How to Start a Travel Agency in the US (2026 Guide)

Executive Summary

There is no federal travel agent licence, but several states regulate sellers of travel. What California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii require, and what else to set up.

1. The travel market in the US

Most new agencies in the US focus on travel advisors & custom trips. Decide early whether you will sell to travellers in United States, design trips in United States for visitors and foreign agents, or both: the answer shapes your licence, suppliers and marketing.

Clients will expect quotations in USD or their own currency, fast replies, and clear terms before they pay.

2. Licences and registration

The US has no federal licence for travel agents, but several states have seller-of-travel laws. Depending on the state, they can apply to agencies located there or selling to residents there, so check the states where your clients live, not only where you are based.

California requires sellers of travel to register with the Attorney General's Seller of Travel Program, disclosing owners and addresses and, where required, a trust account or bond. Florida requires annual registration with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and a performance bond. Washington requires registration under its Sellers of Travel law (RCW 19.138). Hawaii requires travel agencies to register with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and keep a client trust account in Hawaii.

Verification Checklist

States where you are based and where your clients live identified

Seller-of-travel registration filed where required

Trust account or bond arranged where required

Air ticketing route decided (ARC/IATA accreditation, a host agency or a consolidator)

3. Client money, trust and obligations

Many new advisors start with a host agency, which provides supplier contracts and booking tools; you still need to check your own state registration duties.

4. Company, tax and banking

Form your business entity in your state, get an EIN from the IRS, and ask an accountant about state sales tax on travel services, which varies by state.

5. Set up sales and operations

Before the first enquiry arrives, decide how you will capture leads, build quotations, confirm suppliers, invoice and collect payments. For your market, plan these workflows from day one:

Verification Checklist

Client pipeline: every inquiry has a status, an owner and a next follow-up, from first contact to won or lost with a reason.

Proposals clients accept online: share a branded proposal link, see when it was viewed, and let the client accept, decline or request changes.

Supplier payments: record what you owe and pay each supplier per booking, next to the client payments you have received.

6. Launch checklist

Tick these off before you take your first payment in the US.

Verification Checklist

Business entity formed and EIN issued

Seller-of-travel registrations done where required

Client trust account or bond in place where required

Host agency or accreditation chosen

Terms and conditions and payment schedule written

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to be a travel agent in the US?

There is no federal licence, but some states, including California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii, require sellers of travel to register, and some require a trust account or bond.

Can I sell to clients in another state?

Yes, but some seller-of-travel laws apply based on where your customers are, so check the rules for the states you sell into.

Sources

Official pages this guide is based on, checked on 11 October 2026. Rules and fees change: confirm the current requirements with the authority before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice.