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What if I told you your corporate career already gave you everything you need to succeed in luxury travel?
No tourism degree. No past bookings. No years in a storefront agency. Just real-world experience and the drive to do something of your own. If you're coming from a successful career in sales, education, healthcare, or leadership, and you're ready to build a business that blends purpose and passion, this is for you.
Here’s how to turn the skills you already have into a thriving travel business—with clients who trust your expertise and happily pay for it.
Translate your corporate skills into travel gold.
Let’s call it what it is: you’ve managed big personalities, tight timelines, vendor contracts, and way-too-many Zoom calls.
Now apply it.
- Project management = building complex itineraries
- Client communication = high-touch service for luxury travelers
- Vendor relations = supplier partnerships
- Budget ownership = trip pricing and profit margins
Luxury clients don’t want someone who “likes to travel.” They want a professional who can handle details, make decisions, and deliver on high expectations. That’s you.
Your professionalism is your niche.
One of the biggest myths in travel? That your personal travel style defines your business. It doesn’t. What sets successful advisors apart is how they run the business, not how often they stamp their passport.
When you apply the same discipline you used in your last role—processes, time boundaries, client management—you stand out. Especially in the luxury space, where clients want concierge-level service with the efficiency of an executive assistant.
Find a focus that actually fits your background.
You don’t have to sell every destination or supplier under the sun.
Start where your expertise lives.
- Former event planner? You could own group travel.
- Healthcare pro? Wellness retreats or accessible travel.
- Marketing leader? Design high-concept, high-touch travel experiences.
The more specific you are, the easier it is to market yourself and to attract the right kind of clients.
Don’t go it alone—get the right support.
Starting solo sounds brave. But it's a fast way to burn out. At Uniglobe Travel Center, we give you one-on-one mentorship, business coaching, vetted supplier access, and plug-and-play tools to run your agency like a pro.
You’ll get help with:
- Charging professional fees (yes, from day one)
- Vetting and using luxury suppliers
- Setting up systems and workflows
- Growing at a pace that fits your goals
You don’t have to learn through mistakes. We’ll show you how to get it right the first time.
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The data backs it up: this path works.
According to Host Agency Reviews, 93% of new advisors choose to work with a host agency. Hosted advisors made an average of $52,284 in income last year, and many reported strong growth after just one to three years in business.
The ones who succeed the fastest? They treat it like a real business—and surround themselves with the right tools and people.
5 Ways to Know You’re Ready to Become a Luxury Travel Advisor
For driven professionals who are ready to turn their skills into something of their own
1. You’re done chasing someone else’s goals.
You’ve had a solid career. Maybe even a great one. But now, you're ready to build something that’s yours. Something that reflects your values and gives you more flexibility, control, and purpose.
2. You’ve got professional skills that transfer.
You’ve managed teams, budgets, vendors, or high-pressure clients. You know how to keep things moving, juggle deadlines, and build relationships. Those skills are exactly what successful luxury advisors use every day.
3. You’re the planner in your group.
Friends and family already ask you where to go, what to book, and how to make it special. You genuinely love the details—and you know how to turn a good trip into a great one.
4. You want to work with high-value clients, not bargain hunters.
You’re not here to book $499 cruises and hope for tips. You’re interested in working with clients who respect your time, value your knowledge, and are willing to pay for quality service.
5. You’re not just looking for a hobby—you’re building a business.
You want something real. That means structure, systems, mentorship, and income. You’re willing to learn, but you’re also smart enough to know: you don’t need to do it alone.
If you checked 3 or more of these boxes… you might be ready.
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My story? I tried to wing it. Don't make that mistake.
When I started, I thought, “I'm smart, I'll figure this out.” And I did, but it was a lot harder (and more expensive) than it needed to be. What changed everything was getting real support from people who had built businesses like the one I wanted.
Now, I help others do the same. With mentorship, supplier strategies, and real-world business coaching—not just hype.
Next step? Let's talk.
If you’re ready to bring your professional background into the luxury travel space, and want to do it the right way—let’s connect.
Let’s see if Uniglobe Travel Center is the right fit for what you’re building.
About the Author
April Swales is a passionate advocate for today’s travel advisor. At Uniglobe Travel Center, she leads with a focus on mentorship, education, and meaningful collaboration—empowering entrepreneurs to build strong, sustainable businesses. April’s commitment to professionalism and shared success reflects UTC’s mission: to elevate the role of the travel advisor and drive long-term industry impact. Through her work, she helps advisors turn their love of travel into rewarding, purpose-driven careers.
About Uniglobe Travel Center
Uniglobe Travel Center (UTC) is dedicated to helping independent travel advisors succeed at every stage of their journey. Our customized programs offer competitive commissions, strategic business coaching, and expert support in sales and marketing—all designed to meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.
With nearly 250 years of combined team experience, we provide the tools, guidance, and personal support you need to grow with confidence. For over 29 years, UTC has proudly carried the Uniglobe brand, serving as a trusted host agency for professionals who are serious about building a travel business they’re proud of.
Let us help you build the foundation, community, and career you’ve been looking for.
Source details:
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Travel Agent Income Survey
Host Agency Reviews (HAR) conducts an annual survey of travel advisors, which is widely cited in the industry for its comprehensive data on hosted, independent, and employee travel advisors. The survey covers topics like income, fees, business growth, and new advisor trends 9 4. -
93% of new advisors choose a host agency:
This specific statistic is regularly highlighted in HAR’s survey results and summary articles, reflecting the overwhelming preference among new entrants to affiliate with a host for support and resources 9. -
Average income of $52,284 for hosted advisors:
This figure is published in the most recent HAR income survey results and infographics, which break down average earnings for different advisor segments, including hosted advisors 9. -
Strong growth after 1–3 years:
HAR’s survey and summary reports often note that many new-to-industry advisors report significant business growth and increasing income within their first three years, based on self-reported data and year-over-year comparisons in the survey 4 9.
