The travel industry in Bangladesh is buzzing. More people are flying, more tourists are exploring, and more students are going abroad than ever before. That means one thing: it’s a fantastic time to get into the travel agency business in Bangladesh.

But here’s the thing—you’ve got choices. You can go the traditional route with a cozy office setup, or you can take the online route, building a full-on digital travel brand.

Why Travel Agency Business in Bangladesh is Booming?

Let’s be real—Bangladeshis love to travel. From student visas to Dubai tours, Umrah packages to Malaysia holidays, there’s a HUGE market out there.

Here’s why the timing is perfect:

• Over 70% internet penetration means people are booking online.

• Airlines are expanding both domestic and international routes.

• People now prefer travel agents who offer real-time bookings and digital support.

And guess what? Agencies using travel tech like IV Trip have doubled their growth in just a few months.

How to Start Travel Agency Business in Bangladesh (Offline & Online)?

Step 1: Decide Your Model – Offline or Online (or Both!)

Before you jump into registrations or marketing, ask yourself: how do you want to run your business?

Offline Travel Agency Setup

• Start with a Small Local Office
  Rent a space near a bus stand, university, or busy market. Even a 100–150 sq ft room with a desk, chair, and internet is enough to get started.

• Serve Walk-in Clients for Student, Hajj, or Family Travel
  People trust face-to-face conversations for visas and group travel. You’ll mostly get clients through referrals and neighborhood reputation.

• Hire Staff for Ticketing, Visa & Customer Support
  You’ll need at least one person for managing bookings and another for handling documents or calling airlines.

• Rely on Word of Mouth & Local Marketing
  Offline success depends on trust. Serve your early customers well—they’ll bring others.

Online Travel Agency Setup

• Launch a Website or Mobile App
  Use a ready-made travel agency software like IV Trip to get a full-featured site within days.

• Add Flight, Hotel, and Car Booking APIs
  Offer real-time bookings by connecting to GDS systems like Sabre, Amadeus, Mystifly , Travelport. You’ll look just like any global OTA.

• Use Social Media & Ads to Get Clients
  Run Facebook and Google ads to attract people searching for things like “cheap flights to Malaysia” or “Dubai visa help.”

• Automate the Process with CRM and Chatbots
  Clients book online, get confirmations by email or SMS, and everything is stored in your dashboard—super smooth!

 ✅ Tip: Start with one, and slowly expand. Many successful agencies in Bangladesh now do both.

Step 2: Register Your Business Properly

This is where most people get confused, but don’t worry—it’s not hard.

Legal Steps for All Travel Agencies

• Register Your Business with RJSC
  Whether you’re a sole trader or limited company, this is your first legal step. You’ll get a certificate that proves you’re a legit business.

• Get a Trade License from City Corporation
  It’s usually done at the local city office. Ask your local ward commissioner’s office for the form—it’s pretty straightforward.

• Apply for a TIN Certificate
  You can get it online from the NBR website in under 30 minutes. It’s needed for opening your business bank account and future tax filing.

• Open a Business Bank Account
  Don’t use personal accounts for business! Get a corporate account so you can accept large payments and issue invoices properly.

Extra for Online Travel Agencies

• Buy a Domain Name (.com or .bd)
  Pick a short, catchy name like ftotravels.com.

• Write a Privacy Policy and Terms Page
  Most payment gateways and clients look for this before trusting you. Keep it simple but professional.

• Connect a Payment Gateway (SSLCommerz, bKash, Nagad)
  This lets customers pay for bookings directly on your site, 24/7—even on holidays.

✅ Related Read: Travel Agency Legal Setup Guide

✈️ Optional: Get IATA Accreditation (for Direct Ticketing)

If you’re planning to issue flight tickets directly using your own agency IATA number (instead of through a consolidator), then you’ll need to get certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Here’s a breakdown of what’s involved:

IATA Requirements in Bangladesh:

• Registered Business
  You must be a legally registered travel agency with RJSC, valid trade license, and tax certificates.

• Financial Stability
  IATA typically requires:

  • Audited financial statements for the last 1–2 years

  • Positive net worth

  • Minimum working capital (amount may vary)

• Office Premises & Staff
  You’ll need a commercial office space, not residential. Plus, at least one certified ticketing staff (e.g., with a diploma in airline or travel management).

• Bank Guarantee
  A bank guarantee or financial bond (usually USD 10,000 or more) must be provided to IATA as security.

• Technology Setup
  A functional GDS (like Travelport, Sabre, Amadeus) is required, along with a ticket printer, internet, and IATA-approved accounting software.

 

How to Apply for IATA in Bangladesh:

1. Visit iata.org and go to the “New Accreditation” section.

2. Choose IATA Accredited Agent Application (Passenger Sales).

3. Submit application + documents + fees via IATA’s online portal.

4. IATA may conduct an office inspection before final approval.

 

Do You Really Need IATA?

If you’re just starting out or planning to use software like IV Trip that connects with consolidators and GDS APIs, you can run your business without IATA. Many successful Bangladeshi agencies grow fast using local ticket consolidators and travel software.

✅ But if your goal is to work directly with airlines, issue your own tickets, and join global distribution networks—IATA is your badge of credibility.

Step 3: Build Your Core Services

You can’t be a travel agent without offering something people actually need. So let’s plan your main services.

Must-Have Services

• Flight Ticketing (Domestic & International)
  From Dhaka to Dubai or Cox’s Bazar to Chittagong—this is your bread and butter. Connect with a GDS or local airlines for full access.

• Hotel Bookings
  Add 3–5 star hotels for popular destinations. Partner with aggregators or get direct contracts for better margins.

• Visa Assistance & Consultancy
  Students, job seekers, and Umrah/Hajj travelers will need help with embassy forms, appointments, and translations.

• Holiday or Group Tour Packages
  Design ready-made packages for Maldives, Nepal, Thailand, and even Sundarbans or Sajek. People love buying bundles.

• Airport Transfers & Local Car Rentals
  Partner with car agencies to add transportation as an extra service.

• Travel Insurance
  It’s optional, but easy to sell. Great for earning commissions without doing much.

✅ See Booking Engine Features

Step 4: Use the Right Software & Tools

This is where you save time, reduce mistakes, and actually scale your business.

Why Use Travel Software?

• All-in-One Dashboard for Bookings
  Instead of juggling Excel files or WhatsApp messages, have one place where all your bookings live.

• Automatic Invoices & Receipts
  Looks more professional and saves hours of manual work.

• Manage Agents, Customers, and Resellers
  If you want to grow fast, let others sell for you—software makes that easy.

• Accounting, CRM, & SMS Built-In
  Track payments, customer follow-ups, and performance from the same place.

️ Why IV Trip is Ideal

• Designed specifically for Bangladeshi agencies

• Has bKash/Nagad integration

• Supports local low-cost airlines

• Fully cloud-based—access from mobile, laptop, or tablet

✅ Explore IV Trip

Step 5: Connect to GDS & API Systems (for Online Setup)

If you want your agency to look like GoZayaan, ShareTrip, or Flight Expert—you’ll need to integrate travel APIs.

✈️ GDS Integration Process

• Apply to Global GDS like Travelport, Amadeus, or Sabre
  They’ll ask for documents and initial fees.

• Start with Sandbox Testing
  You get demo access to test flights and bookings.

• Move to UAT & Production
  After testing, you’ll get a live connection that pulls real-time data.

• Use a Software Like IV Trip to Simplify Everything
  The best part? IV Trip handles integration, training, and deployment for you.

✅ Flight Booking API Integration

Step 6: Marketing Your Agency (Both Online & Offline)

Whether you’ve got a small local office or a full-blown online booking site, you’ll need a solid marketing plan to get noticed. Here’s how to attract your first 100 (and then 1,000+) customers:

A. Offline Marketing Tips

• Distribute Printed Brochures Locally
  Visit universities, schools, travel fairs, or local mosques and hand out flyers promoting your packages. Make sure your contact number and office address are clearly mentioned.

• Partner with Local Businesses
  Team up with coaching centers, language institutes, or HR agencies that work with students and job-seekers. Offer a small commission for every referral that turns into a booking.

• Run Local Newspaper Ads
  Print ads in dailies like Prothom Alo or Jugantor are surprisingly affordable and still effective for reaching parents or elder clients who prefer offline booking.

• Organize Small Travel Seminars or Visa Workshops
  Host a free event explaining the student visa process or Umrah packages. These kinds of sessions build trust—and trust sells.

B. Online Marketing Hacks

• Build an SEO-Optimized Website
  Use your keywords naturally. For example: “Affordable Dubai tour packages from Bangladesh” or “best student visa support travel agency in Dhaka.” Blog regularly with relevant content.

• Start a Facebook Page & Run Ads
  Share customer reviews, run giveaway contests, or promote special discounts. Facebook Ads are cheap, and you can target by city, age, and even interests like “tourism” or “study abroad.”

• Get on Google Business Profile
  Verify your business on Google Maps. Add your hours, photos, and a booking link. Encourage happy clients to leave reviews—it boosts your local SEO.

• Create Travel Blog or YouTube Videos
  Write blogs like “Top 5 Mistakes Bangladeshi Tourists Make in Thailand” or shoot vlogs reviewing airlines, hotels, and destinations.

 

✅ Digital Help: Digital Marketing Services for Travel Agencies

Step 7: Operations, Team, and Automation Tools

Once you start getting leads and bookings, you’ll need a system to keep things running smoothly.

‍ Hire or Train the Right People

• Salesperson or Agent Coordinator
  Someone who can talk to clients confidently, manage bookings, and upsell packages. For offline agencies, this person is your front face.

• Visa Processing Specialist
  If you’re offering student or Umrah packages, hire someone who knows embassy paperwork, documentation, and embassy appointment systems.

• Tech-Savvy Support Staff
  For online agencies, you’ll need someone to manage the booking dashboard, update prices, and troubleshoot tech or API issues.

 

Automate with Travel Software

• Booking Management System
  With a system like IV Trip, every booking (flight, hotel, car rental) is stored in a clean dashboard. You won’t miss a single payment or detail.

• Invoice & Accounting Tool
  Say goodbye to handwritten bills. Auto-generate invoices, track commissions, manage agent wallets, and generate tax-ready reports—built right into the IV Trip platform.

• Customer Feedback & Loyalty
  Automatically send follow-up emails or WhatsApp messages to ask how the trip went. Offer repeat discounts to loyal customers and track everything inside your CRM.

✅ Tool Guide: Best Accounting & CRM Software for Travel Agents

Step 8: Grow Your Business Like a Pro

Once your basics are solid, it’s time to think bigger. Here’s how successful Bangladeshi agencies scale:

Add Affiliate/Agent Network

• Student or Freelancer Agents
  Let local students promote your offers. Give them referral codes or login access. Reward them with commission on every successful lead.

• Reseller Login System
  Offer B2B logins to small agents in remote areas. They book through your platform, you control pricing, and everyone wins.

✅ Explore Affiliate Marketing Features in IV Trip

Expand Your Services

• Inbound Tourism
  Bangladesh has amazing places to visit—offer inbound packages for foreigners visiting Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar, or Sylhet.

• Corporate Travel & Bulk Deals
  Tie up with companies and offer them customized business travel packages, meeting logistics, and invoice-based monthly billing.

Track, Improve, Repeat

• Use analytics dashboards (like the one in IV Trip) to track your most booked routes, popular packages, and conversion rates.

• See which ads are working, which landing pages convert best, and optimize everything over time.

 

Ready to Start Your Travel Business?

By now, you know exactly how to start a travel agency business in Bangladesh—whether you’re building an offline desk in your neighborhood or launching a nationwide online brand.

From getting your licenses to integrating flight APIs, from booking your first ticket to earning commissions, this guide has your back.

If you want to save time, automate bookings, and look like a pro from day one, then don’t reinvent the wheel. Use the tools smart travel agents trust.

FAQs

1. How much money do I need to start a travel agency in Bangladesh?

Starting small with an offline setup? You’ll need around BDT 50,000–1,00,000 for trade license, office rent, and basic setup. Going online? Budget about BDT 2–3 lakh for software, API, and digital marketing.

2. What license do I need to open a travel agency in Bangladesh?

You’ll need a Trade License, TIN certificate, and optionally a VAT registration. If you plan to offer flight bookings directly, go for IATA accreditation (not mandatory).

3. Is it better to start an online or offline travel agency?

Both have pros. Offline is great for building local trust, while online lets you automate everything and scale faster. Best option? Start hybrid—small office + travel software.

4. Which is the best software for travel agency business in Bangladesh?

Without a doubt, it’s IV Trip. Designed for Bangladeshi agents, it supports bKash/Nagad, integrates with local airlines, and comes with booking + CRM + accounting features.

5. Can I offer flight booking without GDS?

Yes, you can start by selling prepaid tickets, working with consolidators, or using LCC airline portals. But to grow, GDS integration is highly recommended.

6. How can I get Travelport, Sabre or Amadeus API in Bangladesh?

Sign up via a local partner like ImpleVista who helps you with documentation, sandbox testing, and live deployment using platforms like IV Trip.

✅ Flight API Setup Help

7. Do I need to hire staff to run my travel agency?

Not always. With a smart system like IV Trip, you can manage everything solo at the start. Later, you can add staff for visa processing, customer care, or social media.

8. What’s the best way to promote a travel agency in Bangladesh?

Use a mix of offline flyers, Facebook ads, and Google My Business. Post travel tips, run promos, and reply fast. Speed + trust = more bookings.

✅ Digital Marketing for Travel Agencies

9. Can I accept online payments through my travel site?

Yes! With SSLCommerz, bKash, Nagad, or even Stripe, you can collect payments safely. IV Trip supports all major Bangladeshi payment gateways.

10. How long does it take to make profit from a travel agency?

Some agencies earn in their first month, especially during visa or Umrah season. With proper marketing and good service, most agencies recover their investment within 6–12 months.

Launch your travel agency the smart way with IV Trip – Bangladesh’s leading travel agency software.
Get a free demo, step-by-step GDS integration support, and marketing tools to help your business grow.

Contact the ImpleVista team now and let your travel journey begin today.