How Emily Makes $10,000 Per Month As A Travel Planner (Without Being a Travel Agent)
If you’re the person who loves travel so much you research trips for fun (and your friends always ask you to plan theirs), you’re not alone.
In today’s interview, Emily Concannon breaks down how she earns around $10,000/month creating custom travel itineraries, without being a travel agent, without booking anything for clients, and without needing a massive audience.
She shares exactly what she sells, when demand spikes, how she finds clients, and the simple (but important) protections to have in place if you want to try this yourself.
Tell us a little about yourself. What led you to offer travel itinerary planning services?
My name is Emily Concannon, and I’m a full-time travel blogger (emilyembarks.com).
In 2021, I left my 9-5 to focus on travel blogging, even though it was still more of a hobby than a business.
Determined to turn it into something that made me money, I began asking myself what I could offer my readers to make money sooner.
Many of them were already using my blog post itineraries and emailing me daily for help planning trips, so I launched custom itinerary planning services.
I created packages based on how much support someone needed, from flights and accommodations to budgeting and logistics.
Over time, I found that I especially loved planning honeymoons, and custom itineraries became a major part of my income early on.
They’re still a core part of what Emily Embarks is today.
How much do you earn per month from itinerary planning, and does it fluctuate seasonally?
On average, during peak planning seasons, especially spring and summer, I earn between $8,000 and $12,000 per month from itinerary planning alone.
Some months are definitely slower than others.
November through January tends to be quieter because people are already traveling, spending time with family, and not actively planning future trips. Black Friday is usually the one exception.
The busiest stretch for this type of business is typically March through June, when people are planning trips for summer, fall, winter, and holidays.
How exactly do you make money?
I charge a flat fee based on the length of the trip, and I also earn income through affiliate partnerships (which anyone can do).
Is travel itinerary planning the same thing as being a travel agent?
No, I’m not a travel agent, and the two roles are different.
Travel planners focus on the planning phase: research, routing, accommodations, trip structure, and overall experience.
Travel agents usually handle bookings and are involved throughout the trip itself. Many agents also work under an agency that provides liability coverage.
If your goal is to help people plan trips using your expertise without booking on their behalf, that falls under travel planning.
What do you enjoy most about creating itineraries for clients?
There’s something really special about helping someone visit a place they’ve always dreamed about but thought was unrealistic or too complicated.
Seeing someone realize that a trip to Antarctica, Australia, or another bucket-list destination is actually doable is incredibly rewarding.
You’re helping people turn ideas into experiences they’ll never forget.
Is itinerary planning something other people can realistically do?
Absolutely!
You don’t need a big audience or a website to start.
A lot of people begin by helping family, friends, or coworkers plan trips, then getting referrals from there. One good experience turns into the next.
From there, even a small online presence can help, especially on platforms most people overlook.
Facebook groups, Pinterest, or even something like Flipboard can be enough to get in front of the right people without having to “build a brand” or become an influencer.
The key is simply being visible where people are already asking travel questions, not trying to be everywhere at once.
Are there liabilities people should think about before offering itinerary planning?
Yes, and this part is important.
Before you get started, make sure you have:
- A clear disclaimer
- A solid contract outlining expectations and deliverables
- Legal guidance if you plan to offer bookings (this may involve an LLC or liability insurance)
It’s worth talking to a lawyer or accountant to make sure you’re properly protected.
What steps should someone take to get started?
Before finding clients, you need clarity around who you want to serve.
If you only want to plan trips to Aruba, your website, packages, and messaging should revolve around Aruba.
If your focus is luxury African travel, build everything around that niche.
Step 1: Define Your Ideal Client
Figure out who your ideal customer is, what problems they have, and what they want help with.
Step 2: Build Your Business Around That Client
Create packages that solve their specific needs.
Step 3: Decide How You’ll Market
Choose whether you want to rely on a blog, social media, YouTube, word of mouth, or another channel to attract clients.
From there, you’ll determine:
- How inquiries come in
- Your onboarding process
- Pricing
- Client timelines
- Package scope
- Whether or not you’ll offer booking services
You don’t offer booking services.. does that stop people from hiring you?
Not at all.
Most of my clients are comfortable booking flights and hotels themselves. What they don’t have is the time or energy to research and plan the entire trip.
I solve that problem by delivering a complete itinerary with links. They can book whenever they’re ready.
I usually deliver itineraries within two to three days, which saves clients an enormous amount of time.
Any advice you wish you’d known earlier?
Yes. Be honest about the time commitment.
Custom itinerary planning is not passive income. It requires consistent time and attention.
Before jumping in, take a close look at how many hours you currently work each week and where that time goes.
If you only have three hours a week available, this may not be the right fit right now. But with eight hours per week, it’s very realistic to take on one or two clients.
Knowing your limits upfront makes this business far more sustainable.
Huge thanks to Emily for being so open about her experience and sharing what she’s learned.
Check out this blog about how Kristin earns around $7,500 per month through Facebook’s monetization program; and will walk through how it works!
Have a great rest of your week!
Michelle ~ Females and Finances
