Books and Resources to Start Strong
Reading from experienced travel professionals will accelerate your learning curve and help you avoid costly mistakes. These books cover the business side, customer psychology, and practical operations that every travel planner should understand.
The Business of Travel by Travel Institute
This foundational text covers the travel industry structure, regulations, and business models you need to operate legally. You’ll learn about IATA standards, supplier relationships, and how commissions work across different travel segments. Essential reading before you book your first client trip.
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Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Negotiation skills are central to travel planning—you negotiate with hotels, airlines, and clients over pricing and arrangements. Voss’s techniques for active listening and identifying client priorities will directly improve your ability to close bookings and resolve conflicts. Applicable to every client conversation.
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Destination Unknown by Peter Greenberg
Written by a veteran travel journalist, this book explores how to uncover authentic travel experiences and develop destination knowledge that clients can’t find online. Your credibility depends on offering insights beyond what a search engine returns, and this book teaches you how to think like an insider.
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The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
A practical guide to launching a lean business with minimal overhead. Travel planning is naturally low-cost to start, but Guillebeau’s framework for testing your business model and finding early customers will help you validate your niche before investing heavily in marketing.
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Equipment You Need
Travel planning is not equipment-heavy, but you do need reliable tools for communication, booking management, itinerary creation, and client relations. Most can be purchased affordably or accessed through subscription services.
Computer and Peripherals
- Laptop (Windows or Mac): The core of your business for emails, bookings, research, and client communication. You’ll run multiple browser tabs and software simultaneously, so at least 8GB RAM and an SSD are important.
- External monitor: A second screen increases productivity when comparing flights, hotels, and itinerary details side-by-side.
- Wireless mouse and keyboard: Reduces strain during long research and planning sessions.
- Webcam and microphone: Essential for client consultations, virtual meetings, and building trust remotely.
Phone and Mobile Tools
- Smartphone: For staying connected to clients, accessing booking confirmations on the go, and using travel apps like Skyscanner, Google Maps, and hotel apps during client trips.
- Phone stand: Keeps your phone visible during video calls and client consultations.
- Portable charger: Backup power for your phone during travel with clients or long workdays.
Office Furniture and Setup
- Desk: A dedicated workspace separates work from home life and improves professionalism during video calls. Minimum 48 inches wide to accommodate laptop, monitor, and reference materials.
- Ergonomic chair: You’ll spend 6-8 hours daily at your desk. A quality chair prevents back strain and neck pain.
- Desk lamp: Reduces eye strain during research and keeps your face well-lit on video calls.
- Filing cabinet or storage shelves: Organize client documents, contracts, and reference materials.
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Software and Subscriptions
- Booking management software (Travefy, TravelJoy, or similar): Centralizes client itineraries, supplier bookings, and communication. Most offer 30-day free trials.
- Project management tool (Asana, Monday.com, or Notion): Tracks client projects, deadlines, and follow-ups. Free tiers exist for solo planners.
- Email service (Gmail Pro or Outlook): Professional email address and calendar management for client coordination.
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive): Backup and access client files from anywhere. 100GB plans cost under $5 monthly.
- CRM system (HubSpot Free, Pipedrive): Manages leads, tracks client interactions, and automates follow-ups.
- Video conferencing (Zoom, Google Meet): Free tiers work initially; upgraded plans under $15 monthly if needed.
Travel Research Tools
- Skyscanner or Google Flights account: Free tools for flight research and price alerts. No purchase needed.
- TripAdvisor and Viator accounts: Free for researching activities, restaurants, and reading reviews.
- Kayak or Hopper account: Free for hotel and flight price monitoring.
- Passport: Required if you travel with clients or attend destination familiarization trips. Budget $130-200 for initial passport.
Marketing and Branding
- Business cards: 500 printed cards from Vistaprint or Minted cost $15-30. Essential for networking.
- Website domain: $12-15 annually through GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
- Website builder: Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress range from free to $20 monthly. All have templates for service businesses.
- Social media graphics tool (Canva Pro): $13 monthly for professional templates and brand consistency.
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What to Buy First vs Later
Start lean and add tools as you grow. Your early spending should focus on functionality and client-facing quality, not luxury.
- First (launch month): Laptop, smartphone, ergonomic chair, booking software (free trial), email, CRM, business cards, and domain name. Total investment: $600-1,000.
- Month 2-3: External monitor, website launch, Canva Pro subscription, project management tool, cloud storage upgrade if needed.
- Month 4-6: Webcam and microphone for better video calls, filing system, phone stand, desk lamp.
- Later (6+ months): Paid booking software subscription (if free tier becomes limiting), upgraded video conferencing, destination familiarization trips, advanced marketing tools.
New vs Used Equipment
Buy new computers and electronics. Technology depreciates quickly, used devices may have hidden damage or limited battery life, and you need reliability for client-facing work. A used laptop that fails during a client consultation damages your reputation. Budget $700-1,200 for a solid new laptop.
Used furniture is fine—office chairs, desks, and filing cabinets work well secondhand if they’re structurally sound. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local office furniture liquidators offer quality pieces at 40-60% below retail. Inspect for damage and test mobility before buying. New ergonomic chairs, however, are worth the investment because sizing and adjustability are individual; a $300 new chair outperforms a $100 used one that doesn’t fit your body.
Where to Buy
- Tech and electronics: Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo (for cameras and accessories), Apple Store (if buying Mac).
- Furniture: IKEA, Wayfair, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, local office liquidators, used furniture stores.
- Office supplies: Staples, Office Depot, Amazon, local office supply stores.
- Printing: Vistaprint, Minted, local print shops (often offer design help).
- Software and subscriptions: Direct from vendor websites (Travefy, Asana, Zoom) for the most current pricing and trial options.
- Business registration and licenses: Your state’s Secretary of State website, county clerk office, or LegalZoom for registered agent services.