For the past five years, the National Travel Agent Survey has been a trusted barometer of the Canadian travel industry, providing valuable year-over-year insights into the work lifestyle, product focus, and income opportunities of travel agents nationwide.
This year, the survey was focused only on home-based or independent contractors. Over 700 shared their expertise, challenges, and opportunities in today’s evolving market.
The National Travel Agent Survey was conducted by Rob Glennie Consulting on behalf of The Travel Agent Next Door, with the goal of providing valuable insights into the evolving role of travel agents in the Canadian market.
Growing number of home based are high earners
The National Home-Based / Hosted Travel Agent Survey reveals a growing tier of high-performing independent advisors driving serious sales volume.
For years, the perception of home-based travel advisors has been tied to flexibility and lifestyle. But new data from the National Home-Based / Hosted Travel Agent Survey tells a bigger story — one defined by scale, performance, and enterprise-level results.
The survey reveals a powerful reality: some of the industry’s highest-producing travel professionals are operating as home-based, hosted independent contractors, building businesses that rival — and often outperform — traditional models.
A Serious Business Segment
The numbers are clear. This is not a small-business niche — it is a high-performing sales engine.
According to the survey:
- 43.2% of respondents report $250K+ in annual commissionable sales
- 29.9% operate at $500K+
- A standout 15.2% are achieving $1M+ in annual sales
These results demonstrate that home-based advisors are not only participating in the industry — they are driving meaningful volume and revenue.
One of the most striking insights from the survey is the emergence of a new type of advisor: the high-volume independent professional who runs a major business without a storefront.
For these advisors, working from home is not about limiting growth — it’s about removing barriers.
Freed from traditional overhead and rigid structures, high performers are investing their time and resources where it matters most — client relationships, specialization, and smart marketing strategies.
Why High Earners Choose Hosted Models
The survey suggests that high production is not happening despite the hosted model — it’s happening because of it.
Hosted environments provide advisors with access to:
- Advanced technology and booking tools
- Marketing support and automation
- Supplier relationships and negotiated programs
- Training and professional community
- Operational and administrative infrastructure
This combination allows advisors to focus on selling while operating with the support of enterprise-level systems.
A New Benchmark for Success
What the survey reveals is simple but significant: home-based advisors are not just participating in the industry’s growth — they are setting new benchmarks for what success looks like.
As the travel landscape continues to evolve, the model that combines independence with strong host infrastructure is emerging as one of the most scalable and sustainable ways to build a high-performing travel business.
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