How to Become a Travel Agent in Texas: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking about becoming a travel agent in Texas? Whether you're looking for a flexible side hustle or a full-time career helping others explore the world, becoming a travel advisor is more accessible than ever, especially with the rise of home-based franchise opportunities.

Texas is one of the most active travel markets in the U.S., and thousands of people across the state are turning their passion for travel into a rewarding business. The best part? You don’t need prior industry experience to get started.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to become a travel agent in Texas, including licensing requirements, training options and how Cruise Planners can help you launch your agency from the comfort of your own home.

What Does a Travel Agent Do?

At a high level, travel agents help clients plan and book travel experiences — everything from cruises and all-inclusive resorts to group tours and custom itineraries. But their role goes far beyond just booking trips.

Travel agents act as personal advisors, using industry knowledge, supplier relationships and booking tools to create seamless, cost-effective travel plans. They handle research, reservations and offer support before, during and after a trip, saving clients time and stress.

How Do Travel Agents Work? 

Most earn money through commissions paid by travel suppliers like cruise lines, hotels and tour operators. Some also charge service fees for planning or consultation. Agents can work independently, under a host agency or as part of a franchise like Cruise Planners, which offers added support, tools and training to help them succeed.

Travel Agent Requirements in Texas

If you’re considering a travel career, the good news is that Texas makes it easy to get started. There are no formal education requirements and no state-mandated licensing to become a travel agent. That means the legal and industry barriers are low, but success still depends on what you bring to the table.

To thrive as a travel advisor, you’ll need more than a love of travel. The most successful agents are:

• Self-motivated and organized
• Comfortable talking with people and asking the right questions
• Detail-oriented with good follow-through
• Able to learn new tech systems and tools quickly
• Passionate about creating great client experiences

You’ll also want to decide whether to start independently, join a host agency or buy into a franchise model like Cruise Planners, which provides training, business tools and back-office support to help you get up and running quickly.

Do You Need a Travel Agent License in Texas?

No, Texas does not require a travel agent license. That makes it an attractive place to start your travel business without jumping through red tape.

That said, a few states do have what are called Seller of Travel (SOT) laws, including California, Florida, Hawaii and Washington. If you plan to book travel for residents in these states, you may need to register with their respective seller of travel programs. This is one area where working with a franchise like Cruise Planners gives you peace of mind. We help our franchisees stay compliant with all applicable travel laws, regardless of where their clients live.

How to Become a Travel Agent from Home in Texas

You don’t need an office or a storefront to become a successful travel agent. With the right tools and structure, you can launch and grow your agency entirely from home. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started in Texas:

1. Decide on Your Business Structure

First, decide how you want to enter the travel industry. There are three common paths:

• Independent agent: You build everything yourself, including supplier relationships, marketing, booking platforms and legal setup. While this gives you total control, it also means you’re starting from scratch, without guidance or industry leverage.
• Host agency: You operate under another agency’s accreditation. You may get access to preferred supplier rates, back-office support and a booking system, but marketing, branding and training often fall on your shoulders.
• Franchise: You own your business, but benefit from built-in technology, training, marketing tools and a recognizable brand. This model is ideal for someone who wants to work from home but doesn’t want to figure everything out alone.

2. Register Your Business

Even though Texas doesn’t require a special license for travel agents, you’ll still need to set up your business legally. Here's what that involves:

• Choose a business name: Make sure it’s unique and easy to remember!
• Register your business entity: Most home-based agents form an LLC for liability protection. You can register online through the Texas Secretary of State.
• Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number): It’s free through the IRS website, and you’ll need it for taxes and bank accounts.
• Open a business bank account: Keep your finances clean and separate from your personal funds.

3. Get Training and Certification

While Texas doesn’t mandate formal travel agent training, professional education sets you apart and helps you work confidently with clients and suppliers. Starting with the right foundation can mean the difference between struggling and thriving, especially when you're working from home.

If you join Cruise Planners, you’ll get access to STAR University, our in-depth, weeklong training program held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Designed for all franchise levels, STAR combines classroom learning, business-building workshops and hands-on training with our proprietary tools. Your hotel accommodations are included, along with all breakfasts, lunches, most dinners and ground transportation to and from ship inspections scheduled throughout the week. 

STAR gives you the knowledge and confidence to sell cruises, group travel, land packages and excursions, making it easier to match clients with the right experience.

And if Disney is your passion, Cruise Planners’ exclusive Disney Enhanced Partnership Program gives you even more opportunity to stand out. This advanced program offers insider training, proven marketing strategies and a Disney Specialist designation complete with a digital certificate and a dedicated Disney page on your personal website.

You can also explore additional travel advisor certifications through:

• The Travel Institute (CTA, CTC)
• CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)
• ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors)

4. Set Up Your Home Office

You don’t need a fancy setup, but you do need a space that’s reliable and professional. A quiet, organized space also helps you focus and maintain boundaries if you’re working around family or other home obligations.

A solid home office includes:

• High-speed internet: You’ll be on supplier portals, Zoom calls and working with web-based systems daily.
• Laptop or desktop computer: Preferably something you can dedicate to your business.
• Business phone line or VoIP system: Keeps communication professional and separate from personal calls.
• Access to key tools: Cruise Planners provides a full tech stack: CRM, booking engine, email marketing, website and more, so you’re ready to work from day one.

5. Choose a Niche

Choosing a niche is one of the best ways to grow faster and stand out as a home-based travel advisor. Instead of trying to serve every type of traveler, you focus your efforts on a specific type of client or travel experience.

The right niche makes it easier to speak to your audience, earn referrals and build lasting supplier relationships. You don’t have to choose a niche right away, but starting with one can help you build momentum quickly.

A strong travel niche usually checks at least a few of these boxes:

• You’re personally passionate about it (you’ll be spending a lot of time talking about it!)
• There’s steady or growing demand in the market
• Clients are willing to spend on premium experiences
• It leads to repeat or referral business
• Suppliers offer solid commission and support for agents

Need help deciding what to specialize in? Download our free e-book, How to Choose YOUR Perfect Travel Niche!

6. Market Your Business and Book Your First Clients

Once your business is set up and training is done, it’s time to focus on getting the word out and bringing in clients.

Start by identifying your natural network — friends, family, coworkers and local connections. Let them know you’re now a travel advisor and open for business. Don’t worry if you don’t have a big following. Many Cruise Planners advisors start with just a few warm leads and grow from there.

To help you market consistently and professionally, Cruise Planners provides:

• A mobile-friendly, fully branded website
• Ready-to-use email campaigns and social media content
• Print materials, digital ads and client communication templates
• Access to a full-time marketing team for design, automation and strategy support

Once you start generating interest, you’ll be ready to turn leads into bookings. Thanks to Cruise Planners’ preferred relationships with top cruise lines, tour operators, resorts and travel suppliers, you’ll have access to competitive pricing and exclusive offers that help close the sale.

Many advisors book their first trip within the first few weeks of launching. With the right mix of training, tools and support, you can too.

Is Being a Travel Agent Worth It in 2025?

Being a travel agent in 2025 offers more opportunity than ever, thanks to the rebound of global travel, the growth of home-based business models and the increasing demand for expert guidance in a world of overwhelming online options.

Still, it’s not a get-rich-quick gig. Success takes time, consistency and relationship-building. But for the right person, the rewards are more than financial.

Why agents say it’s worth it:

• You work from anywhere. Set your schedule, work in your PJs, take client calls from a beach resort if you want to.
• You get paid to talk about travel. You’re helping people plan their dream experiences — and earning commissions along the way.
• You tap into exclusive perks. Family trips, discounted travel and insider access are part of the job.
• You’re building something that’s yours. Unlike a traditional job, this is your business, your brand, your client base.

If you’re motivated, organized and service-minded, being a travel advisor can absolutely be worth it, personally, professionally and financially.

Why Choose a Travel Franchise Like Cruise Planners

There are a lot of ways to get into the travel industry, but not all paths offer the same level of support, tools or long-term potential.

Cruise Planners gives you the freedom of running your own business, backed by the structure of a proven franchise model. It’s the best of both worlds: you’re in charge of your goals and your schedule, but you’re never left figuring things out alone.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Built-in training and support from day one, including STAR University
• Award-winning marketing tools to help you grow fast and look professional
• An all-in-one tech platform for CRM, booking, invoicing and automation
• Top-tier supplier relationships that give you access to better pricing and commission
• A supportive community of fellow franchisees to learn from and lean on

Whether you’re starting from scratch or switching careers, Cruise Planners gives you the head start you need and the staying power to turn your business into something meaningful.

Ready to Start Your Travel Business in Texas?

If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re serious about building a travel business you can run from home, and Cruise Planners is here to help you do it right.

Your next step is simple: Watch our free 15-minute video walkthrough. You’ll see how Cruise Planners helps new franchise owners launch flexible, home-based businesses with no prior travel experience needed.

In this short video, you’ll learn:

• How to earn income selling cruises, tours, all-inclusive resorts and more
• The proprietary tools, apps and AI that simplify your day-to-day
• What support really looks like: personal coaching, training and marketing included
• How much flexibility you have to work from anywhere, part-time or full-time
• What’s included in your investment and how affordable it really is

Once you’re ready to get started, simply reach out to connect with a Franchise Development Manager. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through the details and help you decide if Cruise Planners is the right fit for your goals.

Let’s turn your passion for travel into a business you love!