It is always better to have a registered business, it will give your travel agency a legal identity and you will be in a better position. Registration will also help you to negotiate best deals with travel service providers so that you can offer best fares and tariffs to your customers. However there are some special requirements like if you want to issue air tickets yourself then your travel agency must be registered with IATA.

You also has an option to start an online travel web site that you can manage from your home. Jusy Buy a white label solution. This way you will have a website very similar to online travel agencies. You will have your own branding but the technology will be provided to you at a very nominal fee or sometimes free of charge. You only have to market it and manage back office from your home. Big brands like Expedia can provide you this kind of web site. You will have the ability to sell online air tickets, hotels and tour packages.

Thanks all for replying to my post. I have check most the online travel website. They all have to register Sell of Travel with different state for instance:onetravel.com/travel/terms-conditions.asp#SELLER or expedia.com/daily/service/legal.asp Any suggestion? Thanks GreenH ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

Thanks for the response   If I own a private firm (agency) what state do I need to register with?   ThanksGreenH

Do I need to register with Sell of Travel with other states if I have a travel website and sell the ticket online?   Thanks   GH

I think it is mandatory to get the licence from the authority where you are living. And i have referred many sites and all I have seen is you should have the licence to become authorized travel agency. Regards, Samuel Chicago mover ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

California requires all sellers of travel to register with the Attorney General's Office and to display the registration number on all advertising. You can read more at the state of California's Attorney General website, http://www.ag.ca.gov/travel/

It is required to register with Travel of Sell with California state, and also with other states (if the state requires) if you do it online?   Thanks   GreenH

Quick suggestion - find you local SCORE office and ask them what you need.  They work in your state and understand the specific requirements of that state - they are free to use.   Plus, does not seem like a bad thing to register with the Travel Sellers - might add some legitimacy to your business for your customers.

Where is your business located? Some states require that travel businesses register in a Travel Sellers program, but not all do. You will also have to acquire other standard license and permits, such as a tax permit. You can see the links that Jamie provided below for more details. Let us know where you are operating your business and we'll look into your state's rules. There's also a similar conversation in the Community that may provide additoinal insight: Question about the travel industry