More and more people are catching the travel bug and using their dreams of exploring the world to create profitable businesses. Whether you’re planning on landing firmly in one country or constantly on the move, there are plenty of business opportunities out there for travel lovers. From becoming a travel agent to teaching your language to tourists, here are some of the best business ideas for international jet-setters.
Travel Agent
Being a travel agent is often considered one of the most profitable business models for those passionate about travelling. As a travel agent, you get to work directly with clients, helping them to plan and book trips, while getting access to exclusive discounts and promotions. The hours are flexible, particularly if you choose to be self-employed and it allows you to develop relationships with clients and build up recommendations.
You don’t need to have any formal qualifications to work as a travel agent, although it can be advantageous to have knowledge of different booking and reservation systems.
Teach English as a Second Language
English is the language of international communication and there’s always a demand for teachers who can help people learn the language in preparation for assignments or business trips overseas. If you’re able to teach English as a second language, you can take your teaching on the road, or even teach online.
Normally you’ll need to hold a degree in English or linguistics and a teaching certificate, such as a TEFL or CELTA qualification, in order to teach the language to non-native speakers. In certain countries, such as China, you may also need to get a work permit in order to be legally employed.
Licensed Tour Guide
Another great business opportunity for those looking to combine their love of travel and business is to become a licensed tour guide. Working as a tour guide is a great way to meet people, learn and share new knowledge, as well as make contacts and explore the country.
To become a licensed tour guide, you’ll need to take a preparation course and pass an examination. Some countries will also restrict foreign citizens from taking on this role, so you may need to research the regulations and restrictions before applying.
Travel Blog/Online Marketing
One of the best business ideas for travel lovers is to start a travel blog and use it as a platform to generate an income online. With a few thousand visitors per month, you can easily monetize it through affiliate marketing, sponsored content and selling advertising space and products.
You’ll need a strong understanding of affiliate marketing, SEO and social media management, in order to make it a success, but with a blog, you have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world and earn an income while travelling.
Freelance Writing
If you’re an excellent writer with a passion for travelling, then freelance writing may be a great option for you. There’s plenty of demand for travel writers, from publications looking for writers to cover certain regions or create travel guides, to websites creating content for their blogs or social media accounts.
Freelance writing is a great source of income for those with the necessary skills, or those who are willing to learn how to write content that is optimized for search engine algorithms.
Travel Photography
If you’ve got an eye for capturing the best sights of a country, why not use it to your advantage and make money from travel photography? The internet is full of high-quality images and the best images are usually the ones taken by professional photographers.
As a travel photographer, you can share high-quality images to stock image sites, make prints of your work to sell online or locally, or even enter them into competitions to win prizes.
Tourism Consultant
Tourism consultants work with a variety of companies, from airlines and airports, to hotels and travel agents, to help them promote their travel business and improve customer experiences. As a tourism consultant, it’s likely you’ll be travelling a lot, working with clients across some amazing destinations.
You’ll need to be able to understand the needs of customers, use marketing and design techniques to create materials that promote business, and understand the industry regulations in different countries.
Travelling doesn’t have to be just a hobby; it can also be a great way to generate a successful business. By making the most of your knowledge, skills, contacts and enthusiasm for travel, you can use your love of exploration to create a career that could take you all over the world. From teaching English to being a tour guide or writing about travel, there are plenty of business ideas for travel lovers.
