Vacation Industry Statistics: Owning a Travel Agency in 2024

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The travel industry is booming – for more and more Americans, vacations are becoming an expectation rather than a luxury. The manner of trips people take is diversifying as well – with travelers embarking upon adventures to the far corners of the earth, eager to add new experiences to their bucket lists. 

There are many reasons why people travel in today’s world, whether venturing overseas for a monumental concert tour, wellness retreat, food-focused experience or simply to see the world as much as their work-from-home schedule allows. So, what better time to look into owning a travel agency? Read on to discover how the vacation industry statistics point to now as the best time to get started and the reasons why you should consider launching your own travel business. 

The State of the Travel Industry 

As we delve deeper into the second half of the year, 2024 travel trends have already emerged—and the results may surprise you. 

American Express Travel has identified key travel trends in its 2024 Global Travel Trends Report. Of the travelers surveyed for the report, 84% say they will spend the same amount or more on travel this year as they did in 2023. Additional, 89% reveal that they turn to “travel hacks” to save money, which is music to the ears of those who own travel agencies, as they are leading experts on how to find the best vacation value.  

Another interesting component of the report is the fact that both significant, detailed vacations and smaller, staycation-style trips are becoming increasingly popular. More than 70% of people say they would rather save money to travel than use it to go out with friends while 58% of Millennials and Gen-Z travelers say that they’d prefer the help of a travel agent or advisor when planning a large-scale vacation. 

Additionally, a report from the World Travel & Tourism Council released in spring of 2024 states that domestic tourism in the United States increased by 7% in 2023, generating a record $2.36 trillion in the travel sector. Excitement of current vacation industry statistics doesn’t end there – with 656,000 new jobs added (and 18 million nationwide in all) the travel industry now makes up more than 11% of the U.S. job market. 

Consider developing your skills in business hospitality and tourism management to become a part of this ever-growing industry, thanks to the support and resources provided by becoming a Dream Vacations Franchise Owner! 

Why You Should Start a Travel Agency 

There are a number of reasons to own a Dream Vacations home-based travel agency franchise. For starters, it is one of the least expensive franchises to own. There is very little overhead, earnings are commission-based and, with Dream Vacations, you can get started for as low as $3,500 down – even less if you have prior travel industry experience! 

Anyone who loves to travel will enjoy owning their own travel agency, as it means you’re able to explore the world as well. Whether you jet set to research different locales for your clients, to connect with other business owners or to develop your skills, traveling is all a part of the job. Our franchise community can access exclusive travel discounts to explore the world and become experts in a variety of vacation products. Additionally, the flexible schedule makes it easier than ever to travel on your own. You can work from anywhere and determine your own hours to ensure you get to fully experience whichever destination you’re visiting. 

Owning a travel agency with Dream Vacations is the way to go, as the company also provides its business owners with the necessary franchise resources to offer the best chance at success. 

Start Your Journey Today 

You may be wondering, how do I become a franchise owner? It’s easy, and now is the best time to get started! 

The vacation industry statistics tell an incredible story: Now is the best possible time to establish your own home-based travel agency. Dream Vacations has all of the necessary tools to help you on your journey and the support to ensure you can be as successful as your aspirations take you. Take the first step in your travel franchise career by registering for our free webinar or by reaching out at 800-892-3928 to talk with the Dream Vacations team today.