, a bell tower, a refectory, and a porch.

After the Revolution of 1917, the Cathedral was used as a transit prison. Still, between 1933 and 1941, the church was returned to the diocese. With the beginning of World War II, however, it was again taken over and used to house dislocated army forces. Finally, the Cathedral was returned to the eparchy. On June 19th, 1994, the clergy held a liturgical service for the first time. Today Znamensky Cathedral is a functioning church and one of the most beautiful symbols of Tyumen.

3. Tyumen Bolshoi Drama Theater

In 2008, The Tyumen Bolshoi Drama Theater got a new building built in record time for one year and eight months. With a 158-year history, the theater is the most prominent Drama Theater in Russia. The history of the Tyumen theater began even before the first building. It is known that in 1858 the St. Petersburg guest expressed his admiration for Amateur performances.

This fact was recorded, and the city’s theatrical history was reckoned from it. History tells us that in 1890, the first Guild merchant, an honorary citizen of the municipality Tekut’ev Andrei Ivanovich, founded a permanent theatre, which entered the town history called Tekut’evsky. Andrei Ivanovich, in love with the spectacle of dramatic scenes, supported theatre for 26 years.

In 1916, before his death, he bequeathed the theatre to the city. The City Council accepted the gift, and newspaper announcements began to inform about the performances not in the Tekut’ev’s theater but in the city theatre named Tekut’ev. After the October revolution, the theatre received the name of V. I. Lenin.

Under the leadership of the Petrograd director Valmar, it was staged such performances as “Idiot”, “the Power of Darkness”, “the Living corpse”, and “the Day”. In subsequent years the core of the repertoire included Russian and foreign classics, the best works of modern drama.

4. Saint George Ascension church

Through the parishioners’ efforts, this church was erected on the Tura River’s left bank. The church began as a stone two-storied building with a bell tower and two thrones: one is on the first floor in honor of Saint George and the other in honor of the Ascension of God is on the second.

After the October Revolution in 1929, the church was closed, and a workshop of tanners and chemists used its building. In 1934-35 the church became a dormitory for driving school students and combined operators. Later the building was under the governance of Tuymen’s fur coat fabric company.

Only in 1996 was the building returned to the diocese of Tobolsk and Tyumen. Two years later, services were resumed there. Step by step, in 2005, the bell tower was restored. In 2006, the church participated in the government program entitled “Cultural memorials restoration.” Now it is a functioning church that adorns the historical center of Tyumen.

5. Church of the Saviour

The Church of the Saviour, also known as the Church of the Image of “The Saviour Not Made by Hands” or shorter Spasskaya Church, is a church in Tyumen, Tyumen Oblast, Russia, located at Lenin Street, 43, at a crossroad between the Chelyuskintsev Street. Built-in a late 18th-century Siberian Baroque and early 20th-century neorussian style, the building is one of Siberia’s oldest and most expressive churches, under monument protection.

It is believed that the early wooden church was raised in 1586 and reconstructed after several fires into a stable stone building in the late 17th century. The Church of the Saviour saw another two rebuildings in the late 19th century. However, after the 1917 October Revolution, the church was subject to confiscations of its property in 1922, and in 1930 was closed and became a momentary prison.

After the failed attempt to destroy the church two years later, it has been used as an archive and a library. The building storage material for the Tyumen Local Historical Museum is expected to be returned to the local eparchy in 2019.

6. Tura Embankment

The only thing in the Russian four-level structure of this kind and one of the favorite holiday destinations among residents and visitors alike. Here, close to each other is full of the city’s attractions: Lover’s Bridge, historical area, the museum “City Council” Architecture and Construction University, and Holy Trinity Monastery. Embankment and bridge of lovers – the city card is depicted on the magnets, postcards, and other souvenirs tourists bring from Tyumen.

Construction of the promenade continues today, and it planned its expansion on both sides of the river Tura. Throughout the embankment, scattered monuments of famous people, life, and activity were somehow linked to Tyumen. Summer, early Fall, and spring – are the best time for walking and spending time on the waterfront.

It is always noisy: many people are playing songs with a guitar, working fountains, flash mobs, and holding various events, to the bridge of lovers traditionally come to the newlyweds. In the summer promenade Tours – the most popular holiday destination for residents.

7. The Lovers’ Bridge

The Lovers’ Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Tura River in the Central District of Tyumen. The bridge was built in 1987 – five years after the collapse of an old wooden bridge in the exact location. The last name of the bridge was Peshehodniy (Pedestrian). Still, in 2003 local DJs Maria Kondratovich and Timur Shkval arranged an unusual contest called “The most unusual kiss”.

After this event, the city mayor Stepan Kirichuk offered to rename the bridge the Lovers’ Bridge. Then, on July 26th, newly married couples, the director of the Red Army Radio Station V. Bogodelov, and the city’s mayor performed an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the bridge.

8. Kolokolnikovs Estate Museum

The Kolokolnikovs Estate Museum is the only remaining classical merchant’s estate in Tyumen. The building’s facade combines classical and baroque architecture elements and traditional Siberian carving. The doors open to a luxurious, brightly lit hall with lofted ceilings and walls decorated with vivid paintings of the Kolokolnikovs family.

One painting depicts an old trade shop, representing the collective image of the city’s shops. Stepping through the doors of the Kolokolnikovs Estate transports one back to the unique atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The permanent exhibit of the Kolokolnikovs Estate Museum is called “The History of the House”. It is dedicated to the history of the merchant families, such as the Ikonnikovs and the Kolokolnikovs. The exhibit will also explain the historical events in this house, one of which was the monumental meeting between the future Emperor Alexander II and the great Russian poet V. Zhukovsky in 1837. In 1919 the estate was used as the headquarters of Marshal V. Blyukher.

9. Gorodskaya Duma Museum

The building of the Tyumen regional Museum of Local Lore Gorodskaya Duma was built in the second half of the XIX century. It is a magnificent example of Russian provincial architecture. The high ladder and a stepped attic give the museum its slenderness, combined with a Corinthian portico and massive columns — the traditional buildings of public institutions and architectural elements.

The Window into the nature constant exhibition introduces the variety of Flora and Fauna of the Tyumen region and its ancient inhabitants. An integral part of the museum is a small paleontological Museum. The skeleton’s collection of mammoth, fossil bison, woolly rhinoceros, and cave bears is presented at the museum. In addition, visitors can get acquainted with the Botanical, Zoological, and entomological collections.

10. House Masharova Museum

The House Masharova Museum is an old house built in the neoclassical style and previously belonged to N. Masharov, a famous manufacturer and one of the founders of the iron industry in Tyumen. The museum is a monument to late 19th and early 20th-century Siberian architecture and is renowned for its luxurious décor.

Traditional musical events and temporary exhibitions are regularly organized in the House Masharova Museum. They take place in the chamber-like atmosphere of the welcoming hall of the merchant’s house.

The permanent exhibition called the Family Book tells the tale of the family’s life at the end of the 19th century. During a tour of the house built, you will see many authentic items of a past era and discover the etiquette of a traditional family from Tyumen.

11. Alexandrovsky Garden

The original name of the Alexandrovsky Garden is the Country Garden. The garden appeared on a vacant plot of land in 1851 when thousands of linden, birch, spruce, and pine trees were planted in the area of about 100 acres (40 000 m²) with the money of the merchant Ivan Ikonnikov.

The garden was named after the crown prince Alexander, the future Tsar Alexander II, who visited Tyumen on May 31st, 1837, during his journey through Siberia. After the October Revolution of 1917, the garden was abandoned until 1948, when a small portion of it was restored through the employees’ efforts of a ship-building plant.

The landscape of the garden was adorned with a pond, a small bridge built traversing the ravine, a shooting range, and a restaurant with a terrace. In the 1960s, it was abandoned again, and by the 1970s, it fell into disrepair. Later a development effort began on the garden’s premises with the construction of houses, a kindergarten, and garages. A road to the Profsoyuzny Bridge was also built through the park.

However, the renewal of the garden did not begin until 2007. Although ten times smaller than the original garden, the grounds were restored, and the Alexandrovsky Garden became its official name. The fountain was rebuilt as well as sculptures of citizens styled after the 19th century. Some statues include the Hussar, Ladies on a Walk, A Girl at Rest, and the Boy.

12. Rasputin Museum

Grigory Rasputin was a friend of the last Russian emperor Nikolay II and his family. Rasputin is one of the most mysterious and exciting personalities of the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. In the 1900s, among Saint Petersburg’s high society, he had the reputation of the Tsar’s family friend, a religious elder, a seer, and a healer.

The exposition includes a cosmetic mirror, broken down in the middle that symbolizes the broken life of its owner, an icon of St. Simeon Verhotursky the Righteous, who is highly honored in Siberia, and the plate of the famous Kuznetsovky porcelain factory with the monogram of the empress, which Rasputin gave to his god-daughter Iraida Kolesnikova during her christening, an old Viennese chair from the Rasputin’s house. There is an authentic platband from the famous home of Rasputin, and the only thing remained of the building.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Portuguese pastry: 15 amazing sweets from Portugal

There are few countries in the world with as much variety of traditional sweets as Portugal. The immense variety of...

Russian cities: the 15 largest

The most common Russian names (meanings and origins)

100 amazing Fyodor Dostoevsky quotes full of wisdom

30 Russian Proverbs and Sayings full of wisdom

© 2024 Vortex Magazine

Mais infomação

Redes sociais.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

‘The Demand Is Unstoppable’: Can Barcelona Survive Mass Tourism?

This summer, thousands of local protesters in the Spanish city denounced overtourism. With more crowds expected for the America’s Cup, we visited the areas where tensions are highest.

By Lisa Abend

Lisa Abend, a Europe-based journalist, lived in Spain for nine years and continues to visit Barcelona frequently.

On a steamy August evening, a stream of young people bearing boxes of pizza and bottles of cheap cava began the uphill slog to Carmel Bunkers in Barcelona. Set on a hill overlooking the Catalan capital, the concrete structures once housed antiaircraft weapons that protected the city during Spain’s civil war in the 1930s. Later the site became a destination for residents on evening strolls and a hangout for local youths.

But that was before Instagram and TikTok.

Several years ago, inspired by social media, young tourists began making the Bunkers a favorite spot for drinking, carousing and the inevitable sunset selfie. Last spring the noise, litter and sheer number of visitors spurred the city to erect fences around the site.

Now, hundreds of visitors find any space they can amid the surrounding scrub and rocks. Or they simply jump the barriers.

“I used to play there as a girl,” said Manoli Fernández, 57, a longtime resident out strolling with her daughter and 87-year-old mother. “Now there are drunk tourists peeing on our neighbor’s doorstep.”

For anyone hoping to understand the complicated contours of overtourism in Barcelona, the Carmel Bunkers is a good place to start. The frustrations experienced by those who live nearby apply to other hot spots: residents of the Gothic Quarter who feel displaced by the crowds; pollution along the waterfront where massive cruise ships dock; and everywhere, it seems, an apparent disregard for local culture.

Last month, Barcelona made worldwide headlines when roughly 3,000 residents protested against tourism , some squirting visitors on the city’s famed boulevard Las Ramblas with water guns. News outlets speculated that tensions over tourism, which have been simmering for years, not only in the Catalan capital, but across Europe, had finally boiled over into outright hostility.

Transformed by tourism

In Barcelona, there is a new sense of urgency to solving a problem whose origins there can be largely traced to the 1992 Olympic Games, which introduced legions of travelers to the charms of the city, and transformed its fortunes. The arrival of Ryanair in 2010 had a major impact, initiating a new era of low-cost tourism, and a sharp growth in cruise travel poured hundreds of thousands of day-trippers into the city. Platforms like Airbnb spurred the conversion of residential housing to more profitable short-term rentals.

Then, following the pandemic, came “revenge” tourism, when throngs of people arrived after two years of lockdown. This year, the number of visitors is expected to surpass prepandemic levels.

Perhaps even more significant than the renewed presence of tourists is the absence that preceded it. As Daniel Pardo, 48, co-founder of the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourism Degrowth , which helped organize the recent protest, said, “During the pandemic, we recovered the spaces and customs that tourism had forced us to abandon. You could have a coffee at a table in front of the cathedral, or chat calmly with your neighbors on the street. There were even beautiful scenes like children bathing in the fountain in the Plaça Reial.”

Today, the fountain is again a noisy perch for tourists sucking from beer bottles as the city of 1.6 million struggles to accommodate what tourism officials say will be at least 13 million visitors. Their impact includes skyrocketing housing prices, dirty beaches, crowded thoroughfares and the transformation of historic neighborhoods into what locals refer to as “theme parks.”

Yet, as Mateu Hernández, the managing director of the Barcelona Tourism Consortium, said, “Barcelona has developed more tools to manage tourism than maybe any other city.”

In the last decade, the municipal government has banned new hotel construction, raised the tourist tax on accommodations, limited the size of groups in congested areas, and even had one public bus line popular with tourists removed from Google Maps. By the end of 2028, a new regulation will eliminate short-term vacation rentals.

Economically, Barcelona remains reliant on tourism, which contributes 14 percent of the city’s revenues and directly employs 150,000 people. Hotels, vacation-home hosts, restaurant servers, kiosk owners — all are adamantly opposed to anything that might disturb the golden goose.

As a result, the city finds itself limiting some kinds of tourism while encouraging others. For instance, beginning this month, Barcelona is hosting the America’s Cup , an international sailing competition expected to draw tens of thousands of people.

A weekend spent crisscrossing the city shows just how complicated the attempt to balance these competing needs can be. But according to the deputy mayor responsible for tourism, Jordi Valls, the city has no choice.

“We have to come up with policies that manage the reality, which is that tourism in Barcelona has been a success, and that it could lead to our ruin,” he said. “We have to understand that the demand is unstoppable. The only thing we can do is control the supply.”

Eixample, Saturday, 9 a.m.

On a recent Saturday morning, two inspectors were trying to do just that. Pressing insistently on a doorbell in the elegant Eixample neighborhood, Alba and R (each asked to give only part of their names because some inspectors have received threats) waited until a sleepy-looking man, chest bare, belt unbuckled, opened the door. Reluctantly, he answered the inspectors’ questions in a mix of Italian-inflected Spanish and English. Yes, he had paid for a room after booking it online; no, he didn’t know the people staying there. “So,” Alba explained to the unsuspecting lodger, “this is an illegal rental.”

In a city with an acute housing shortage and exorbitant rents, Alba, R and 25 other inspectors are part of the effort to control how many apartments are converted into tourist rentals. In 2014, the city began requiring property owners to secure permits for rentals of fewer than 31 days, and the inspectors have been busy ever since.

The combination of reduced housing stock and rising prices has meant that many residents cannot afford to live in the center. “It’s a zero sum game,” said Eduardo González de Molina, a sociologist at Carlos III University in Madrid and a former adviser for the Barcelona Housing Authority. “Every tourist apartment is one less for a family.”

Jaume Collboni, the mayor, recently announced that Barcelona would revoke the 10,100 permits currently in effect in 2028. Coupled with a 2017 cap on the construction of new hotels, the measure will reduce even further the 155,000 beds in the center that are legally available. According to an Autonomous University of Barcelona study, Airbnb has driven up rental prices in the center by 7 percent. But opponents of the measure point out that housing costs have risen far higher — 66 percent in the last decade — and that the number of permits for tourist apartments has been frozen at roughly 10,000 since the licenses were introduced in 2014.

“If the cost of housing has risen in the last several years, it’s not the fault of tourist apartments because the amount of them has stayed the same,” said Enrique Alcántara, president of Apartur, a property manager association that is suing the city for a regulation they claim unconstitutionally revokes their licenses. More to blame, Mr. Alcántara said, is the lack of new construction and the unregulated leases enjoyed by expats and digital nomads.

An Airbnb spokesman responded to an interview request with a statement: “The root causes of housing and tourism challenges in Barcelona and Spain are a lack of new homes being built and decades of hotel-driven mass tourism, which accounts for the vast majority of visitors to Barcelona each year.”

Only about 30 percent of overnight visitors stay in rentals. And since being fined in 2018 for allowing illegal listings, Airbnb has required hosts to register their permit numbers.

But Alba, the inspector, said she has seen firsthand how some property owners, especially those who have bought multiple apartments and converted them to tourist rentals, are skirting the system with unregistered listings on other rental platforms. As someone who can’t afford to rent in the center, she doesn’t think the plan to eliminate tourist apartments is going to put her out of a job. “The opposite, actually. I think it will mean we have a lot more work.”

The Ramblas, Saturday, noon

Midday on a Saturday, Las Ramblas, the thoroughfare that was once lined with boutiques and stalls selling flowers and birds, is a mass of sweaty tourists. One side of the street is torn up with construction that will eventually mean wider sidewalks and new green spaces. But for now the boulevard remains a morass of souvenir stands, currency exchanges and cafes serving sangria and microwaved paella.

“Tourists consume certain kinds of services that locals don’t, and vice versa,” said Ayman Tobal, 30, an economic historian, who participated in the protests and lives nearby. Recently he couldn’t find a place to get his keys copied. “It was absolutely impossible — they’ve all been driven out by the souvenir shops and specialty coffee places. Overtourism destroys the fabric of a neighborhood.”

Perhaps no institution represents the change to that fabric better than the Ramblas’ Boqueria market , once considered among the greatest in the world. These days, instead of providing mainly families or chefs with raw ingredients, the stalls cater to tourists with prepared foods: fishmongers sell cones of fried shrimp alongside filets of monkfish; poultry vendors shelve pre-baked empanadas next to eggs.

Yolanda Serrano, a butcher, runs one of the few stalls that still sell only raw ingredients. “Tourism has taken this market from us. Our customers can’t come here anymore because they can’t get through with their carts. But I’m a butcher, I don’t want to sell crappy empanadillas.” She is thinking about moving her shop to a street near the less touristy Sant Antoni market.

Pinotxo , until recently the Boqueria’s most well-known bar, has already made the move. The owner, Jordi Asín, couldn’t be happier. “At the Boqueria, excess tourism really changed the kind of business we could do,” he said. “Here, we still get tourists, but they’re the gastronomic ones who come because they know of our cooking. And there are a lot more locals, so it’s a much better balance.”

Parc Güell, Saturday, 4 p.m.

With its vivid mosaics and undulating terraces, Parc Güell , designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, is a tourist magnet, so popular that the attraction recently closed its on-site ticket office and now requires visitors to book online.

On a prominent hill in the Gracia neighborhood, Parc Güell is not easy to reach; even the nearest metro stations require a steep walk up or downhill. There is, however, one form of public transportation that helps residents navigate the hills: a minibus that stops at the park’s entrance. “But it had become so jammed with tourists that the city government asked Google to remove it from its maps,” said Artur Paz, who, with his son, was among a handful of passengers on a Saturday afternoon. “Now it’s ours again.”

Overtourism pressures communities in many ways. Mr. Paz’s son attends school inside the park, and he says that many parents are so fed up with the crowds that they sometimes ram tourists with their bikes. He thinks that kind of animosity is unwarranted. “We’re all tourists sometimes,” he said. “If I travel to New York and am sitting in an outdoor cafe, I wouldn’t want someone coming at me with a water gun.”

Cruise ship terminal, Sunday, 9 a.m.

On a Sunday morning, thousands of passengers had spilled from five massive cruise ships docked just outside the city center. Most summer mornings see the arrival of several ships, but Sundays are especially bad: As many as 25,000 passengers pour into the city in the span of a few hours.

To diminish their impact, the city recently moved the cruise terminals from the base of the Ramblas a bit farther south. But most passengers board buses that take them to the Ramblas. And many, like the 5,500 who arrived that morning on the MSC Virtuosa, stay only for the day, putting a lot of social and environmental pressure on the city without spending much.

Kieran and Corinne George and their four kids had boarded the MSC Virtuosa eight days earlier in England, and didn’t have plans for their 10 hours in Barcelona. On the bus to the Ramblas, they were surprised to hear that the city wanted to reduce day trips like theirs. “Are they saying they don’t want families to come?” Mr. George asked.

According to the deputy mayor, Mr. Valls, the city will soon charge higher fees for ships that dock only for a day. It’s part of a plan to attract “higher quality” tourism, he said. “We want visitors who really value what they find in Barcelona, its culture, its concerts, its urban design, its architecture.”

And its America’s Cup. According to the tourism authority’s Mr. Hernández, the event appeals to the focused, higher-spending tourists the city wants. “The person who comes because they like sailing — that’s the profile of someone who adds a lot of value.”

Hosting that event, like the city’s expansion of the airport, suggests to some critics — like Daniel Pardo, whose organization wants a ban on tourism promotion — that the city isn’t serious about tackling overtourism. “For the government to pretend that they are doing something against the touristification of the city when they continuously decide and publicly defend these kinds of things is completely incoherent.”

Sagrada Familia, Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

Outside Gaudí’s famous basilica, it is the usual chaos. Crowds gape, guides shepherd groups around and vendors line the sidewalk. As they waited for their time slot, two tourists from Utah, Cindy Godoy, 21, and Lexiana Casaday, 21, said they had heard about the protests, but they still felt welcomed. “People are so nice!” Ms. Godoy said. “But I can imagine there’s a tipping point where you feel like your city isn’t your own anymore.”

Inside, the pews were filled with parishioners and visitors. Although Mass was offered in Catalan, some prayers were in other languages, and an assistant reminded the congregation — in English — that the sacrament was only for baptized Catholics.

Among the residents were Jordi Nicolau and Gloria Belasch, in their 80s, who have been attending Sagrada Familia for years, and had even been married there. Although Ms. Belasch admitted that the visitors sometimes make it difficult to navigate the streets, she and her husband welcomed them. “The former priest told us that we have to love the tourists and show them care,” said Mr. Nicolau. “So we do.”

With that, the two left the church holding hands, and, while a busker entertained tourists with “Hotel California,” went off to greet their neighbors.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Provincetown, Mass.:  Located at the tip of Cape Cod, P-town (as locals call it) has overlapping — and sometimes competing — identities : one of America’s oldest art colonies, nature preserve, thriving L.G.B.T.Q. resort and historic Portuguese fishing village.

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

Florida Tourism Quietly Deleted Its LGBTQ+ Pages

“Erasing an entire segment of people is not a marketing campaign,” says the CEO of one of the state’s top destination marketing organizations. “From a business standpoint, it makes zero sense.”

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Florida's state tourism organization removed its LGBTQ+ content prior to the summer season.

T wo years after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pushed through his controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law , which regulates how Florida public schools can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity, the Sunshine State’s tourism organization removed its “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website.

In all, dozens of pages were removed from the Visit Florida website sometime between June 1 and July 4, according to the Wayback Machine, which archives old pages from the internet. Representatives from Visit Florida did not respond to Forbes ’ request for comment.

Prior to this summer, Visit Florida’s website included a LGBTQ landing page trumpeting “SUNSHINE FOR ALL,” boasting of the “sense of freedom” in the state and billing its beaches as “a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

“Whether you’re a couple seeking a romantic getaway or a modern family searching for kid-friendly fun, here are some LGBTQ-friendly destinations for you, throughout the Sunshine State,” the now-removed landing page said.

Gone are the pages touting Florida’s top 10 gay beaches and most LGBTQ-friendly destinations. Ditto for those recommending LGBTQ road trips and Pride events. The deletion of content was first reported by NBC News .

Tourism is Florida’s number one industry. Last year, the Sunshine State welcomed 140.6 million out-of-state visitors, marking an increase of 2.3% from 2022’s record-breaking figure. Florida’s reliance on tourism dollars makes the move to eliminate LGBTQ+ content from the Visit Florida website all the more of a head-scratcher. The LGBTQ+ tourism market is worth over $200 billion annually, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

“From a business standpoint, it makes zero sense,” says Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, arguably the most inclusive destination in the Sunshine State. Ritter estimates that about 15% of the Greater Fort Lauderdale’s tourists identify as LGBTQ+. “And it’s about a billion-dollar-a-year industry here because they spend one and a half times more money than non-aligned-LGBTQ visitors,” she says.

“Erasing an entire segment of people is not a marketing campaign,” continues Ritter, who first became aware that Visit Florida removed its LGBTQ section several weeks ago when one of her colleagues brought it to her attention. “It’s a culture war. They’ve decided to inject themselves in the culture war, which is bad for business.”

In 2023, Canada was the top international source market for Florida, representing 28% of all international visitors to the state, according to a Visit Florida report . Yet last year, Canada updated its travel advisory for the U.S., warning that “some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect” LGBTQ people traveling in the country.

“Continuing to marginalize underserved communities is a philosophy in Tallahassee, and it’s cruel and mean spirited. There’s no economic policy behind it that says it’s beneficial to Floridians,” Ritter says, adding that she wishes other Florida destinations would speak out.

Ritter says most of the state’s tourism officials just want to keep their heads down. Last year, after the NAACP put out a travel advisory telling Black tourists not to visit Florida, she says she tried to get the CEOs of the state’s five largest destination marketing organizations to come together. “I wanted to put out a statement from all of us that said that we are welcoming, inclusive destinations. They wouldn’t even put their name on that,” she says. “But you know, you can’t lead by fear. Instead, we’re all about values.”

“While we cannot speak on behalf of Visit Florida, Visit Orlando actively welcomes and promotes our destination to LGBTQ+ travelers,” a spokesperson for Visit Orlando said in an email, noting that the organization runs a year-long LGBTQ+ campaign that includes several media partnerships, a float in the Dallas Pride parade and the upcoming Orlando Come Out with Pride parade. “This is an important market to us, and we are fully committed to ongoing support for our LGBTQ+ community by sharing with the world our welcoming and inclusive destination.”

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau did not respond to Forbes ’ requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Visit Lauderdale is betting that tourists will continue to be drawn to the beach destination’s message of inclusivity.

“There’s a greater good here,” says Ritter. “You can adamantly support people who need your support right now, and also recognize there’s an economic benefit to doing so. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s America, that’s capitalism.”

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

Florida quietly removes LGBTQ+ travel info from state website

Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors are among several Florida cities that have long been top U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and St. Petersburg are among several Florida cities that have long been top U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So it came as a surprise this week when travelers learned that Florida’s tourism marketing agency quietly removed the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website sometime in the past few months.

Business owners who cater to Florida’s LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday that it marked the latest attempt by officials in the state to erase the LGBTQ+ community. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously championed a bill to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, and supported a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, as well as a law meant to keep children out of drag shows.

“It’s just disgusting to see this,” said Keith Blackburn, who heads the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “They seem to want to erase us.”

The change to Visit Florida’s website was first reported by NBC News, which noted a search query still pulls up some listings for LGBTQ+-friendly places despite the elimination of the section.

John Lai, who chairs Visit Florida’s board, didn’t respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. Dana Young, Visit Florida’s CEO and president, didn’t respond to a voicemail message Wednesday, and neither did the agency’s public relations director.

Visit Florida is a public-private partnership between the state of Florida and the state’s tourism industry. The state contributes about $50 million each year to the quasi-public agency from two tourism and economic development funds.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. Nearly 141 million tourists visited Florida in 2023, with out-of-state visitors contributing more than $102 billion to Florida’s economy.

Before the change, the LGBTQ+ section on Visit Florida’s website had read, “There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities — a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

Blackburn said the change and other anti-LGBTQ+ policies out of Tallahassee make it more difficult for him to promote South Florida tourism since he encounters prospective travelers or travel promoters who say they don’t want to do business in the state.

Last year, for instance, several civil rights groups issued a travel advisory for Florida, saying that policies championed by DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

But visitors should also understand that many Florida cities are extremely inclusive, with gay elected officials and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and they don’t reflect the policies coming from state government, Blackburn added.

“It’s difficult when these kinds of stories come out, and the state does these things, and we hear people calling for a boycott,” Blackburn said. “On one level, it’s embarrassing to have to explain why people should come to South Florida and our destination when the state is doing these things.”

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.