NAICS 561510 Quarterly Industry Report
Travel Agencies
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 561510Sector: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Travel Agencies (NAICS 561510) draws on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], U.S. Census Bureau, and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, travel industry analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the travel agencies industry.
Share of Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
2%
By establishment count, 2022 Census[2]
NAICS Sector
56
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Travel Agencies (NAICS 561510) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in acting as agents in selling travel, tour, and accommodation services to the general public and commercial clients. These businesses operate at the intersection of transportation, hospitality, and leisure industries per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. About 59,673 businesses operate across the country, including both storefront locations and online platforms.
Revenue reached about $46.9 billion in 2026, with the industry growing at 6.9 percent annually between 2021 and 2026. Commission structures vary by product: airlines pay 3 to 5 percent, hotels 10 to 15 percent, tours and activities 20 to 30 percent, and cruises 10 to 22 percent. Many agencies supplement commission income with planning fees ranging from $250 to $500 per booking. Employment stands at roughly 66,300 workers, with median annual salaries of $46,400 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6].
Digital transformation has reshaped distribution through online booking systems, mobile applications, and customer management portals. Competition from direct-booking platforms pushes agencies toward specialization in luxury travel, corporate accounts, group tours, and destination expertise where personalized service commands a premium. Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $25.0 million in average annual receipts. Major competitors include Expedia Group, Internova Travel Group, and the American Automobile Association.
What's Included in This Industry
- Retail travel booking and reservation services
- Airline ticket sales and reservations
- Hotel and accommodation booking services
- Cruise line reservations and package sales
- Car rental arrangements and coordination
- Tour package arrangement and sales
- Travel insurance and protection sales
- Destination planning and itinerary development
- Corporate and group travel management
- Foreign currency exchange coordination
- Travel advisory and consultation services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 56 |
| Subsector | Administrative and Support Services | 561 |
| Industry Group | Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | 5615 |
| NAICS Industry | Travel Agencies | 56151 |
| National Industry | Travel Agencies | 561510 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 561520 | Tour Operators | Tour Operators assemble and package multi-component travel products sold through travel agencies and other distribution channels, acting as upstream suppliers to retail travel agencies |
| 561591 | Convention and Visitors Bureaus | Convention and Visitors Bureaus market destinations to business and leisure travelers, complementing travel agency distribution by generating demand for specific locations |
| 561599 | All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | All Other Travel Arrangement Services includes reservation systems, ticket offices, and auto club services that provide specialized travel functions outside full-service agency operations |
| 487210 | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation by Land provides ground tour services that travel agencies coordinate and book as components of client itineraries and vacation packages |
| 721110 | Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | Hotels and Motels serve as core accommodation suppliers whose room inventory travel agencies access and sell through global distribution systems and direct partnerships |
| 481111 | Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation | Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation provides airline seats that travel agencies book and sell as the primary transportation component of most domestic and international itineraries |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 14.4% | 1,354 |
| 2 | Florida | 12.2% | 1,143 |
| 3 | New York | 11.5% | 1,083 |
| 4 | Texas | 6.3% | 587 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.6% | 430 |
| 6 | New Jersey | 4.2% | 395 |
| 7 | Georgia | 2.9% | 269 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 2.7% | 250 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 2.6% | 248 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 2.4% | 221 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
560
Total SBA Loans
$119.0M
Total Loan Volume
$212K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.99%
Average Interest Rate
1,768
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Travel Agencies (NAICS 561510) has a size standard of $25.0 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA 7(a) loans[8] support technology investments, office expansion, and working capital for qualifying agencies. Revenue measurement for SBA purposes includes total income plus cost of goods sold, excluding funds held in trust for third parties such as airline ticket sales subject to commissions. Additionally, 504/CDC loans[9] provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 120 | $19.4M | $162K |
| 2 | The Huntington National Bank | 16 | $15.3M | $957K |
| 3 | SouthState Bank, National Association | 8 | $10.4M | $1.3M |
| 4 | The Bancorp Bank National Association | 8 | $10.4M | $1.3M |
| 5 | TD Bank, National Association | 104 | $9.5M | $91K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses operate as travel agencies?
Travel agencies include storefront retail offices, online booking platforms, home-based independent agents, and corporate travel management firms. About 59,673 businesses operate in this sector per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Specialization is common; agencies may focus on luxury travel, corporate accounts, adventure tourism, or specific destinations.
How is the travel agency industry structured?
Revenue reached about $46.9 billion in 2026. Commission structures vary by product, with airlines at 3 to 5 percent and cruises at 10 to 22 percent. Employment stands at roughly 66,300 workers per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Major competitors include Expedia Group, Internova Travel Group, and AAA. Many agencies supplement commissions with planning fees of $250 to $500 per booking.
What is the SBA size standard for Travel Agencies?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], NAICS 561510 has a size standard of $25.0 million in average annual receipts. Revenue for SBA purposes includes total income plus cost of goods sold, excluding funds held in trust for third parties.
What NAICS codes are related to travel agencies?
Related codes include NAICS 561520 (Tour Operators), NAICS 561591 (Convention Bureaus), NAICS 561599 (Other Travel Arrangement), NAICS 721110 (Hotels), and NAICS 481111 (Scheduled Air Transportation). These codes represent suppliers, partners, and adjacent services in the travel distribution chain per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
Which industries work most closely with travel agencies?
Hotels provide the largest commission revenue stream. Airlines supply transportation seats. Tour operators create packaged products for agency resale. Insurance carriers provide trip protection add-ons. Convention bureaus generate destination demand. Activity providers supply excursions and experiences for client itineraries.
What activities are included in NAICS 561510?
Core activities include booking airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, cruise cabins, and tour packages. Agencies also sell travel insurance, arrange foreign currency exchange, develop custom itineraries, and manage corporate travel programs per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
Can travel agency businesses get SBA loans?
Yes, agencies meeting the $25.0 million size standard qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[8] covering technology platforms, office buildout, marketing, and working capital. SBA financing supports both startup agencies and established firms expanding into new markets or specializations.
Which states have the highest concentration of travel agencies?
Florida, California, and New York lead in travel agency employment, reflecting their large tourism markets and dense populations per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Texas and Illinois also host significant travel agency clusters. Metropolitan areas with major airports and corporate headquarters drive the strongest demand.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504/CDC loans sba.gov
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