Are you interested in turning your passion for travel into a rewarding career? Becoming a travel agent in Hawai'i allows you to build a fulfilling business and flexible income by booking travel. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to becoming a travel agent in Hawai'i, from getting started to building a successful business.
First things first. What is a travel agent?
Travel agents earn money by planning trips. They work with clients to understand their vacation needs and handle all the travel arrangements, including planning activities and booking accommodations.
What are the requirements to become a travel agent in Hawai'i?
Legal requirements for travel advisors
The main legal requirement to become a travel agent in Hawai'i is that you will need an IATA number, a unique identifier that allows a travel agency to conduct business. Most travel advisors choose a host agency (a business that provides support and resources to independent travel agents or small travel agencies). If you’re working with a host agency, the host agency provides access to the IATA number. In the state of Hawai'i, aspiring travel agents must obtain a "Seller of Travel" license through the state of Hawai'i. This Hawai'i seller of travel registration is required (as are licenses for travel agents in Florida and California). Check your state government website for more information.
Certification & education
Becoming a travel agent in Hawai'i does not require a formal travel agent certification or accreditation from a certificate program (such as Certified Travel Associates). Nor is a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma required. However, travel agent certification is highly encouraged.
How to become a travel agent in Hawai'i
1) Understand the role: As a travel agent in Hawai'i, you plan and book travel for clients, from booking flights and accommodations to organizing activities and excursions. You can book trips of all types, to destinations all over the world. You can also leverage your local knowledge to plan trips to your home state—foodie tours of Waikiki, Hawaiian culture discovery in Lanai—using your insider intel on travel to Hawai'i. Whether you’re most familiar with the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Honolulu, or the Big Island, your local intel will be valuable. Once you understand the basics of the role and are ready to dive in, you’ll want to get the right support and training. Learn more about how to become a travel agent.
2) Find the right host agency: In most cases, an independent travel agent in Hawai'i will work with a host agency. A host agency provides resources to travel agents, including access to booking systems and partner programs, marketing support, and training. A host agency also provides agents with an IATA number, allowing them to earn commission on the travel they book.
3) Participate in a training program: Once you choose a host agency, you’ll complete a training program that covers the fundamentals of running a travel advisor business—from client service and itinerary planning to booking tools and supplier relationships. Programs can combine live or guided training with recorded sessions, and some agencies offer ongoing education such as advanced certifications, destination trainings, and supplier-led sessions to support continued growth.
How do I earn money as a travel agent in Hawai'i?
As a travel agent in Hawai'i, partners (like hotels and cruise lines) pay agents commissions for travel bookings. Commission rates vary depending on the partner. Travel agents are eligible to earn commission on any type of travel experiences, though many agents focus on 3-star or higher hotels, along with villas, cruises, and tour operators. You can also earn money through planning fees. Learn more about how travel agents get paid.
As an independent travel advisor, you’ll have a flexible schedule for earning. Whether you’re home-based or traveling, or if you’re working full-time or part-time, you can set your travel agent job schedule to whatever aligns best with your lifestyle.
How do I grow my business as a travel agent in Hawai'i?
Build your client base: As a travel agent, this is where creativity and customer service skills come in. Clients can be found via your personal network, often starting with your friends and family. You may decide to leverage email marketing and social media to showcase your services and attract clients. Learn more about how travel advisors can build their book of business.
Network: You can also attend travel industry events, trade shows, and conferences to network with other travel professionals to level up your knowledge and build your travel advisor business.
More FAQs about becoming a travel agent in Hawai'i
Where do travel agents work? How can I become a travel agent from home?
Some travel agents in the tourism industry work in an office, but independent travel agents can often work from anywhere. To get started, all you need is a passion for travel, a WiFi connection and a can-do attitude—and a few potential clients in your network doesn’t hurt either.
What types of travel can I book?
When starting your travel business, some advisors focus solely on booking hotels, while others offer full itinerary planning for domestic and international travel, including on-the-ground experiences (tours, activities, transportation…). In addition to hotels, advisors can book villas, cruises, yacht charters, vacation packages, all-inclusives, car rentals, travel insurance, private aviation, and room blocks (for example, a destination wedding room block). Learn more about the types of bookings you can make.
Where do travel advisors book trips to?
Everywhere. Travel advisors book trips all over the world—from classic destinations like Italy and the Caribbean to places like Costa Rica, Australia, and even more remote locations. No destination is off-limits. Training programs typically cover a wide range of travel planning styles, including international travel, cruises, luxury trips, and destination-specific deep dives, giving advisors the tools to plan confidently across many regions and travel types.
What kinds of travel partnerships does Fora have?
Established host agencies typically maintain long-standing relationships across the travel industry, giving advisors access to preferred partnerships with thousands of hotels worldwide. These partnerships often unlock added perks such as room upgrades, daily breakfast, and hotel credits at top properties. Many host agencies are also part of respected global luxury travel networks and work with a mix of high-end luxury brands and independent boutique hotels, allowing advisors to book a wide range of stays through integrated booking platforms.
How do advisors get paid?
Travel advisors are typically paid through commissions on their clients’ trips, most often from hotel and travel bookings. Commissions generally range from 5–10% of the total booking value, though this can vary by partner and type of travel. Many advisors also choose to charge a planning or consultation fee, either instead of or in addition to commissions.
Some host agencies provide backend support to track, collect, and reconcile commissions, so advisors don’t have to manage that process on their own and can focus on serving clients and growing their business.
Building a travel career on your own terms
Becoming a travel agent in Hawai‘i offers flexibility, creative freedom, and the opportunity to build a business rooted in your passion for travel. With the right host agency, training, and client focus, it’s a career path that can grow alongside your lifestyle and goals.
