If you’ve been curious about becoming a travel agent, chances are you’ve heard some version of these stories: “The internet killed travel agents,” or “You need years of experience to make real money,” or my personal favourite, “It’s just booking holidays for friends and family.”
Here’s the thing. Most of what people think they know about the travel industry is stuck somewhere around 2005. The reality of being a travel agent in 2025 is completely different, and frankly, much more exciting than the myths suggest.
Let me set the record straight on the biggest misconceptions I hear from people considering this path.
TL;DR: The Real Deal
- Myth busted: Travel agents are thriving, not disappearing. The industry hit £8.6 trillion globally in 2024
- Experience myth: Many successful JLT agents started with zero travel background and hit £100K+ in sales within months
- Income reality: It’s not just “pocket money.” Our agents regularly earn £1,000+ monthly, with top performers hitting £10K+ months
- Modern truth: You’re building a real business with professional systems, not just helping mates book Benidorm
Myth 1: “Travel agents are a dying breed”
This one makes me laugh every time I hear it.
Yes, people can book basic flights and hotels online. But here’s what they can’t get: expert advice on that multi-centre honeymoon, someone to sort out their visa requirements, or a real person to call when their flight gets cancelled at 2am.
The numbers don’t lie. In the UK alone, travellers spent over £65 billion on trips abroad in 2024, and £17 billion of that went through travel agents. That’s not a dying industry. That’s a thriving one.
What’s actually happened is the industry has evolved. Today’s travel agents aren’t sitting in high street shops waiting for walk-ins. We’re running flexible businesses from our laptops, building personal brands, and serving clients who want expertise, not just booking platforms.
At JLT, our 400+ agents have generated over £15 million in sales since January 2025. These aren’t agents desperately clinging to the past. They’re entrepreneurs building modern travel businesses.
Myth 2: “You need years of experience to succeed”
This might be the biggest myth of all, and it stops so many people from even trying.
Look at our agent stories. Megan had no travel background and booked over £100K in her first five months. Ammaar hit £30K in bookings before he’d even officially launched his business. Catherine went from complete beginner to £100K in sales in just three months.
What they had wasn’t years of experience. They had the right training, the right systems, and the right support. That’s what makes the difference.
Our comprehensive training academy covers everything you need to know, from understanding ATOL protection to building dynamic packages. The modules take about three weeks to complete at your own pace, and you’re supported every step of the way.
The travel industry actually benefits from fresh perspectives. Some of our most successful agents came from completely different careers: NHS workers, teachers, accountants, even barristers. They brought their existing skills and applied them to travel.
Myth 3: “It’s just a hobby for booking cheap holidays”
This one drives me mad because it undermines what travel agents actually do.
Yes, you get access to agent rates for your own travel (and they’re brilliant). But if you’re thinking this is just about getting discounts, you’re missing the point entirely.
Our agents are running legitimate businesses. They’re advising clients on complex itineraries, managing group bookings worth tens of thousands, and building trusted relationships that generate repeat business year after year.
Take Harri, who’s booked over 100 holidays totalling £250K+ in nine months. Or Brett, who specialises in luxury honeymoons and has built a business that complements his wife’s bridal hair business. These aren’t hobbies. These are serious, profitable enterprises.
The key difference is having the right platform. JLT agents operate under their own brand names, with access to 200+ suppliers, live booking systems, and professional support. You’re not just someone who books holidays. You’re a business owner.
Myth 4: “You’ll only make pocket money”
Let’s talk real numbers.
Our agents regularly earn £1,000+ per month, with many hitting much higher figures. The commission split at JLT is 80/20 in your favour, which is industry-leading. Plus, we pay commissions before travel dates, not after, so you’re not waiting months for your money.
But here’s what really determines your income: the margin you set and the type of travel you specialise in. You control your pricing. You choose your niche. You decide how much to grow.
Some agents treat this as a side business alongside other commitments. Others, like several of our top performers, have made it their full-time career. The potential is there if you want to pursue it.
The “pocket money” myth usually comes from people who joined the wrong kind of setup or didn’t have proper support. With the right training and systems, this can absolutely be a proper income stream.
Myth 5: “It’s too complicated with all the regulations”
I get it. ATOL, ABTA, PTS, travel insurance, dynamic packaging. It sounds overwhelming when you’re looking at it from the outside.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to become a legal expert overnight. You need to understand the basics and have proper support for everything else.
At JLT, agents operate under our ATOL licence and PTS protection. Our training covers all the compliance essentials in plain English, not legal jargon. And our support team is always available for questions.
The regulations exist to protect travellers, which is actually a good thing for agents. When clients know their booking is ATOL protected and their money is safe, they’re much more likely to book with you instead of taking risks with unknown online operators.
Why This Matters
These myths don’t just spread misinformation. They stop people from exploring what could be a genuinely life-changing career path.
The travel industry in 2025 offers something rare: the chance to build a flexible business around your lifestyle, help people create amazing memories, and earn a proper income doing something you enjoy.
But only if you ignore the outdated myths and focus on the current reality.
Every successful JLT agent started by questioning these assumptions and taking that first step. They discovered that with the right support, training, and community, building a travel business isn’t just possible – it’s genuinely rewarding.
