A career in travel is no longer just about booking trips. Today’s travel advisor is an entrepreneur, a curator of experiences, and a trusted guide in a world that feels increasingly complex.

Some people are just beginning to imagine this life.
Others are already in it and feel under-supported, stuck, or stretched too thin.

Wherever you are on your journey, one decision shapes everything that follows:

Do you build your travel business entirely on your own, or do you partner with a host agency?

This isn’t about right versus wrong. It’s about alignment. The path you choose determines how fast you grow, how supported you feel, and how sustainable your business becomes.

The Independent (DIY) Path: Total Control, Total Responsibility

Going fully independent means you build everything from the ground up. You create your brand, your systems, your supplier relationships, your training plan, and your workflow piece by piece.

On paper, it sounds empowering. And for the right person, it can be.

What Independence Really Involves

As a fully independent advisor, you are responsible for:

  • Forming and maintaining a legal business entity

  • Securing licensing and insurance

  • Obtaining accreditation (CLIA, IATA, ARC, etc.)

  • Applying to suppliers one by one

  • Negotiating commission levels

  • Selecting and paying for CRM and booking tools

  • Building your website, funnels, and brand

  • Designing your marketing strategy

  • Training yourself on destinations, systems, and sales

  • Troubleshooting every challenge alone

You are not just an advisor. You are the operations department, the tech team, the marketing lead, and the strategist.

The Upside

  • Complete autonomy

  • No commission splits

  • Full control over branding and direction

  • Deep ownership of every decision

This path can work beautifully for advisors who already have industry experience, strong supplier relationships, and a clear vision.

The Hidden Cost

What many DIY advisors do not anticipate is how long it takes to reach momentum.

  • Supplier approvals can take months

  • Accreditation requirements are complex

  • Commission levels often start low

  • Startup expenses add up quickly

  • There is no built-in roadmap

  • Every mistake becomes a lesson you pay for

Many independent advisors spend their first year building infrastructure instead of building income. Some never move beyond setup mode.

Independence offers freedom, but it also demands endurance.

The Host Agency Path: Freedom with a Foundation

Partnering with a host agency does not mean giving up ownership. It means plugging your business into an established foundation.

A host provides:

  • Supplier access and accreditation

  • Booking systems and tools

  • Training and education

  • Community and mentorship

  • Operational support

You still run your business. You simply do not have to build the industry from scratch.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

With the right host, you can:

  • Access top suppliers immediately

  • Book travel within days instead of months

  • Earn higher commissions faster

  • Learn from experienced mentors

  • Follow proven systems

  • Avoid costly trial and error

  • Focus on clients instead of infrastructure

Instead of spending your energy building the machine, you spend it growing the business.

The Trade-Offs

  • Commission splits

  • Less “from-scratch” autonomy

  • Operating within a shared ecosystem

For most advisors, especially new ones, the benefit is momentum. The gap between dreaming and earning becomes dramatically shorter.

New Advisors vs. Experienced Advisors

This decision feels different depending on where you stand.

If You’re Brand New

You are learning:

  • Destinations

  • Booking platforms

  • Client communication

  • Sales skills

  • Industry standards

Doing all of that while also building a business framework from nothing can be overwhelming.

A host provides structure, guidance, and speed. It gives you a place to grow before you have to invent everything.

If You’re Already an Advisor

You may be:

  • Under-earning

  • Isolated

  • Handling everything alone

  • Struggling to scale

  • Paying too much for tools

  • Missing mentorship

For experienced advisors, a host is not about basics. It is about removing friction and unlocking growth.

Which Path Fits You?

You may thrive independently if you:

  • Have deep industry experience

  • Already hold accreditation

  • Maintain strong supplier relationships

  • Enjoy building systems

  • Have time and capital to invest

  • Prefer full autonomy over speed

You may thrive with a host if you:

  • Want faster income

  • Value mentorship and guidance

  • Prefer selling over infrastructure

  • Want proven systems

  • Seek community

  • Want to scale without burnout

This is not about ability. It is about alignment.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Feature Independent (DIY) Advisor Host-Supported Advisor (Oasis Model)
Business Ownership 100% yours 100% yours
Startup Time Months to get operational Days to get operational
Supplier Access Must apply individually Immediate, top-tier access
Accreditation You handle all requirements Included through host
Startup Costs High (tools, systems, setup) Lower, predictable
Training & Education Self-directed Guided, structured, ongoing
Community Solo Built-in network of peers
Systems & Tools You choose and build Proven systems provided
Time to First Booking Often slow Often fast
Learning Curve Steep Supported
Long-Term Growth Self-built Strategically supported
Experience Total independence Ownership without isolation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The right foundation does not replace your independence. It accelerates it.

The Oasis Difference: Independence, Amplified

At Oasis Travel Network, we believe a travel advisor is not just a booking agent. You are a business owner, a brand, and a professional building something meaningful.

We are here for advisors who want ownership without isolation.

Our model is built for:

  • Aspiring advisors launching their first business

  • Experienced advisors ready for more

  • Entrepreneurs who value freedom and momentum

  • Professionals who want growth without guesswork

At Oasis, you do not plug into a cookie-cutter mold. You build your brand. You define your niche. You design your version of success.

We provide the foundation, including supplier access, training, systems, and community, so you can focus on what actually grows a business: relationships, expertise, and trust.

You remain an independent business owner.
Your independence is simply amplified.

Your Next Step

Every successful travel advisor started with the same question you are asking now.

The difference is how quickly they found clarity.

Whether you are brand new or rethinking your current setup, the right foundation changes everything.

If you are ready to explore what your future in travel could look like, we would love to connect.

Start a conversation with the Oasis team:
👉 https://www.oasistravelnetwork.com/contact-us/

Your path is yours, but it does not have to be solitary.