{{short description|Retailer that provides tourism-related services}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Globalize|article|date=August 2018}} [[File:Allamanda Voyages, 3 Impasse de la Gaité, 75014 Paris 2014.jpg|thumb|Allamanda Voyages travel agency in Paris]] [[File:Condor Viagens & Turismo Ltda.jpg|thumb|Travel agency in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]] [[File:Tao Ko Travel Service HQ 20131103.jpg|thumb|Travel agency in Taiwan]] A '''travel agency''' is a private retailer or public service that provides travel and tourism-related services to the general public on behalf of accommodation or travel suppliers to offer different kinds of travel packages for each destination.
Travel agencies can provide outdoor recreation, arranging logistics for luggage and medical items delivery for travellers upon request, public transport timetables, car rentals, and bureau de change services. Travel agencies can also serve as general sales agents for airlines that do not have offices in a specific region. A travel agency's main function is to act as an agent, selling travel products and services on behalf of a supplier. They are also called Travel Advisors. They do not keep inventory in-hand unless they have pre-booked hotel rooms or cabins on a cruise ship for a group travel event, such as a wedding, honeymoon, or other group event.
In the decades after World War II, travel and migration agencies also played a role in assisting international migration, alongside state programmes and intergovernmental organisations such as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM, now the International Organization for Migration.).<ref name="Limnios-Sekeris2025">{{cite journal |last=Limnios-Sekeris |first=I. |year=2025 |title=An entrepreneurial turf war: Travel agencies, ICEM, and the migration industry since the 1950s |journal=Business History |pages=1–22 |doi=10.1080/00076791.2025.2558764 |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00076791.2025.2558764|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== Business model == Travel agencies often receive commissions and other benefits and incentives from providers or may charge a fee to the end users.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://smallbusiness.chron.com/travel-agency-make-money-55659.html | title=How Does a Travel Agency Make Money? | first=Robert | last=Morello | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=18 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118071609/https://smallbusiness.chron.com/travel-agency-make-money-55659.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Hotel owners and tour operators typically pay a higher commission rate to travel agencies, whereas airlines typically pay no commission.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/462223/travel-provider-segments-which-pay-travel-agency-commission/ | title=Travel providers which pay travel agency commission | website=Statista | access-date=10 May 2020 | archive-date=9 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809164348/https://www.statista.com/statistics/462223/travel-provider-segments-which-pay-travel-agency-commission/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The customer is normally not made aware of how much the travel agent is earning in commissions and other benefits.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2014/09/25/travel-agents/16221261/ | title=Five myths about travel agents | publisher=USA TODAY | date=25 September 2014 | access-date=17 September 2017 | archive-date=26 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926234238/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2014/09/25/travel-agents/16221261/ | url-status=live }}</ref> A 2016 survey of 1,193 travel agents in the United States found that on average 78% of their revenue was from commissions and 22% was generated from fees.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.statista.com/topics/1859/travel-agencies/ | title=Travel agency industry – Statistics & Facts | first=S. | last=Lock | publisher=Statista | date=11 July 2018 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202904/https://www.statista.com/topics/1859/travel-agencies/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
== Accreditation number == Travel agencies are recognized by vendors through their accreditation numbers. In the United States, the main accreditation numbers are issued by Airlines Reporting Corporation, Cruise Lines International Association, International Air Transport Association.
If more than one travel agency is booking under the same accreditation number, the agency of record is called a host agency.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency | title=What is a host agency? | date=26 February 2024 | publisher=Host Agency Reviews | access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref> This is a popular model in the United States, with surveys show anywhere from 43-85% of leisure agencies now booking under a host agency.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.traveldailynews.com/organizations/the-travel-institute-s-new-survey-signals-need-for-additional-agent-recruitment-and-retention/ | title=The Travel Institute's New Survey Signals Need for Additional Agent Recruitment and Retention | first=Tatiana | last=Rokou | date=6 September 2023 | access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.phocuswright.com/Special-Projects/2024/US-Travel-Agency-Landscape-2024 | title=US Travel Agency Landscape 2024 | publisher=Phocuswright | access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/hosted-travel-advisor-report-2023 |title=Hosted Travel Advisor Report 2023 |date=30 September 2023 |access-date=2024-03-28}}</ref>
== Travel technology == Travel agencies use the services of the major computer reservations systems, also known as global distribution systems (GDS), including: Amadeus CRS, Galileo GDS, Sabre, and Worldspan, which is a subsidiary of Travelport, which allow for comparison and sorting of hotel and flight rates with multiple companies.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2014/02/11/best-metasearch-sites-for-airfares/4947685/ | title=What's the best airfare metasearch site? | first=Bill | last=McGee | publisher=USA TODAY | date=11 February 2014 | access-date=17 September 2017 | archive-date=11 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211194504/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2014/02/11/best-metasearch-sites-for-airfares/4947685/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Bookings made via travel agents, including online travel agents, may or may not be confirmed instantly. Unlike online travel agencies, metasearch engines and scraper sites, such as Skyscanner, Kayak.com, Rome2rio, and TripAdvisor, travel agencies may or may not have their own booking engine, and instead provide results for search queries and then divert traffic to service providers or online travel agencies for booking.<ref name="Online Travel Agency">{{cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Animesh K. |last2=Sharma |first2=Rahul |title=Identification of the Customers' Preferred Attributes while Selecting an OTA (Online Travel Agency) Platform |journal=Indian Journal of Marketing |volume=52 |issue=7 |pages=43–55 |doi=10.17010/ijom/2022/v52/i7/170538 |year=2022 |s2cid=250639540 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://businessblog.trivago.com/metasearch-and-otas-do-you-know-the-difference/ | title=Metasearch and OTAs: Do You Know the Difference? | publisher=Trivago | date=7 April 2016 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202908/https://businessblog.trivago.com/metasearch-and-otas-do-you-know-the-difference/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/best-flight-booking-comparison-websites-apps/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/best-flight-booking-comparison-websites-apps/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=The best flight search websites – tried and tested | first=Craig | last=Grannell | publisher=The Daily Telegraph | date=10 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.phocuswire.com/Metasearch-part-3-multimodal | title=The metasearch model, part 3: The complexity of multimodal | first=Mitra | last=Sorrells | work=Phocuswire | date=22 October 2018 | access-date=10 November 2019 | archive-date=10 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110153904/https://www.phocuswire.com/Metasearch-part-3-multimodal | url-status=live }}</ref> Travel agents may also work with airline consolidators.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/10-reasons-why-travel-agents-like-to-work-with-airline-consolidators | title=10 Reasons: Why Travel Agents like to work with Airline Consolidators | first=Goran | last=Blažić | publisher=Today American TV program | date=3 October 2019 | access-date=10 May 2020 | archive-date=9 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809112518/https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/10-reasons-why-travel-agents-like-to-work-with-airline-consolidators | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/travel-agents-utilizing-airfare-consolidators-3252522 | title=What Travel Agents and Customers Need to Know About Using Airfare Consolidators | first=BONNIE | last=BURGESS | publisher=TripSavvy | date=23 September 2019 | access-date=10 May 2020 | archive-date=9 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809123722/https://www.tripsavvy.com/travel-agents-utilizing-airfare-consolidators-3252522 | url-status=live }}</ref>
Some companies use technology to promote sustainable tourism and bring carbon-neutrality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 eco-friendly travel companies you can feel good about booking with |url=https://www.timeout.com/travel/sustainable-travel-companies |access-date=20 April 2023 |publisher=Time Out Worldwide |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420052759/https://www.timeout.com/travel/sustainable-travel-companies |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Types of travel agencies ==
=== Traditional travel agencies === A traditional travel agent may work for a travel agency or work freelance.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.travelweekly.com/For-Travel-Agents/Power-List | title=Power List coverage | publisher=Travel Weekly | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=12 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112181705/https://www.travelweekly.com/For-Travel-Agents/Power-List | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-become-a-travel-agent | title=How to Become a Travel Agent | date=5 May 2023 | publisher=Host Agency Reviews | access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/190464 | title=How to Start a Travel Service | last=Khwaja | first=Ameen | publisher=Entrepreneur magazine | date=1 February 2008 | access-date=20 October 2016 | archive-date=24 September 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924092155/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/190464 | url-status=live }}</ref> Many traditional agents prefer the term "travel advisor" as opposed to "travel agent" to emphasize their advice, expertise, and connections that are of great value.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/20/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-1/ | title=Why You Need A Travel Agent, Part 1 | first=Larry | last=Olmsted | publisher=Forbes | date=20 January 2012 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202904/https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/20/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-1/ | url-status=live }}</ref> While most point-to-point travel is now booked online, traditional agents specialize in niche markets such as corporate travel, luxury travel, cruises, complicated and important trips, and specialty trips.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-agent-survival/index.html | title=The travel agent is dying, but it's not yet dead | first=Rebecca L. | last=Weber | publisher=CNN | date=10 October 2013 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202903/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-agent-survival/index.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Other niche markets for traditional travel agencies include travelers with disabilities, travelers over the age of 60, women traveling alone, LGBT tourism,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://smallbusiness.chron.com/impact-technology-travel-agency-business-57750.html | title=Impact of Technology on the Travel Agency Business | first=Lainie | last=Petersen | publisher=Houston Chronicle | date=19 March 2019 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202902/https://smallbusiness.chron.com/impact-technology-travel-agency-business-57750.html | url-status=live }}</ref> or a particular group interested in a similar activity, such as a sport.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/06/travel-agent/488282/ | title=Who Uses a Travel Agent in This Day and Age? | first=BOURREE | last=LAM | publisher=The Atlantic | date=22 June 2016 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202909/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/06/travel-agent/488282/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-are-travel-agents-still-a-thing-internet-airlines-agencies/ | title=Why Are Travel Agents Still a Thing? | first=Matthew | last=Braga | work=Vice Media | date=18 March 2016 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202902/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/8q8q4p/why-are-travel-agents-still-a-thing-internet-airlines-agencies | url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Franchise travel agencies === Helloworld Travel is an example of a franchised travel agency, giving agents access to internal systems for product and bookings.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://legalvision.com.au/how-do-i-set-up-a-travel-agency-and-tour-arrangement-company/ | title=How Do I Set Up a Travel Agency and Tour Arrangement Company? | publisher=LegalVision | date=28 April 2016 | access-date=22 October 2018 | archive-date=22 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073636/https://legalvision.com.au/how-do-i-set-up-a-travel-agency-and-tour-arrangement-company/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Online travel agencies === An online travel agency (OTA) uses a platform business model to generate revenue. The Expedia Group is the largest OTA globally. Booking Holdings is the second largest OTA.<ref>{{cite book | author1=Alastair M. Morrison | title=Tourism Marketing: In the Age of the Consumer | date=2022 | publisher=Taylor & Francis | isbn=9781317929659 }}</ref>
==Licensing== In many countries, all travel agencies are required to be licensed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.iata.org/services/accreditation/accreditation-travel/Pages/application.aspx | title=IATA – Become an IATA Agent | publisher=International Air Transport Association | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202909/https://www.iata.org/services/accreditation/accreditation-travel/Pages/application.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref> Many are also bonded and represented by IATA, and, for those that issue air tickets, the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) in the United Kingdom, and the Airlines Reporting Corporation in the United States also serve those purposes.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.iata.org/about/pages/index.aspx | title=IATA – About Us | publisher=International Air Transport Association | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=4 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404025941/https://www.iata.org/about/pages/index.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref> ABTA – The Travel Association the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), represent travel agencies in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asta.org/About/content.cfm?ItemNumber=752 | title=ASTA: Representing Travel Advisors and the Traveling Public for 85 Years | publisher=American Society of Travel Advisors | access-date=11 January 2021 | archive-date=28 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228010031/https://www.asta.org/About/content.cfm?ItemNumber=752 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.abta.com/about-us | title=ABTA: About us | publisher=ABTA – The Travel Association | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=23 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923233939/https://www.abta.com/about-us | url-status=live }}</ref>
==History== In 1758, Cox & Kings became the first travel agency in modern history.<ref>{{cite web | title=Establishment of Cox & Kings | url=https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/about-us/history | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202904/https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/about-us/history | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Richard-Turen/The-world-s-oldest-travel-company | title=The world's oldest travel company | first=Richard | last=Turen | work=Travel Weekly | date=17 August 2008 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202902/https://www.travelweekly.com/Richard-Turen/The-world-s-oldest-travel-company | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1840, the Abreu Agency was established in Porto by Bernardo Abreu, becoming the world's first agency to open its services to the public. thumb|A Thomas Cook travel agency in the United Kingdom, which ceased operating in 2019. In 1841, Thomas Cook, a Baptist preacher who believed that alcohol was to blame for social problems, reached an agreement with the Midland Railway to organize the transportation of 500 members of his temperance movement from the Leicester Campbell Street railway station to a rally in Loughborough in exchange for a commission.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbtravel.com/2013/10/a-brief-overview-and-history-of-the-travel-industry/ | title=A Brief Overview And Evolution Of The Travel Industry | first=MIKE | last=CAMERON | work=Christopherson Business Travel | date=7 October 2013 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202910/https://www.cbtravel.com/2013/10/a-brief-overview-and-history-of-the-travel-industry/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://medium.com/petroleum-service-company/the-first-travel-agency-organized-train-excursions-4b910f8778ce | title=The first travel agency organized train excursions | author=Kayleigh | work=Medium | date=16 August 2018}}</ref> He formed Thomas Cook & Son, which later became The Thomas Cook Group. It filed bankruptcy and underwent liquidation in 2019.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/thomas-cook-history-timeline/index.html | title=Thomas Cook: A history of one of the world's oldest travel firms | first=Karla | last=Cripps | work=CNN | date=23 September 2019 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=28 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928170529/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/thomas-cook-history-timeline/index.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1871, Dean and Dawson was founded in the United Kingdom and in the 1950s, it was acquired by Thomas Cook.<ref>{{cite web | title=Dean and Dawson Limited 1871 | url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp42765/dean-and-dawson-limited | publisher=Science Museum Group | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202902/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp42765/dean-and-dawson-limited | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1870, the Polytechnic Touring Association was founded in the United Kingdom.
In 1887, Walter T. Brownell established Brownell Travel, the first travel agency in the United States, and led 10 travelers on a European tour setting sail from New York on the SS ''Devonia''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Brownell Travel: About Us | url=https://www.brownelltravel.com/about-brownell/brownell-history/ | publisher=Brownell Travel | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202904/https://www.brownelltravel.com/about-brownell/brownell-history/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1895, Baldwins Travel was founded by Alfred K Baldwin, originally a printer, bookbinder and publisher in Tunbridge Wells. Baldwins begins selling railway tickets and helping friends to travel to Europe and beyond. News spreads and the former printers slowly build a strong side-line in travel at the back of the Baldwins Stationery shop at 27 Grosvenor Road.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Baldwins Travel Group {{!}} The history of Kent and Sussex's award-winning travel agent|url=https://www.baldwinstravel.co.uk/our-history|access-date=20 September 2021|website=www.baldwinstravel.co.uk|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920213138/https://www.baldwinstravel.co.uk/our-history|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1905, Nippon Travel Agency became the first travel agency in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ntainbound.com/ | title=Japan Information | publisher=Nippon Travel Agency | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=4 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104184840/http://www.ntainbound.com/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Originally, travel agencies largely catered to middle and upper-class customers but they became more commonplace with the development of commercial aviation.
In 1923, after being treated badly by a British travel agency, K. P. Chen formed what became the China Travel Service, the first travel agency in China.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.china.org.cn/top10/2011-10/30/content_23750853_6.htm | title=Top 10 influential businessmen of modern China | first=Zhang | last=Junmian | publisher=China Internet Information Center | date=30 October 2011 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108232012/http://www.china.org.cn/top10/2011-10/30/content_23750853_6.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>
The industry suffered during World War II. However, the Post–World War II economic expansion in mass-market package tours resulted in the proliferation of travel agencies catering to the working class.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.outstandingcolleges.com/history-of-the-travel-agent-industry/ | title=History of the Travel Agent Industry | date=25 February 2015 | access-date=10 May 2020 | archive-date=21 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421062203/https://www.outstandingcolleges.com/history-of-the-travel-agent-industry/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1929, Intourist was formed as the official state travel agency of the Soviet Union, with the goal of convincing outsiders to visit the country.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/russia/galleries/Holidays-in-Stalins-Russia-vintage-travel-posters/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/russia/galleries/Holidays-in-Stalins-Russia-vintage-travel-posters/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=The vintage posters that lured travelers to Stalin's Soviet Union | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=28 June 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In 1931, the US trade organization ASTA (originally the American Steamship and Tourist Agents Association, now the American Society of Travel Advisors) was created.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asta.org/about-us | title=ASTA: About Us | publisher=American Society of Travel Advisors | access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref>
During the Cold War, travel agents were used by people from Western countries to travel behind the Iron Curtain.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Eastbound tourism in the Cold War: the history of the Swedish communist travel agency Folkturist | journal=Journal of Tourism History | volume=10 | issue=2 | pages=130–145 | first=Sune Bechmann | last=Pedersen | publisher=Taylor & Francis | date=28 May 2018| doi=10.1080/1755182X.2018.1469679 | doi-access=free }}</ref>
In the early Cold War period, new intergovernmental programmes helped organise and subsidise long-distance migration from Europe, including the Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe (PICMME), renamed the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM). In some countries, travel and migration agencies viewed these programmes as both competition and a source of new business opportunities, as the administration of passports, consular procedures, medical checks, and transport became more bureaucratised and commercially mediated.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Limnios-Sekeris |first=Ioannis |title=An entrepreneurial turf war: Travel agencies, ICEM, and the migration industry since the 1950s |journal=Business History |date=2025-10-21 |doi=10.1080/00076791.2025.2558764}}</ref>
In 1951, the precursor to Helloworld Travel became one of the first travel agencies in Australia.
In 1955, Henderson Travel Service in Atlanta, Georgia became the first African-American-owned travel company and the first to take large groups of black American tourists to Africa.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/after-six-decades-black-travel-agency-helps-tourists-embrace-africa-n848726 | title=After six decades, black travel agency continues to help tourists 'embrace' Africa | first=Michael | last=Cottman | work=NBC News | date=27 February 2018 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=29 December 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229181346/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/after-six-decades-black-travel-agency-helps-tourists-embrace-africa-n848726 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ebony.com/life/travel-agency-africa/ | title=Black-owned Travel Agency Wants Tourists to 'Embrace' Africa | first=Shantell E. | last=Jamison | work=Ebony | date=27 February 2018 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108232012/https://www.ebony.com/life/travel-agency-africa/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Keihäsmatkat 1972.jpg|thumb|right|A Keihäsmatkat advertisement from Rhodes in 1971.]]
In the early 1980s, American Airlines' Sabre unit created a direct-to-consumer booking tool{{clarify|date=January 2024}} for flights, hotels and cars called eAAsySabre.<ref name=history>{{cite web | url=https://skift.com/history-of-online-travel/ | title=The History of Online Travel | first=Dennis | last=Schaal | publisher=Skift | access-date=7 November 2019 | archive-date=4 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704095432/https://skift.com/history-of-online-travel/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1989, with the liberalization of travel for South Koreans, Mode Tour became the first travel agency in the country.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://skift.com/2019/01/14/why-are-so-many-south-korean-travel-agencies-closing/ | title=Why Are So Many South Korean Travel Agencies Closing? | first=Youjin | last=Lee | work=Skift | date=14 January 2019 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108232010/https://skift.com/2019/01/14/why-are-so-many-south-korean-travel-agencies-closing/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1991, Hotel Reservations Network, the precursor of Hotels.com, was founded. At first, hotels did not pay much in commissions.<ref name=history/>
With the advent of the internet, travel agencies migrated online and underwent disintermediation by the reduction in costs caused by removing layers from the package holiday distribution network.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Andal-Ancion | first1=Angela | last2=Cartwright | first2=Phillip A. | first3=Yip | last3=George S. | title=The Digital Transformation of Traditional Business | journal=MIT Sloan Management Review | volume=44 | issue=4 | pages=34–41 | url=https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-digital-transformation-of-traditional-business/ | date=15 July 2003 | url-access=subscription | access-date=7 November 2019 | archive-date=7 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107222832/https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-digital-transformation-of-traditional-business/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1994, Travelweb.com launched as the first online directory of hotels.<ref name=25years>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/mar/12/how-25-years-of-the-web-inspired-travel-revolution | title=How 25 years of the Web inspired the travel revolution | first=Kevin | last=May | work=The Guardian | date=12 March 2014 | access-date=7 November 2019 | archive-date=7 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107222827/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/mar/12/how-25-years-of-the-web-inspired-travel-revolution | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1995, Internet Travel Network sold the first airline ticket via the World Wide Web.<ref name=25years/>
In October 1996, Expedia.com, funded with hundreds of millions of dollars by Microsoft launched as the first large online travel agency.<ref name=history/>
At the same time, Cheapflights started as a listing service for flight deals from consolidators.<ref name=history/>
In 1998, Lastminute.com was founded in the United Kingdom.<ref name=25years/>
In 1999, Expedia went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange. From 1999 to 2006, the number of travel agents in the United States plunged from 124,000 to 88,000 as many Americans switched to making their own travel arrangements online.<ref name="Cowen_Page_513">{{cite book |last1=Cowen |first1=Tyler |last2=Tabarrok |first2=Alex |title=Modern Principles of Economics |date=2010 |publisher=Worth Publishers |location=New York |isbn=9781429202275 |page=513 |edition=9th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BdnxxpsF2pMC&pg=PA513 |access-date=2 January 2023}}</ref>
Also in 1999, European airlines began eliminating or reducing commissions,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.businesstravelnews.com/More-News/British-Airways-Eliminates-Agency-Commissions | title=British Airways Eliminates Agency Commissions | first=AMON | last=COHEN | work=Business Travel News | date=21 February 2000 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108202910/https://www.businesstravelnews.com/More-News/British-Airways-Eliminates-Agency-Commissions | url-status=live }}</ref> while Singapore Airlines did so in parts of Asia. In 2002, several airlines in the United States did the same, which led to an unsuccessful lawsuit alleging collusion among the airlines, that was decided on appeal in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://casetext.com/case/in-re-travel-agent-commission-antitrust-litigation-2 | title=In re Travel Agent Commission Antitrust Litigation | publisher=United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio | date=29 October 2007 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108232015/https://casetext.com/case/in-re-travel-agent-commission-antitrust-litigation-2 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-6th-circuit/1498399.html | title=IN RE: TRAVEL AGENT COMMISSION ANTITRUST LITIGATION | publisher=United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit | date=2 October 2009 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=8 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108232012/https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-6th-circuit/1498399.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2007, the launch of the iPhone and related mobile apps increased travel bookings made online.<ref name=25years/>
In 2008, the launch of Airbnb created an online marketplace for spare bedrooms and apartments.<ref name=25years/>
In 2011, the launch of HotelTonight highlighted instantaneous same-day hotel room booking.<ref name=25years/>
In 2021, travel agency Baldwins Travel Group, which was founded in 1895 was bought by business group<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kemble|first=Harry|date=14 September 2021|publisher=Jacobs Media Group Ltd|title=Baldwins Travel acquired by business investors Inc & Co|url=http://travelweekly.co.uk/news/travel-agents/baldwins-travel-acquired-by-business-investors-inc-co|access-date=20 September 2021|website=Travel Weekly|language=en|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212618/http://travelweekly.co.uk/news/travel-agents/baldwins-travel-acquired-by-business-investors-inc-co|url-status=live}}</ref> Inc & Co.
==Outlook== According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, there were 66,300 people who were employed as travel agents for their full-time jobs. That number is projected to increase by 3% over the next 10 years. In 2022, the BLS lists the median travel agent salary as $46,400 per year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Sales/Travel-agents.htm | title=Occupational Outlook Handbook: Travel Agents | publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics | access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref>
Host Agency Reviews lists employee salaries by compensation structure, listing the 2022 income for travel agents that earn salary + commissions (25% of travel advisor employees) at $88,909, those that earn salary/hourly only at $50,792 (44% of employee travel agents), and commission only travel employees at $21,932 (31%).<ref>{{Cite web|title=2023 Employee Travel Advisor Research Report Summary|url=https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-employee-travel-advisor-research-report-summary-2023|access-date=28 March 2024|website=Host Agency Reviews|date=18 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
However, job prospects should be best for travel agents who specialize in specific destinations or particular types of travelers.
Several reports show that the number of people using travel agents to book travel has been increasing.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Travel-Agent-Popularity-on-the-Rise-Yet-Again | title=Travel Agent Popularity on the Rise Yet Again | first=Richard | last=D'Ambrosio | work=Travel Market Report | date=9 August 2019 | access-date=10 May 2020 | archive-date=8 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608121510/https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Travel-Agent-Popularity-on-the-Rise-Yet-Again | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/21/17879864/travel-agency-millennials-transformative-travel | title=How travel agencies avoided extinction and became a luxury service | first=Aditi | last=Shrikant | work=Vox Media | date=21 September 2018 | access-date=10 May 2020 | archive-date=8 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608120000/https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/21/17879864/travel-agency-millennials-transformative-travel | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=State of the Cruise Industry 2023 |url=https://cruising.org/-/media/clia-media/research/2023/2023-clia-state-of-the-cruise-industry-report_low-res.ashx#page=36|access-date=28 March 2024|website=Cruise Lines International Association|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Travelers Willing to Spend More on Travel, Value the Skills and Knowledge of Travel Advisors |url=https://www.asta.org/about-us/press/pressReleaseDetail/2023/06/01/Research-June-23|access-date=28 March 2024|website=American Society of Travel Advisors|language=en}}</ref>
==See also== {{Sister project links|auto=yes|wikt=travel agency}} * Destination marketing organization * Hotel consolidator * Tour guide * Tour operator * Tourism minister
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Travel Agency}} Category:Travel agencies Category:Airline tickets