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do travel guides show get paid

The Travel Guides Cast: Everything About Salary and Living Conditions

The Travel Guides is a popular Australian reality TV series. It first aired in 2017 and was met with positive feedback from viewers. Australians were eager to watch a different type of reality TV series. They found this show to be a refreshing change from the regular selection of reality TV programs.

This series follows groups of travellers from Australia. All of the travellers are ordinary Australians, but each group is different from the next. Their job is to review the accommodations, cuisine, and tourist attractions.

do travel guides show get paid

However, this isn’t your ordinary travel series. The contestants on this show are put in unpredictable situations. It’s part of what makes this show unpredictable and humorous. Each group of travellers will have a different take on the situations at hand.

What Does the Cast Do on Travel Guides?

The cast of this hit reality series gets to go on exclusive vacations around the world. While they travel, they will experience different activities, try dishes custom to other cultures, and stay at local hotels and resorts. In exchange for this, they will leave brutally honest reviews.

In each episode of the series, the travellers will go on a week-long vacation (all expenses paid). The groups each consist of family members or close friends. They will leave their comfortable nest in Australia and venture to big cities worldwide.

Viewers are introduced to new groups of travellers each season, and some fan favourites have returned to the show. One of the most popular groups on the show is the Fren family, who has appeared in all five seasons.

These groups have gotten to travel to places all over the world. Some of the places they’ve visited include:

  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Perth, Australia
  • Argentina & more

Does the Cast of Travel Guides Get Paid?

It hasn’t been released to the public how much the castmates of Travel Guides get paid. However, the Fren family had openly commented on how the show saved them when they were experiencing financial hardship with the restaurant they own.

Many reality TV shows made in Australia will provide contestants with weekly pay while filming. Travel Guides is a different scenario. Ordinary Australians get to travel to tourist destinations in Australia and internationally for free. All fees are covered, including accommodations, transportation, meals, shopping, and other activities they participate in. Since everything is free for travellers, they don’t have to worry about any expenses.

Whether or not the contestants get paid per episode and how much they earn hasn’t been revealed. Each group of family and friends do have the job of leaving a red hot honest review. Even if they don’t get paid, the free travelling and TV exposure are worth it.

A lot of Australian reality TV contestants are able to earn money because of the exposure they have gotten. Once the TV series airs, fans of the show begin following the castmates on social media and subscribing to their content. Well-known castmates have been able to use their exposure to get further opportunities, such as appearances on other TV series. It’s also common for them to get paid endorsement deals where brands pay them to post content on Instagram and other social media platforms.

Another way that these contestants use their exposure to earn money is through paid online gigs, like Cameo and similar platforms. This is when they record personal messages for fans for a cost. The more popular a castmate is, the more they can charge for a video. It’s also common for castmates to use paid subscription platforms, like Patreon and OnlyFans, to earn an income. Also, a lot of contestants may like to relax by gambling and choose a new Australian online casino .

What Are the Living Conditions Like on Travel Guides?

Every country these travellers visit will have different accommodations. The accommodations will be based on the culture of the country they visit. This is why the reviews from the Fren family, cowgirl twins, and other favourite castmates are always red hot.

For the most part, they get to experience good quality living conditions. However, since the accommodations are often different from what they are used to, it leads to some hilarious reviews. This is one of the main reasons why this reality TV series has been such a hit with Australians and other viewers around the world.

Every episode is a different experience for the castmates and the viewers. Travellers could be enjoying the lux life on a cruise, visiting a casino in the city, or going on an off-road adventure. They must be up for anything to get the full travel experience.

Will Travel Guides Return for Season 6?

Do you want to see the Fren family and other fan favourites back on your TV screen? Currently, there is no word on when season 6 will be released. This is because the 6th season hasn’t been renewed yet.

Fans of this beloved reality TV show shouldn’t have reason to worry about the series’ fate. It has been confirmed that the series hasn’t been cancelled and is just on a break.

Does the idea of temporarily leaving your job and travelling the world for free sound like a dream? That’s exactly what the castmates of this popular reality TV series get to experience. While there currently isn’t any information released on what contestants earn from filming the series, the experience they get is well worth it.

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The Fren family reveal: “Travel guides saved us!”

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When the Fren family decided to apply for Travel Guides, they never imagined they would still be doing the series three seasons later.

Since the show’s 2017 launch, Mark and Cathy, along with their daughter Victoria and son Jonathon, are often recognised as they go about their day-to-day lives.

But the show has served as much more than just a route to fame. For the Fren clan, from Newcastle in NSW, it’s supported them financially through a turbulent time for their family-run German restaurant, Oma’s Kitchen.

“It’s been our lifeline, really,” mum Cathy, 55, admits to TV WEEK. “We’ve had a few problems over the past few years with regards to the [construction of] the light rail and the V8 Supercars 500 racetrack in Newcastle. It’s not a great place to be.

“The hardest part about being on the show is coming back and having to reopen a restaurant and get it up and running again.”

do travel guides show get paid

The restaurant’s location means the Frens are forced to close during the staging of the annual Supercars Championship. In the first year of the event, it remained closed for five months. The family claim they lost 90 per cent of their customers and suffered financially.

It’s why, Mark, 57, says they’re extremely grateful to the Nine Network for asking them to return to the quirky travel show year after year.

“We thought it would be like most reality TV shows − that we’d just have one year and that’d be it,” the former primary school teacher explains.

“But people relate to us as a family.”

do travel guides show get paid

Part of the Frens’ appeal is their ability to cope with stressful situations − and to see the lighter side.

“We thought we were nuts,” Cathy admits. “I kept on saying, ‘I can’t believe people think we’re normal!’ We just like to say what we think. There are no airs or graces.”

The new season premiere of Travel Guides attracted an impressive 752,000 viewers, indicating that both the family and program have built a steady following.

People often approach the family to tell them how they’ve affected their lives.

“We get many emails from people who are sick,” Mark says. “It’s such a feel-good show and I think it brings people so much joy, even if just for an hour.”

Cathy adds, “For me, that’s one of the best things to come out of Travel Guides − that we can give people so much joy and happiness.”

Mark says his son Jonathon, 27, probably gets the most attention. Fans of the show seem particularly obsessed with finding him a girlfriend.

“A little old lady came into the restaurant recently and said, ‘Excuse me − does Jonathon get laid in this series?'” Mark says with a laugh. “She was well into her 80s!”

Jonathon says he’s used to it.

“I don’t know why everyone wants me to find a girlfriend,” he says. “Maybe it’s because I have to succeed at everything, and that’s the only thing I haven’t succeeded at.”

Victoria’s view is that her brother is picky and she says he has “a long list” of attributes his ideal woman must have.

“She can’t be fat, short or have curly blonde hair,” the 25-year-old explains.

Listening in, Cathy is quick to make a wry observation.

“He’s describing his mother!” she exclaims. “Everything he says he doesn’t want is me!”

do travel guides show get paid

Banter aside, it’s clear the family share a special bond. Cathy and Mark love the fact they get to spend so much time with their children as adults. They also have fond memories of their kids as they grew up.

“They were beautiful children and were spoiled rotten,” Cathy says. “Jonathon has always been quiet and was an excellent student. Victoria was beautiful until she was about 15, and then went totally wild until she was about 21.”

Jonathon adds, “They were fantastic parents. And they did spoil us rotten. They always had time for us.”

Travel Guides airs Tuesday, 9pm, Nine Network.

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You could be jet-setting around the globe just like our favourite Guides — The Fren Family , Stack and Mel , "holiday snobs" Kevin and Janetta , best mates Kev, Dorian and Teng (aka The Target Boys) , and Matt and Brett .

Stream new episodes of Travel Guides on 9Now.

If you have a passion for travel, a sense of humour and want the adventure of a lifetime, now is the time to apply.

We're looking for families, partners and groups. However you must be a group of 2 to 4 people, aged 18 or over.

You must have a current passport and be able to travel between July and December 2023.

You must upload a video with your application. All members of your group must appear in the video along with individual photos and one all together.

Applicants must be Australian citizens or have been a permanent resident for at least two years.

Applicants must not be or have been in the past two years an employee of Nine or its affiliates, or be associated with any news or media outlet, including any web-based media outlet in Australia or elsewhere.

Applications close Monday 5th June 2023 at midnight.

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Travel Guides continues on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm. You can stream complete seasons of Travel Guides for free on 9Now .

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How Do Travel Agents Make Money? [The Travel Agent Business Model]

In the past, travel agents made money from commissions from airlines and hotels. And while this is still a key revenue source for travel agents, the increasing prevalence of online booking has made them look for new sources to diversify their income. So, how do travel agents make money today?

Below, we explain the different ways in which independent professionals and online agencies generate revenue in the ever-changing travel industry. By understanding the rewards that come with taking on the role of a travel agent, you will gain insight into this often-overlooked career path and how it could fit into your own life goals.

How Do Travel Agents Work?

Travel agents work to provide their clients with a stress-free and personalized travel experience by taking care of all the details and providing expert advice and support. Travel agents can work independently or for travel agencies. 

The key role of a travel agent is to assess their client’s needs and make the necessary recommendations and arrangements based on them. Services provided by travel agents include:

  • Consultation – Determining the client’s travel needs, budget, and preferences. This includes asking questions about the purpose of the trip, the desired destination, preferred travel dates, accommodation preferences, and any specific requests or requirements.
  • Research – Identifying the best travel options available for the client (flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and activities).
  • Booking – Making travel arrangements on behalf of the client.
  • Confirmation – Verification of all details related to the booking, including providing the client with the necessary information, such as flight times, hotel reservations, and tour details.
  • Follow-up – A travel agent may provide advice on travel visas, travel insurance, packing tips, and other travel-related issues.

How Do Travel Agents Get Paid?

The most common way a travel agent gets paid is from commissions from airlines, cruise lines, or tour companies for packages sold. The commission rate varies depending on the type of travel and the agreements with travel providers. 

Additionally, travel agents get paid a fee by their clients for their services. The amount of the service fee is entirely up to the agent and is related to the type of services provided. Typically, it’s charged for arranging some or all segments of the travel.

If the travel agent is employed by an agency, then just like any other employee, they’ll receive a salary or hourly wages.  

Net price overages are also an option for many agencies. So, for instance, if an agent books a certain number of hotel rooms, the vendor gives them a discount which is then marked up, and the difference is kept by the agency. 

Some travel agents may also earn additional revenue by offering travel insurance or upgrades to accommodations or transportation.

Travel Agent Business Model

The simplest way to describe the business model of travel agents is to go by the main source of income. Based on this, there are two types of business models:

  • Commission-Based 

The commission-based business model allows travel agents to earn a percentage of the total cost of a travel package, such as flights, accommodations, and activities. Depending on whether the package is domestic or international, travel agent commissions may be as low as 5% or as high as 20% or more. 

  • Service-Fee-Based

In a service-fee-based business model, travel agents charge their clients a service fee for their expertise or assistance in planning a trip. If the travel agent is in the role of an advisor, they may recommend a popular destination or deal on a specific trip. 

Alternatively, they may provide help for any given element of the trip, from booking a hotel room or flight to booking a spa treatment. The fee charged can be a flat rate or a percentage of the total trip cost. 

It’s important to note that with the rise of online booking platforms, the travel industry has become more competitive, and many travel agents use a combination of commission and service fees, plus access to exclusive deals and pricing. This way, they’re able to offer their clients a unique and personalized experience while staying competitive in the market. 

How Travel Agents Make Money

Here are the most common ways travel agents make money.

1. Travel Insurance Sales

Travel insurance is essential to ensure your trip is protected in case of any unexpected changes or emergencies. Travel agents can sell insurance policies for their clients, which provide coverage for things like flight cancellations, lost luggage, and medical expenses. Depending on the policy sold, agents can earn up to 40% in commission.

2. Cruise Sales

Travel agents may receive a high commission or bonus on cruises based on the number of rooms booked by their clients. Typically, the commission rate for cruises is around 12%. This is because a large number of passengers are required to fill a ship.

Note that a significant portion of clients’ bills is taxes. For instance, a booking for cruise berths priced at $4,000 might include taxes amounting to $1,500. When booking cruises, agents earn commissions only on the portion of the cost that is not taxed.

3. Car Rental

Depending on the car rental agency, agents may earn between 8% to 10% commission on bookings. Other travel agents charge a flat fee of $20–$40 for making the reservation with the car rental company. 

The car rental industry is highly competitive, so the key here is for travel agents to establish relationships with different companies and shop around for the best rates for their clients.

From visiting vineyards in Tuscany to exploring the rainforest in Costa Rica, tours are an excellent way for clients to get the most out of their travels. Agents can earn commissions ranging between 10% and 20% when they book a tour package and may also receive incentives such as free rooms or discounts on future trips.

5. Premium Listings

Car companies, airlines, and cruise lines pay handsomely for premium listings on travel agents’ sites. This gives the company more visibility and may help them generate more revenue. Typically, agents negotiate a commission for booking trips with these companies or charge a flat fee for providing access to the website.

6. Vacation Packages and Deals

If a travel agent is employed, they can use the buying power of their agency to get discounts and special offers which they can then pass on to their clients in the form of reduced hotel rates, exclusive deals, and other incentives. Usually, the commission rates for booking vacation packages range between 10% and 15%.

7. Niche Travel

Focusing on a niche area can be highly profitable for travel agents because it allows them to refine their expertise and cater to clients seeking a specific type of trip, like wedding and honeymoon or sports travel.

Some agents have two distinct branches of their business. The first covers travel to various destinations worldwide, while the second specializes in a particular theme like yachting, wine, or culinary adventures. For instance, an agent could sell packages for resorts and cruises while also organizing unique wine or food-related trips.

8. Mode of Travel

Vacationers have options beyond just using traditional modes of transportation like planes, trains, and cars. For instance, they can choose to explore an area by cycling from one spot to another. It’s the agent’s responsibility to arrange the logistics of the trip, from transportation to the actual adventure.

9. Corporate Travel

Many travel agents make their money by organizing custom trips for corporations. From organizing team building, corporate retreats, or special rewards trips, corporate travel is an excellent source of revenue and provides the opportunity for the agent to make long-term relationships with companies.

Travel agents may be paid an hourly fee for their services and/or a commission on airline tickets, cruises, and hotels and resorts. They could also receive incentives to book certain properties or activities, such as golf courses or spa treatments. 

How Much Do Travel Agents Make Per Booking?

A travel agent’s commission may be as low as 5% or as high as 30% and depends on various factors such as the type of booking, the element of travel, and the vendor they book with. In addition to commissions, travel agents’ income can come from other sources, such as service fees. 

For example, if a travel agent earns a commission of 10% on a $2,000 booking, they would make $200. However, if the booking is a complex itinerary, such as a multi-country trip, and the travel agent charges a service fee of $200, their total income from that booking would be $400.

Do Travel Agents Get Paid Hourly?

Yes, travel agents can be paid by the hour, and it’s a more common type of compensation for travel agents who work for larger agencies. The average hourly pay of travel agents in the US currently stands at $17.71 and goes as high as $28 per hour in states like New York, California, and Nevada.

However, travel agents are typically compensated in different ways, and their pay structure may depend on the company they work for and the type of travel they book. And while some are paid on an hourly basis, most receive a salary or are paid on a commission basis.

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Auditions are being held to fill what could be the best jobs in Australia right now — a globetrotter on the next season of the TV reality show Travel Guides .

The Nine Network is looking to cast a new bunch of personalities for the fourth season of the show, which sees regular Aussie families and mates travel to different parts of the world — for free — to test out and review the locations, experiences and accommodation.

It has to be one of the best jobs going, on television or in real life.

“We’re looking for brand new travellers to join the adventure of a lifetime,” the casting call reads.

“For your chance to take free holidays around the world, apply here .”

To be eligible, applicants must be a group of two to four people aged 18 or over who are Australian citizens or have been a permanent resident for at least two years.

Crucially, applicants will also have to be available to travel between July and November 2019.

The group must submit a video with the application to audition.

The Fren family visited Hawaii this season. Picture: Channel 9

Applications close on April 15. That’s less than a month away, so grab your nearest and dearest, make sure your passports are all set and give it a red hot go.

The show has made ordinary Australians instant celebrities as they are sent to destinations like Tokyo, Oman, South Africa, Bali and Western Australia.

Travellers were also taken to Taiwan. Picture: Channel 9

On the most recent series of Travel Guides , which has just wrapped up, the travellers went to Hawaii, Taiwan, Argentina, India, South Australia on a foodie tour, the Philippines and on a cruise through Europe.

The travellers are given mystery holidays and only a packing list and temperature guide before they head off.

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Do Travel Guides Get Paid? The Truth Revealed

By knbbs-sharer

do travel guides show get paid

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know how important travel guides can be in helping you navigate unfamiliar territory. Whether it’s a guidebook, blog post, or Instagram post, travel guides can offer a wealth of information about a destination, from the best places to eat to the hidden gems that most tourists miss. But have you ever stopped to wonder whether travel guides get paid for their work? In this article, we’ll explore the truth behind how travel guides make money and what it means for travelers like you.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that there are many different types of travel guides out there, each with their own motivations and sources of income. Some travel guides work for publishers, such as travel guidebook companies or travel magazines, and receive a flat fee or royalties for their work. Others are freelance writers or bloggers who may receive payment for their content from advertisers, affiliate programs, or sponsored partnerships.

Another key factor is the type of travel guide you’re looking at. Some guides, such as those found in print guidebooks or on well-established travel websites, may have a higher level of editorial oversight and fact-checking, while other guides, such as those found on social media, may be more subjective and less reliable in terms of accuracy. It’s important to consider the source of the information when using travel guides to plan your trips.

So, do travel guides get paid? The answer is yes, but it’s important to understand the nuances of how they make money and what that means for the information they provide. For example, a travel guide who is paid directly by a tourism board or hotel chain may be more likely to promote those specific destinations or properties, rather than providing a neutral view of all options. Similarly, a guide who relies heavily on affiliate programs or sponsored content may be more likely to recommend certain products or services over others, based on the potential for financial gain.

Of course, this isn’t to say that all travel guides are biased or unreliable. Many travel writers and bloggers take pride in providing honest, factual information about destinations, and may even turn down offers of payment or sponsored content in order to maintain their integrity. However, it’s always important to approach travel guides with a critical eye and evaluate the source and potential biases of the content you’re reading.

In conclusion, while travel guides do get paid, it’s important for travelers to be aware of the potential biases and motivations behind the information they’re reading. By carefully evaluating the source and accuracy of travel guides, travelers can make more informed decisions about their trips and have a more enjoyable and fulfilling travel experience. So next time you’re using a travel guide to plan your next adventure, take a moment to consider the source and keep an open mind. Happy travels!

(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

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Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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Demystifying Travel Guides: Do They Get Paid?

do travel guides show get paid

Have you ever wondered how travel guides work? Do they get paid for promoting certain destinations, hotels, or activities? In this article, we’ll uncover the truth behind travel guides and their monetary incentives.

Introduction

Travel guides, whether online or in print, are great resources for travelers looking to plan their next adventure. However, there has been growing concern about the possible bias of travel guides as well as the impact of social media influencers on travel choices. It’s only natural to question whether travel guides get paid for their work and if this affects their recommendations.

How Do Travel Guides Make Money?

Most travel guides rely on advertising revenue to stay afloat. This can come in the form of banner ads, sponsored content, or affiliate links. Travel guides can also generate revenue through partnerships with tourism boards, hotels, and tour operators.

While advertising and partnerships are common in the industry, they should not be confused with paid endorsements or biased recommendations. Experienced travel guides prioritize the traveler’s interests above all else, and their reputation depends on delivering impartial and reliable information.

Distinguishing Paid Content from Genuine Recommendations

It’s important to understand the difference between paid content and genuine recommendations. Paid content is sponsored content that promotes a product, service, or destination. Genuine recommendations, on the other hand, are based on the travel guide’s personal experience, research, and expertise.

A reputable travel guide clearly distinguishes sponsored content from authentic recommendations. They disclose any potential conflicts of interest and clearly label sponsored content as such. For example, a sponsored blog post may include a disclaimer at the top of the page that says, “This post is sponsored by XYZ Tours.”

The Role of Social Media Influencers

Social media influencers, whether bloggers or Instagrammers, have a significant impact on travel choices. However, the transparency and authenticity of their recommendations have been called into question. Some influencers are accused of promoting products or destinations for financial gain without regard for the traveler’s interests.

It’s important to note that not all influencers are motivated by financial gain. Many genuine and knowledgeable influencers provide valuable travel tips and recommendations. Reputable influencers disclose any financial incentives and never compromise their ethics for payment.

Travel guides, whether online or in print, rely on advertising and partnerships to generate revenue. However, reputable travel guides prioritize the traveler’s interests and deliver impartial and reliable information. It’s important to distinguish paid content from genuine recommendations and to seek out the advice of experienced and knowledgeable travel guides. Social media influencers can also provide valuable travel information, but it’s important to consider their transparency and authenticity. In the end, the traveler’s needs and interests should always be the priority.

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Tour Guide Compensation

Every year my organization, TripSchool (opens in a new tab) trains hundreds of new tour guides around the world. In our courses we cover every conceivable topic, from storytelling to customer service to handling cultural differences, but there’s one very practical topic that is perhaps most important of all, and on everyone’s mind: how much money does a tour guide earn? After all, beyond our passion for people and travel, guiding is a job. And the answer to this is, of course: it depends. Below I’ll lay out some of the factors that play into how much money you can expect to earn as a tour guide.

Guides are usually freelancers.

If you’re working for a tour operator, you’ll usually be hired as a freelancer (opens in a new tab) , or independent contractor, or temporary worker, whatever term is used where you’re from. The exceptions to this rule are usually due to a certain state or country requiring more official employment status. Guides work seasonally, and only work when the tour operator gets bookings. So you’ll rarely be hired on a salary basis. Some guides do work as employees, guiding part of the time, and working in the office or doing operational activities as well.

Your earning potential largely depends on where you live.

Guiding is often seen as a service sector job, and thus is tied to the hourly wage rates in your region or city. Guides are usually paid much better in larger cities where guides are more in demand and wages and costs are higher. I live in New York City, where a guide might easily expect $40-50/hour for a tour. The same guide might be hired for $20/hr in a smaller market, and of course, pay scales change drastically in different countries around the world.

do travel guides show get paid

There are different “kinds” of tour guides, and tour companies.

Not all guides are the same, and tour companies can vary wildly, too, in terms of the kind of customer they’re catering to. (opens in a new tab) Some tour guides are simply university students looking for a little side income, or a retiree with a love for history, practically volunteering their services in a small town. Guides are often hired with the expectation that they’re also doing something else — waiting tables, working as an actor, or working on the weekends beyond their full-time job.

Then there’s the, shall we say, professional guide . The professional guide sees this job as a career, and therefore is investing in extra training, and developing marketing strategies including a personal website, offering their own tours, networking with destination organizations like a DMO or a CVB, making relationships with hotel concierges, and working for several tour operators, in addition to offering their own private tours. (opens in a new tab)

These two scenarios outline the extreme differences in tour companies and guides:

  • You’re a college student working at night for a ghost tour company that sells $15 tickets, pays you $30 a tour, and expects you to memorize a script.
  • You’re a historian by trade, with a graduate degree, and work for a high-end private tour company that sells a 3-hour private tour for $600, and pays the guide $250 for that tour. The high-end clients are wealthier, and regularly tip you $50-$100 on top of that tour.

These are two very extreme situations, but where you fall will depend largely on how much you invest in the networking, skill building, and ambition you have for this path. It’s ok to treat the job as something to pass the time, but believe me, there’s a whole world of earning potential out there for guides who have the goal of making guiding a career – but it means being entrepreneurial, creative, and ambitious!

do travel guides show get paid

What you’ll earn might partially come from tips.

The way gratuities work is different for every country, and is based on longstanding cultural practices. In the United States, where I live, guides often get paid a low hourly wage, with the expectation that guests will add to that with gratuities. When this works, it’s wonderful – a guide might make $15/hour from the operator, but an extra $100-$200 in tips, if a group of 30 people each tip $5 for example. However, the situation isn’t always that rosy. Like restaurant workers, you might have a group that undertips drastically, or doesn’t tip at all. You might have a very small group.

The balance between what the operator pays you, and what your guests pay varies greatly. Here are some example models:

  • The “free tours” concept: (opens in a new tab) you’ll pay an operator a small fee for each guest you tour (perhaps $2), and then you’ll collect 100% of the tips on top of that.
  • Minimum Wage + large group tour gratuities. You might earn $10/hr, but work for a company that books fairly large groups (20+ people) thus ensuring that some or most of them will tip you.
  • In some countries, there’s no culture or expectation for gratuities, and therefore your wage will be paid entirely by the operator, and is therefore higher.

Gratuities also depend on the kind of tour client you have. Someone who pays very little for a tour, might not treat your skills with the same monetary care as a wealthy couple on a private tour with you, where they feel like they’ve received something very special and customized.

A group of people walking through a city

Specialty skills, like languages, yield a higher wage.

It’s hard to guide in a foreign language, and the more you speak, the more marketable you are to the niches of foreign visitors (opens in a new tab) wanting a native language experience. If you live in Italy and speak Greek fluently, you may be in demand for Greek travelers looking for the comfort of their own language.

Likewise, some tour operators offer architecture tours, or advanced history tours that require a level of expertise far beyond memorizing a script. These tours often fetch a higher price because the guide is compensated more.

Your wages depend on the number of guides and licensing requirements/enforcement in your region.

Some places, like Venice or Florence, have difficult tour guide license exams, and strict policing of guiding activities in the city. This means the number of guides is limited, and if a company is hiring professional guides, then those guides can command a higher wage. On the converse, a guide working in a completely unregulated market can’t demand the same wages if there’s an oversupply of potential guides. Note that many markets technically require guide licenses, but they’re not enforced at all!

One note is that supply and demand constantly fluctuate depending on how the tourism industry is doing. During the covid pandemic, many guides left the profession, and when demand returned to some countries very quickly, operators were left scrambling to hire guides.

do travel guides show get paid

So what’s the surest way to good compensation?

Like any job, your employer wants loyalty and quality. Here are some final tips about how to improve your compensation with a tour operator:

  • Be good at your job. Take it seriously. Get quality training, always be learning and growing. (opens in a new tab) Getting excellent reviews for the company you work for is pure gold for that operator, and if you’re consistently better than the other guides, you can ask for better compensation as a result. I know many guides who do the same job as their fellow team members, but are compensated better because they’re… better.
  • Be diligent and available. Don’t show up late, don’t flake on tours at the last moment, and don’t treat the job lightly. Your employer will in turn see you as serious. Scheduling guides can be very annoying for companies, so the more you’re available and loyal to the company, the more you have the right to negotiate a better rate.
  • Get listed on guide platforms (like ToursByLocals, Travel Curious, or Withlocals). If you’re selling tours direct to customers, without the intermediary of a tour operator, then you’ll simply earn more, since those platforms might simply take a commission of 20-25%, rather than paying you a set rate and keeping the rest of the profits.
  • Be entrepreneurial. My organization teaches a class that helps guides start their own tour business. (opens in a new tab) Why? Starting a tour business is a lot of hard work, from creating a website to marketing, to developing your own tours and selling them. You might only be interested in showing up and leading tours. But starting your own business means your earning potential is limited only to your own creativity and ambition, and it’s frankly easier than ever, with online tools for selling and marketing your services. In addition, guides should see themselves as creators — leveraging social media channels, e-commerce platforms, and new platforms like self-guided mobile tours, to take their knowledge and creativity and do everything from blogging to selling merchandise to monetizing YouTube videos. The more income channels you have, the more this can turn into a real career, and a real passion.

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The accident that led to the Fren Family being cast on Travel Guides

Newcastle Travel Guides the Fren family have had Australia in stitches since they started on the Nine network show in 2017.

But mum and daughter Cathy and Victoria Fren told   Vacations & Travel   their appearance on the reality TV show was a total accident.

They never even applied.

Travel guides fren family

The Fren family, Mark (59) and Cathy (57), and their two kids Jonathon (29) and Victoria (27) owned and operated Bavarian-style restaurant Oma together for ten years.

“Because of the restaurant they actually asked Mum to audition for a cooking show,” Victoria said.

“We didn’t get on that, I don’t even think the show ever aired.”

“But 12 months later we got a call asking about a show called Travel Guides and now here we are.”

Travel guides fren family

The Fren Family matriarchs, Victoria and Cathy are well-known for being upfront. Jonathon and Mark are a bit more reserved.

But Victoria says the boys were “super keen” when Cathy pitched the Travel Guides plan to her clan.

“I mean who doesn’t love a free holiday,” Victoria said.

The Fren family have been on 38 “free holidays” to be exact. They’ve been lucky enough to travel to the most spectacular international and domestic destinations.

Travel guides fren family

Keep reading:

  • Travel Guides 2021 to take on international destinations
  • Why Stack and Mel almost missed out on the show

The Fren family on Travel Guides 2021

The Travel Guides 2021 season sees the Fren family jet Greece, South Korea, Mauritius and Cambodia.

Cathy doesn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea: “Obviously all the overseas destinations were filmed before the pandemic”.

“We started filming this season in July of 2019 and we finished somewhere around mid November that year.”

Of all the international destinations that feature on Travel Guides 2021, Cathy and Victoria say that “Hands down, Greece was our favourite.”

do travel guides show get paid

“Mykonos was party central,” Cathy said.

Victoria disagrees, taking a dig at her mum.

“No, Mum and Dad went home early, I stayed and partied way on into the morning,” she said.

It clearly hits the spot.

“What are you talking about? We have a great relationship,” jokes Cathy.

Travel guides fren family

Funny Frens

It’s clear that a great sense of humour is what keeps the Fren family so tight-knit.

They never take themselves too seriously.

“There isn’t a week if not a day that goes by where we don’t laugh about something that we’ve done,” Cathy told Vacations & Travel.

Of all the unpredictable situations the mother-daughter duo have found themselves in, they say that their ‘Mermaid Makeover’ is one they still can’t stop cracking up over.

Even though the Fren family are always up for a laugh they say that this season of Travel Guides was especially eye-opening for them.

“We got to go to Cambodia and that was a real culture shock for us because it’s a developing country. We got to see a lot of sadness there but it was really special to be able to do something like that,” Victoria said.

Travel guides fren family

Brutally honest

Although they’re always grateful to journey abroad, the Fren family take their job as travel critics very seriously.

“We always tell the truth, because we know that there are so many people out there who actually go and do the same holiday we do,” Cathy said

“If we say we like something that we didn’t and then someone goes to that destination they’ll know we were lying.”

So many Australians relate to the larrikin family. But Cathy says she was initially surprised to hear that her family was the norm.

“When I brought my family on the show, I thought we were all crazy. But after being on the show so many people told us that we’re normal. I actually can’t believe it.”

This article is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here .

Lead image © Nine Network

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Home » Budget Travel » 20 EPIC Ways to Get Paid to Travel! (2024)

20 EPIC Ways to Get Paid to Travel! (2024)

Wait… you can actually get PAID to travel!

Spoiler alert: YES!

While people have been traveling the world and making money for decades, in the past 10 years or so, travel blogging, vlogging and other forms of influencing has transformed what it means to be a working traveler.

In the age of social media, there are more ways than ever to make money on the road–but I’m not here just to tell you all about brick and mortar travel jobs.

Don’t get me wrong, those are great and we will get into them at the end, but you’re here because you want to know how to actually get PAID to travel.

And as someone currently doing this myself (as well as many members of The Broke Backpacker Team at large), you can rest assured that with a bit of patience and a whole lot of hard word, traveling really can be a career in and of itself.

The most important thing to note though is that this is anything but a get rich quick scheme , and any influencer who makes it out to be that way is lying. While everyone’s timeline is different, you’re going to want to be ready to commit for the long haul.

It was August 2018 when I first discovered this crazy career path, and after a lot of trial and error, a little bit of luck, and some serious perseverance, I’m finally making it work with multiple streams of income.

Dying to do the same? I got you! Let’s dive into 20 incredible ways that YOU can get paid to travel the world.

do travel guides show get paid

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20 Iconic Ways to Travel and Get Paid!

Starting off with epic travel jobs where you’ll literally get paid to explore the world:

1. Press Trips

When you think of getting paid to travel, what’s known in the travel world as press trips might come to mind. This is when you quite literally get paid to travel. Here’s how it works: a brand, tourism board or other organization will invite known bloggers/vloggers or travel writers to come to a specific definition in exchange for some type of coverage. 

So if you’re a freelance journalist, you’re going to be expected to place an article with a publication, whereas a well-known travel blogger might have to deliver 1-2 full-length blog posts and so on.

The best part is that in addition to being paid, you also get a completely free trip! The only downside is that, unlike some of the other methods, you’re going to have to build up a sizeable following or portfolio before you start getting invites.

How much does it pay?

  • Up to $10,000

2. Brand Partnerships

Monarc backpack duffel hybrid

Another way to make money as a travel influencer is by doing brand partnerships. This is when a brand will reach out to you and ask you to create content about a specific product or their company as a whole.

Brand partnerships can range from $100 to well over $10,000 depending on your audience size and notoriety. When you’re just starting out, brands may ask you to do a review for free in exchange for a product or service.

This is great to build your portfolio, but once you’ve got a few under your belt, stop working for free and charge a fee!

  • Up to $10,000 or more per campaign though can start at $0

3. Affiliate Marketing

One of the two main ways that travel bloggers (or bloggers in general) make money is through the magical world of affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is, essentially, when you promote a product or service to your audience and then make a commission off each and every sale.

Like almost every lucrative way to make money on the road, there’s a major learning curve, but once you know what your doing (and your audience is large enough) affiliate marketing can make you bank. You’ll just need a solid travel laptop to get going.

If you’re new, Amazon Affiliates and Booking.com are two of the best programs to start with. Though you might start off with pennies at first, I promise you’ll always remember the moment you made your very sale!

  • Up to $20,000 per month or more

4. Destination Campaigns

Bhutan travel diaries while getting paid to do a destination campaign

Destination campaigns are similar to brand deals but instead of promoting a product or a brand, you’ll be tasked with promoting an entire destination . Tourism boards typically run these types of collaborations, and usually work with travel bloggers, travel video creators, or travel writers.

A good destination campaign will not just provide you with free accommodation and activities, but they’ll also pay you for your work. Such proposals should give you a formal contract in advance and make it clear what deliverables they expect.

These days deliverables can be anything from Reels, TikToks and other social media posts, to blog articles or reported stories commissioned in advance by a publication.

  • $500-$10,000+

5. Display Advertising

Ah, display advertising . It’s about as close to passive income as you can get these days, and is the ultimate goal for most travel bloggers. The way it works is simple–once you join an ad company, your blog will be fitted with ads that pay a certain amount per every 1000 views.

The exact amount will vary widely depending on where your readers are from (US-based views pay the most), how many you have, and which ad company you’re with.

These days, Mediavine is the holy grail of ad companies, and many bloggers make a full-time income from their high RPMs. Once you reach 50,000 sessions per month on your blog, you can count on making about $400/month with them at the bare minimum.

AdThrive has an even higher threshold at 100,000 sessions per month, while other companies like Ezoic, Monumetric, and SheMedia have lower bars to entry, but have their own respective issues.

While meeting the requirements of top companies can take several years, successful blogs can easily make 5 figures a month.

  • $200-$40,000+

Youtube can be incredibly lucrative once you get enough subscribers. While it’s certainly not easy to get a channel off the ground, this is one of the absolute best ways to get paid to travel if you ask me.

To get started, you’ll first have to meet Youtube’s monetization requirements which currently want creators to have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time within 365 days. Unsurprisingly, the watch hours are the more difficult aspect of the requirement.

do travel guides show get paid

Travel vloggers these days can make well into the 6-figure range, and once you add in brand deals, you might end up having more cash flow than you even know what to do with.

The caveat is that vlogging and Youtube in general is HARD, and the competition only increases week after week. But with time and consistency, you can make it happen. It really is true that just one viral video can change your life.

While Youtube tends to love more raw and authentic content these days, the world of videography is a big one. If you’ve got a knack for filming and editing, you can edit videos for other vloggers or even find yourself creating cinematic scenes for companies or brands.

  • $200-$10,000+

7. Digital Products

Another way to make money while you travel is by selling your own digital products. Of course, you’re going to need an audience for this, but once you have one, this is another stream of income to look into.

The most common type of digital products these days include E-Books and courses. E-books are short, online-only books that are kind of like blog posts on steroids. You can create one pretty easily with services like Canva and then sell them to your readers/subscribers for around $10-$20.

If you’re truly an expert at something that you can share with others, courses are another way to go. Not every niche is fit for a course, but you’d be surprised that everything from affiliate marketing tips to solo backpacking can be turned into a profitable product.

  • $10-$600+ per purchase

8. Freelance Photography

become a freelance photographer in wilderness get paid to travel

While sometimes they go hand in hand, freelance travel photography is quite different from writing or other types of content creation, with an arguably bigger bar to entry. Freelance photographers get paid for their photos the way writers do for their articles, though there are other ways to make money with your camera as well.

Shooting for travel-related brands or orgs is a big one, as is photographing for athletes or influencers. If you’re just getting started, a high-quality travel camera in addition to a neat portfolio are going to be the most important things to consider.

Freelance photographers can also make money by selling their photos either directly or via platforms like Shutterstock. I wouldn’t count on this route though as it’s not very reliable month by month. As a photographer, building up a decent social media presence will also be important, though not make or break if your work is good enough.

  • Extremely variable, but up to several thousand for a project

9. Freelance Writing/Journalism

Perhaps my favorite way to make money from my travels is via freelance writing and journalism. This is when you get paid to write an article for a publication. I’ve been doing freelance writing for over two years now, and let me tell you, nothing beats the feeling of landing a pitch you really want to write.

A pitch is basically an email to an editor detailing a story/piece you’d like to write for them. Rejections and non-responses are incredibly common in the freelance world, but it really is true that the more you pitch, the better your odds of landing a story are.

There is a distinct difference between freelance writing and journalism though–while the former includes narratives and the types of articles you’d associate with blogs, journalism requires significantly more work. 

You’ll typically have to interview more than one source, and ensure you have a strong angle. I personally recommend building up your portfolio with SEO/narrative-style pieces before delving into the complex world of travel journalism.

  • $150-$2000/article

10. Run your own tours

are the mountains safe pakistan

Are you an expert in a specific destination? Then why not lead your own adventure tours? I’m not going to lie, this can be quite tricky to get off the ground without a large audience and/or connections.

But once you get started, it can be incredibly lucrative, especially in countries that are quite cheap to begin with. The only downside is that running tours is incredibly labor intensive and requires a whole lot of social interaction that other travel jobs do not. 

  • Up to $20,000 or more per tour

11. Virtual Administration

Are you a social media pro? Why not run brands’ accounts or do other tasks for influencers or website owners?

The work of virtual admin-ing is a big one, and it’s by far the most versatile way to get paid to travel. VA’s are often the backbone of a good website, and being one can definitely fund your digital nomad lifestyle .

As there’s so much that you can do as a virtual assistant, here are a few common tasks to get you thinking about what skills you have to offer:

  • Creating pins and running a Pinterest account
  • Formatting blog posts
  • Posting on social media for a brand/influencer
  • Doing basic edits of Youtube videos
  • Managing databases and spreadsheets
  • Responding to/sending emails
  • Answering phone calls or social media messages
  • Extremely variable depending on your clients and hours, but anywhere from $100-$5000+ per month

12. Website design/development

Becoming proficient at website design isn’t for the faint of heart…but for those with natural skills or anyone willing to put in the work, it can pay very well. Plus you can do it from anywhere!

Website designers do exactly what the job name says: they design websites. To do this, you’re going to have to learn CSS, HTML, and Javascript and you’ll certainly want to be comfortable with programs like Photoshop.

After you’ve mastered all that, a portfolio site is another essential to attract clients and get paid. Like many other types of freelancing, you’ll want to get comfortable with cold emails to get your first clients.

But once you get started, you can charge hefty prices for what will soon become relatively easy tasks.

  • $500 – $10,000+ per project

13. …Any Other Remote Job

guy sitting on a cliff edge with computer

Getting paid to travel doesn’t mean you NEED a travel-focused job! Any remote job that allows you to work from anywhere is good enough. While you won’t be getting paid for the actual traveling you’re doing, you’ll still be able to travel as much as you want AND get paid.

So still a win-win situation!

Stable digital nomad jobs –where you’re often an employee instead of a freelancer–might pay more to start, but often have location restrictions. Your best bet is finding one that doesn’t care where you are as long as the work is getting done.

Anything from online translation to a remote engineering job could fit the bill!

  • Extremely variable, but up to 6 figures

Psssst…. Searching for your Tribe?

do travel guides show get paid

Tribal Hostel – Bali’s first purpose-built co-working hostel and perhaps the greatest hostel in the world!

An ideal hub for Digital Nomads and backpackers, this very special hostel is now finally open…

Come on down and enjoy amazing coffee, high-speed wifi and a game of pool 😉

Other Epic Ways to Travel and Get Paid!

While all of the above typically relate to the general realm of digital nomadism, there are a whole lot of other more traditional travel jobs that will allow you to work abroad and explore the world.

14. Teach English Abroad

backpacking Malaysia budget travel guide

Teaching English online is all the wave these days, as it should be. You can make you own schedule, and work from ANYWHERE you can find a stable internet connection. But that’s not all–from Pakistan to Japan, there are plenty of foreign schools that are keen to hire foreign English teachers to teach in person.

Many of these packages are quite lucrative–salaries are more than enough to live (and save) on, accommodation is often free, AND you get to do a ton of exploring in your free time. Keep in mind that most of these positions will require at least a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate.

If you happen to have a Masters, you can expect even more $$$ to come your way!

  • Up to $3000 (or slightly more) per month

15. Work At a Hostel

Working at an epic hostel has long been a favorite gig for long-term travelers. It’s fun, usually includes free accommodation, and is an epic way to really get to know a destination. Do keep in mind that the pay might not be great, but it certainly can be more than enough to live on.

You’ll also get to meet fellow travelers and hone all types of skills–working at a digital nomad hostel might be your best bet if you’re looking to follow that path and find some inspiration.

  • Anywhere from $0 (but free food and stay) to $2000 or more/month

16. Teach yoga!

do travel guides show get paid

Are you a certified and somewhat talented yogi?

Then you might be able to teach yoga abroad. You’ll be able to teach yoga all over the world–and there are some particularly incredible ones in India and other parts of Asia. But opportunities can be found literally ANYWHERE.

Nowadays, virtual yoga is IN meaning some teachers have been able to turn their practice into a nomadic lifestyle. You can go about this through Instagram, Tiktok or even a blog, but know you’ll have to work hard to stand out from the rest.

There are of course some downsides though such as:

  • Digital competition

Even so, if you love yoga and you love places like Southeast Asia , you’ll love life as a traveling yoga teacher.

  • Anywhere from $100-$2000+

17. Working Holiday Visa

One of the most popular ways to work, travel AND save money for travel, is a working holiday visa! Several countries offer these visas to nationals of other mostly western countries. Typically, it allows you to easily obtain employment for up to a year and sometimes more.

Working holidays in Australia are particularly popular, though you’ll also find opportunities in Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and beyond!

  • $1000+ per month

18. Work on a yacht

Luxury Sports Yacht

While TV shows may make it look glamorous, yacht work is WORK, so if you go this route, be prepared for that. But if you’re ready to put in the hours, then the world’s most incredible tropical destinations await.

You’ll also get to meet people from around the world real well, as you’ll be spending so much time with your coworkers.

  • $1200+ per month

19. Busking

As one of the world’s oldest professions, busking just had to make the list. If you’ve got some type of musical talent, get out there and put on a street show. If you’re actually skilled, you might be in for some pretty sick tips.

Do some research beforehand to make sure you’re in the best area. And really put on a show. It’s busking 101 that enthusiasm and smiles (combined with talent) can pay for a few days on the road.

  • $300-1000+ per month

20. Flight Attendant

do travel guides show get paid

Last but not least is the most well-known travel job is one you should already be very familiar with. Flight attendants obviously get paid to travel, but that also means very long hours on your feet and dealing with all kinds of passengers.

You might have to change time zones frequently, which could mess with sleep patterns. Even so, the perks are incredible and include free travel, weeks off at a time, and long layovers where you can get to know different cities.

The pay is pretty great too!

  • Up to $100,000 per year

Getting Insured BEFORE Getting Paid to Travel

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

do travel guides show get paid

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Ready to Get Paid to Travel?

Getting paid to travel really is as epic as it sounds. Freebies in exchange for social media posts is just one way you can travel for free and get paid. Luckily, there are many other ways to make travel your career, and my best advice is to focus on what you love.

If the passion is there, you’ll make it happen! And out of all the travel jobs I’ve listed, there’s got to be at least one that appeals to you!

Get to researching and make a plan today–a life that combines work and travel can and will be yours.

nanga parbat in fairy meadows pakistan

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Samantha Shea

Samantha Shea

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Wow, there’s so many different ways to get paid to travel! I knew about some of these, but other options surprised me as well. Definitely going to do some more of my own research now.

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Here’s How Much Each Reality Show Pays Its Stars In Case Yr Considering Signing Yr Soul Away

do travel guides show get paid

We’ve gone through all the rumours and receipts to see what each show allegedly pays their cast to make fools of themselves on national telly.

Do bear in mind that this is based on tea from industry insiders and gossip reports, not actual facts, so sprinkle each spec of intel with a grain of salt, ploise.

Also, there are instances where contestants went rogue and spilled their salary deets on social media and in spicy interviews, but remember that payments do vary from person to person, depending on their bargaining skillz and star power etc.

The Bachelor (contestants)

The 2020 cast of The Bachelor

The absolute bottom of the barrel here is The Bachelor which apparently pays their contestants less than $100 a day, which will buy you shit all in this economy.

An anonymous ex-contestant told News Corp that “you don’t get paid a wage as such, you get given a weekly expense allowance which is under $100 a day. It is below minimum wage.”

“It’s ridiculous what you get paid. A lot of the girls were excited to get that amount a week, but I was like ‘are you serious I wouldn’t get out of bed for that,’” they claimed.

This year was a slight step-up, however, as according to   the  So Dramatic! podcast,  the gals were offered an additional $5000 if they handed over their IG passwords and didn’t drop any spoilers until a specified date.

Even with that bonus, they’re still the worst of the lot. Will I accept this rose? Yeah, nah.

MAFS reunion

Coming in at a close second-lowest is another trashfire dating show, MAFS .

In a spicy Q&A on Instagram , former contestant Telv Williams revealed that “you get paid $150 dollars a day, tax free. It’s shit, it’s rubbish. Everything is off your own fucking back.”

Meanwhile on the MAFS reunion , the payments ranged from $3,000 for the two-day shoot (which the idiotic Nasser Sultan accepted without question because he was so desperate to get back on TV) to $40,000 (!!!) which Davina Rankin was offered but turned down because she didn’t want a fucken’ bar of it, according to the  So Dramatic!  podcast .

Bachelor In Paradise

bachelor in paradise

Next up is Bachelor In Paradise whose contestants, according to So Dramatic! host Megan Pustetto , “are paid $500 a day .”

“Some contestants were able to bargain and get $1,000 a day… and then people like  Keira [Maguire] can demand more,” she said on a previous episode.

“I heard Keira’s fee was close to $50,000, but honestly that’s just a rumour and not confirmed because contract negotiations are very confidential,” she claimed.

The host also alleged that garbage fire former couple  Richie Strahan  and  Alex Nation  were paid $4,000 a day for their appearance on the  Bachie  spinoff show last year.

“One contestant offered to do the show for free,” Megan added about last year’s season, keeping said individual’s name under wraps and I would pay GOOD money to find out who the fuck that was.

Celebrity Apprentice

do travel guides show get paid

The Celebrity Apprentice salaries leaked to New Idea yesterday and I bloody love it when that happens. The goss rag claims “tension grew on set” when it was rumoured that designer  Camilla Franks was “paid the least” of all the cast.

Not sure how much that is, but for context, Biggest Loser  fitness queen  Michelle Bridges  and radio dude  Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli scored $50,000 each – the highest salaries of the cast.

Meanwhile  The Veronicas’ Lisa  and  Jess Origliasso  are said to have made a combined $60,000.

And finally,  Australian Idol  bloke  Anthony Callea , comedian  Ross Noble  and  The Block  judge  Shaynna Blaze are believed to have made $30,000 each for their stint on the show.

Bear in mind though that a large chunk of dosh goes to charity, so they were aware that they’d be earning a lil less for a good cause.

SAS Australia

do travel guides show get paid

Next up is tough shit reality TV show  SAS Australia who, according to the Daily Mail , feed their celebrity guests somewhere between $30,000 and $100,000 for their entire tenure on the show.

The publication estimated that some stars are copping towards the higher end of that dosh due to demands, while others are earning much less.

Meanwhile according to New Idea, Schapelle Corby copped almost double that, compared to the rest of the cast. Allegedly, she is sitting at $80,000 – $100,000 which is pretty damn swanky, especially considering, let’s face it, her celebrity status was earned from less conventional means.

The Bachelor (lead dudes)

do travel guides show get paid

The leading lads and ladies of dating reality TV franchise The Bachelor  obvs score more dough than contestants and returning cast members on its spinoff show, Bachelor In Paradise.

For instance, Matty J , who competed on Georgia Love’s season of The Bachelorette , is rumoured to have pocketed $200,000 for his gig on The Bachelor .

The Bachelorette (lead gals)

do travel guides show get paid

The third highest paying reality TV show is reportedly The Bachelorette , as Brisbane’s Courier Mail claim that Aussie music royalty Sophie Monk scored a whopping $300,000 for her season.

Network Ten declined to comment on the salary rumours (which are still just rumours at this stage), but an “industry insider” told the Courier that “Sophie will earn a lot more (than previous bachelors and bachelorettes) because her management would have negotiated well.”

Get that bread, sis.

Big Brother VIP

Big Brother VIP

As if it’s not infuriating enough that overseas celebs were allowed to enter the country during a pandemic, just wait ’til ya see how much they were allegedly paid for Big Brother VIP .

A sneaky insider told  New Idea that Caitlyn Jenner copped a whopping $500k for her brief stint on the show, while MAFS star Jessika Power copped a measly $20,000 (screaming!).

Thomas Markle Jr , who is refusing to leave the country, also copped a three-figure deal.

As for Katie Hopkins , she was supposed to receive $200,000, but after making an absolute tool of herself in hotel quarantine and being booted out of the country, she won’t be seeing jack shit .

An unnamed senior executive at Channel Seven told the  Sydney Morning Herald that Hopkins “won’t get a cent more” than the expenses she copped to travel here, like flights and hotel fees. Suck shit, Katie.

The Masked Singer (judges)

do travel guides show get paid

And coming it at numero uno is competition reality TV show  The Masked Singer whose judges were paid big, big, BIG bucks.

It was initially rumoured that radio ledge Jackie O was the highest paid of the judges, sitting in at $1M but an insider later told New Idea that those rumours were BS and that “ Dannii [Minogue] would flip if it were true.”

Apparently Dannii Minogue earned the highest salary of the four judges , and is on an absolutely crazy $500,000. According to the source she got the “Channel 10 special treatment” with first class flights for her and her son, so they could travel from LA to Australia before the start of filming. Wow.

As for Jackie O’s actual wage, she is said to be earning on par with old mate  ‘Hughesy’ . Both are rumoured to be on $250,000 each. Newcomer  Urzila Carlson  is said to be earning $100,000 for the season.

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How Travel Agents Get Paid (Explained in Simple Terms)

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How Travel Agents Get Paid

Planning a trip can be a lot of work, and it’s easy to see why people would want to hire a travel agent to help them out. Travel agents can take care of everything from booking flights and hotels to securing transportation and activities. But how do travel agents get paid?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the different ways that travel agents earn their income. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of using a travel agent, so you can decide if it’s the right option for you.

There are three main ways that travel agents get paid:

  • Commissions: Travel agents typically earn a commission from the airlines, hotels, and other travel providers that they book through. The commission is a percentage of the total cost of the trip, and it can range from 5% to 20%.
  • Markups: Some travel agents mark up the prices of the travel products that they sell. This means that they charge you more than the actual cost of the trip. The markup is typically around 10%, but it can be higher or lower depending on the agent.
  • Fees: Some travel agents charge a flat fee for their services. This fee can range from $50 to $200, and it typically covers the agent’s time and effort in planning and booking your trip.

Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent

There are both pros and cons to using a travel agent. Here are a few things to consider before you decide whether or not to use one:

  • Convenience: Travel agents can take care of all the details of your trip, so you can relax and enjoy the planning process.
  • Expertise: Travel agents have a lot of experience in the travel industry, and they can help you find the best deals on flights, hotels, and other travel products.
  • Personalized service: Travel agents can work with you to create a custom itinerary that fits your budget and interests.
  • Cost: Travel agents can be expensive, especially if you’re using a high-end agency.
  • Conflicts of interest: Travel agents may be tempted to book you on flights or hotels that give them the highest commission, even if it’s not the best option for you.
  • Lack of transparency: Some travel agents may not be upfront about their fees or commissions.

Whether or not you use a travel agent is a personal decision. There are pros and cons to both options, so you need to weigh them carefully before you make a decision. If you’re still not sure, you can always get quotes from a few different agents and compare them to see which one offers the best value for your money.

Travel agents are paid in a variety of ways, including commissions, fees, and salary. Commissions are the most common form of compensation, and they are paid by airlines, hotels, and other travel providers. Fees are another way that travel agents earn money, and they are charged to clients for services such as booking flights, hotels, and rental cars. Some travel agents also receive a salary, which is typically paid by a travel agency or tour operator.

In this article, we will discuss how travel agents get paid, including commissions, fees, and salary. We will also explore the different types of commissions and fees that travel agents earn, and how these payments are calculated. Finally, we will discuss the impact of commissions and fees on travel agent compensation.

Commissions

Commissions are the most common form of compensation for travel agents. They are paid by airlines, hotels, and other travel providers when a travel agent books a reservation for a client. The amount of commission that a travel agent earns is typically based on the cost of the trip. For example, a travel agent might earn a commission of 10% on the cost of a flight or a hotel room.

There are a few different types of commissions that travel agents earn. Base commissions are the most common type, and they are paid on the sale of a travel product or service. Incremental commissions are paid on top of base commissions, and they are typically based on the number of additional products or services that a travel agent sells. Override commissions are paid to travel agents who refer clients to other travel agents.

Commissions are typically calculated by the travel provider. The travel provider will send the travel agent a commission statement that shows the amount of commissions that were earned on each booking. The travel agent can then deposit the commissions into their bank account.

In addition to commissions, travel agents can also earn money by charging fees to their clients. These fees can be charged for a variety of services, such as booking flights, hotels, and rental cars. The amount of the fee will vary depending on the service that is being provided.

There are a few different types of fees that travel agents charge. Booking fees are charged when a travel agent books a reservation for a client. Service fees are charged for services that a travel agent provides, such as providing advice or assistance with a booking. Cancellation fees are charged when a client cancels a reservation.

Travel agents can charge fees to their clients in a variety of ways. They can charge a flat fee for each service that they provide, or they can charge a percentage of the cost of the trip. The travel agent can also choose to waive fees for certain clients, such as those who are repeat customers or those who book large trips.

Some travel agents receive a salary rather than commissions or fees. This is typically the case for travel agents who work for a travel agency or tour operator. The salary will vary depending on the company and the level of experience of the travel agent.

Travel agents who receive a salary are typically responsible for generating their own leads and booking their own clients. They may also be required to sell other products or services, such as insurance or travel accessories.

Impact of commissions and fees on travel agent compensation

The amount of commissions and fees that a travel agent earns can have a significant impact on their compensation. Travel agents who earn a high percentage of commissions on their bookings can make a good living. However, travel agents who earn a low percentage of commissions or who do not generate enough business may not be able to make a living wage.

The impact of commissions and fees on travel agent compensation can also vary depending on the type of travel agent. Travel agents who work for a travel agency or tour operator typically earn a salary, which is not affected by the amount of commissions or fees that they earn. However, independent travel agents who work on commission typically earn a higher percentage of commissions than those who work for a travel agency or tour operator.

Travel agents are paid in a variety of ways, including commissions, fees, and salary. The amount of commissions and fees that a travel agent earns can have a significant impact on their compensation. Travel agents who earn a high percentage of commissions on their bookings can make a good living. However, travel agents who earn a low percentage of commissions or who do not generate enough business may not be able to make a living wage.

1. Commissions

How travel agents earn commissions from airlines, hotels, and other travel providers

Travel agents earn commissions from airlines, hotels, and other travel providers when they book a reservation for a client. The amount of commission that a travel agent earns is typically based on the cost of the trip. For example, a travel agent might earn a commission of 10% on the cost

3. Other Sources of Revenue

In addition to commissions from booking travel, travel agents generate revenue from a variety of other sources, including:

  • Insurance sales: Travel agents often earn commissions on insurance policies that they sell to their clients. These policies can include trip cancellation insurance, medical insurance, and baggage insurance.
  • Marketing: Travel agents can earn revenue by marketing their services to potential clients. This can be done through online advertising, social media, and offline marketing methods, such as print advertising and direct mail.
  • Consulting: Travel agents can also earn revenue by providing consulting services to their clients. This can include helping clients plan their trips, choose the right destinations, and book the best deals.

The importance of diversification

It is important for travel agents to diversify their revenue streams in order to protect themselves from fluctuations in the travel industry. For example, if commissions from travel bookings decline, travel agents can still generate revenue from insurance sales, marketing, and consulting.

4. The Future of Travel Agent Compensation

The travel industry is constantly changing, and the way that travel agents are compensated is no exception. In recent years, technology has had a major impact on the travel industry, and this has led to changes in the way that travel agents are paid.

  • The impact of technology on travel agent compensation

Technology has made it easier for consumers to book their own travel arrangements. This has led to a decline in the number of travel agents, and it has also put pressure on travel agents to reduce their commissions.

In order to compete with online travel agencies, travel agents are increasingly using technology to provide their services. For example, travel agents can use online booking tools to help their clients book their travel arrangements. They can also use social media to market their services and to connect with potential clients.

  • The challenges and opportunities facing travel agents in the future

The travel industry is facing a number of challenges, including:

  • The rise of online travel agencies: Online travel agencies have made it easier for consumers to book their own travel arrangements, which has led to a decline in the number of travel agents.
  • The changing needs of consumers: The needs of consumers are changing, and travel agents need to adapt their services in order to meet these changing needs.
  • The impact of technology: Technology is changing the way that travel agents do business, and travel agents need to embrace technology in order to remain competitive.

Despite these challenges, there are also a number of opportunities for travel agents in the future. These include:

  • The growth of the travel industry: The travel industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, which will create new opportunities for travel agents.
  • The increasing demand for personalized travel services: Consumers are increasingly looking for personalized travel services, and travel agents are well-positioned to provide these services.
  • The growth of the luxury travel market: The luxury travel market is growing, and travel agents can tap into this market by providing high-end travel services.

The travel agent industry is changing rapidly, and the way that travel agents are compensated is changing with it. Travel agents need to be aware of these changes and adapt their businesses accordingly in order to remain competitive.

How do travel agents get paid?

Travel agents typically earn a commission on the sale of travel products, such as flights, hotels, and car rentals. The commission is typically a percentage of the total cost of the sale, and it is paid by the travel supplier (i.e., the airline, hotel, or car rental company).

How much do travel agents get paid?

The commission that travel agents earn varies depending on the type of travel product sold and the travel supplier. In general, commissions range from 5% to 15% of the total cost of the sale.

Do travel agents get paid if a customer cancels their trip?

Yes, travel agents typically get paid a commission even if a customer cancels their trip. However, the amount of the commission may be reduced or forfeited if the cancellation is made close to the departure date.

What are the benefits of using a travel agent?

There are many benefits to using a travel agent, including:

  • Expert advice: Travel agents can provide expert advice on the best destinations, travel deals, and ways to save money.
  • Convenience: Travel agents can handle all of the details of your trip, from booking flights and hotels to arranging transportation and activities.
  • Peace of mind: Travel agents can help you avoid problems and ensure that your trip goes smoothly.

How do I find a good travel agent?

There are a few things you can do to find a good travel agent, including:

  • Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have used a travel agent.
  • Read online reviews of travel agents.
  • Contact a few different travel agents and interview them to see if they are a good fit for you.

What questions should I ask a travel agent before booking a trip?

There are a few important questions you should ask a travel agent before booking a trip, including:

  • What types of travel products do you specialize in?
  • How long have you been in the business?
  • What are your commission rates?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • What is your customer service policy?

By asking these questions, you can make sure that you are working with a reputable travel agent who can help you plan a successful trip.

there are many different ways that travel agents get paid. The most common is through commissions, which are a percentage of the total cost of the trip. Other methods of compensation include flat fees, rebates, and referral fees. The best way for a travel agent to get paid is to find a commission structure that works for them and their clients. By understanding the different ways that travel agents get paid, consumers can make informed decisions about who they use to book their travel.

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You can now apply to be on the next season of 'Travel Guides'

  • 27 Mar 2018

Have you ever been sitting on your lounge watching Travel Guides and thought, 'I could do this'? Well here is your chance!

The reality show which sees everyday holidayers act as travel critics has been renewed for a third season, and is now casting for all new guides. 

To apply, you must have 2-4 people who want to form your group, be able to travel between July and October this year, be Australian citizens and one group member has to be at least 21 years old.

travel guides casting

Travel Guides in Bali

If you or someone you know would like to apply, head to www.travelguidestv.com.au.  Applications close at midnight on Sunday, April 22, 2018.

Filming will begin later this year!

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Travel Advisor Resources

Travel Agent Commission: How Does it Work?

Fora Author Fora Travel

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/travel-agent-commission

Not sure how a travel agent commission works? Is it the only way travel agents and advisors earn income? Here, we break it down for you.

Want to start earning income for your passion? Apply to become a Fora Advisor and kick off the ultimate career in travel.

How do travel agent commissions work?

A supplier — hotels, rental car agencies and so on — pays a travel agent commission for making a reservation on behalf of a client (or group of clients; here’s why group bookings are great ). The amount is typically a percentage of whatever the service costs, and can vary widely depending on the type of booking. 

(Curious about how to become a travel agent in the first place? Our guide has all the intel you need.)

Who pays a travel agent commission?

Hotels are the most common suppliers travel agents work with. But there are also rental car agencies, airlines, tour operators and much more. 

Many businesses recognize the value in paying a facilitator to book their services for a client and treat travel agent commissions the same way they might advertising costs. You’ll sometimes even find that event venues, especially in places like Las Vegas, and businesses that are adjacent to travel also offer commissions to travel agents.

What’s a typical travel agent commission?

For hotels, five to 10 percent is about average. For other suppliers, it changes with the service and brand. Broadly, travel agent commission percentages run anywhere from one to twenty percent.

(P.S. Wondering how much travel agents make per booking ? Check out our guide.)

Do travel agents charge more on top of a commission?

Travel agent commission rates are typically set in stone. That being said, commissions are not the only way travel agents make money. Most remote travel agents offer custom itinerary building and other planning services as well. The exact amount varies by travel agent, but many Fora Advisors charge a fee per week of travel planned. 

Intrigued by the idea of building custom travel itineraries and getting paid for it? Apply to become a Fora Advisor .

( How much do travel agents make ? What’s the typical Fora travel advisor salary ? Our guides have help answer these questions.)

Do travel agents get paid for things like selling travel insurance, too? What else counts as commissionable revenue?

Absolutely. Selling travel insurance not only makes sense for the client (especially for more expensive trips), but it can also be a great way to boost your commissionable income.

As for other sources of travel agent commissions, our guide to all the types of bookings you can make as a Fora Advisor has more details.

Are there different types of travel agent commissions?

Technically, there are three different types of commissions travel agents encounter, although only two are common.

Standard commissions

Standard commissions are what we’ve covered thus far. They represent a small percentage, usually between five and 10 percent of the total sale (before tax, if applicable). 

With few exceptions, standard commissions are most favored by travel agents because they usually offer the most value, and come at no additional cost to the client.

Flat commission rates

Flat commission rates are set amounts that hotels and other suppliers pay travel agents for bookings. These rates are independent of the total cost the client is paying, so regardless of when the service is provided, the agent is earning the same amount. This essentially negates any potential boost to the commission if the client is staying during a popular period, when hotels usually raise prices.

There can be some nuance to flat rates, though. For example, a hotel may pay per hotel room so the agent at least earns more for a larger booking. 

These types of rates are most common in Europe, particularly among older hotels, and you won’t often encounter them with domestic travel.

Tiered commission rates

Tiered commission rates are fairly uncommon for travel agents to encounter; they’re much more popular among other careers in travel and tourism and are typically paid by wholesalers rather than individual suppliers. 

With tiered rates, t he commission rate changes with the number of tickets sold for a service, which might be a group tour, cruise or hotel block. 

On the flip side, travel agents at the top of their game may be more likely to encounter these types of commissions, usually in the context of large group bookings or corporate events (learn how to master the art of group bookings ). 

Usually this type of travel agent commission isn’t something new agents need to worry about.

Travel agent commission FAQs

Have more questions about travel agent commissions or adjacent topics? We have answers.

How else do travel agents make money?

As mentioned earlier, travel agents can also charge fees for planning itineraries. It’s also not unheard of for agents to charge extra fees for large group bookings since these require more time to orchestrate — which brings up an important point: the best travel agents don’t charge their clients arbitrary fees; there should be justification for the extra costs.

Between commissions and planning fees, you can see why travel agents are among the more lucrative jobs in the travel industry .

What percentage of a commission do travel agents usually get? Is Fora different?

Five to 10 percent is a normal travel agent commission. Fora Advisors do occasionally earn a higher commission for booking certain partner hotels because of our supplier relationships. 

Sound intriguing? Apply to become a Fora Advisor .

How much can you charge as a travel agent to use your services?

This varies by advisor and the exact service provided. People in some travel agent jobs or travel agent niches charge higher fees. For example, luxury travel advisors may have higher fees because they’re offering an elevated degree of service. Essentially, discerning clients pay more for the white-glove treatment. The same can also be said for corporate travel agents .

(Learn how to become a luxury travel agent .)

Does a vacation cost more if someone books through a travel agent?

One of the myths about booking through a travel agent is that they always upsell the price of the trip. In reality, advisors are paid by the hotel, so having an advisor book your accommodations comes at no extra cost to the client.

(BTW: check out the myths about becoming a travel advisor .)

Can you make a living off commissions as a travel agent? Do all travel agents rely on commissions?

You can certainly turn travel advising into a full-time career, as many of our advisors have.

(Looking for tips for how to be a successful travel advisor ? Read our guide.)

Do all host agencies take a percentage of a travel agent’s commission?

This is standard practice in the industry, and typically helps fund the host agency’s services. In Fora’s case, this percentage goes toward maintaining Fora profiles, our proprietary booking platform, supplier partnerships and so much more. Fora takes a 30% slice, then 20% once advisors have reached a certain bookings threshold (which is a far lower percentage than industry standard).

Our guide to how much it costs to become a travel agent has more details.

How does a commission pay schedule work at most host agencies? How does Fora handle this?

Travel agent commissions are typically paid by the supplier after the client uses their service (e.g., after they stay at the hotel or return a rental car). Across the industry, it’s unfortunately common for some hotels and other suppliers to drag their feet when it comes to paying out commissions (check out how travel agents get paid to learn more).

At Fora, we support our advisors and invoice hotels for you, allowing you to focus on the fun parts of the job. In other words, we worry about chasing commissions and getting you paid, so you don't have to.

(Curious about other reasons to become a Fora Advisor ? Hear it from our existing travel advisors.)

How is the commission rate usually determined for travel agents?

Travel agent commissions are usually set long before the agent ever enters the picture. This often comes down to a private agreement between a host agency (like Fora) and the supplier. 

In rare cases, usually involving independent or new hotels that don’t have an existing commission policy, a travel advisor may be able to negotiate a commission rate.

Are commissions calculated before or after taxes?

Travel agent commissions are calculated before taxes, as the latter is money the supplier doesn’t actually see.

Can suppliers’ commission rates change?

Certainly, though existing bookings typically aren’t affected, perhaps unless they’re part of a promotion. 

Do online travel agencies (OTAs) charge suppliers commissions?

Yes, like you wouldn’t believe. Whereas travel advisors charge hotels between five and 10 percent commission on average, online travel agencies like Expedia and Booking.com charge suppliers as much as 30 percent commission. 

It’s one of the reasons suppliers much prefer their bookings come from travel advisors — and why Fora Advisors can offer awesome perks at the coolest hotels around the world.

Ready to start earning travel agent commission? Become a Fora Advisor

Can’t wait to earn your first travel agent commission? Apply to become a Fora Advisor today and get your travel career rolling.

Alternatively, check out these travel advisor resources if you’re still testing the waters:

How Long Does It Take to Become a Travel Agent?  

How to Become a Travel Agent Online: Fora's Full Guide  

How Do Travel Agents Get Clients? Fora's Top 5 Tips  

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent  

Travel Agent Training Guide: What are Your Options?  

Book a Cruise With a Virgin Voyages Travel Agent  

Is Being a Travel Agent Worth It? Fora Discuses the Pros & Cons

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

do travel guides show get paid

Get Paid To Travel: 5 Ways To Travel While Making Money

G etting paid to travel might seem like some kind of idyllic fantasy, but it may be more within your reach than you realize. The line between working in travel and getting paid to vacation is a thin one, but there are a few creative ways to get paid to travel. While there’s still no such thing as a free lunch, these opportunities offer the best chance to see the world while earning some dough in the process.

Read: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS

Get Paid To Travel: 5 Best Ways

Sometimes daily work can be difficult, but when the globe is your office, you may feel like you never worked a day in your life. Here are five amazing ways to get paid to travel:

  • Work as a travel blogger
  • Teach English
  • Become a social media influencer
  • Work on a cruise ship
  • Organize a group trip

Whether you enlist in a full-time travel job or are just looking to do some traveling long-term, you can play to your strengths on the road and get paid to travel the world.

1. Work as a Travel Blogger

If you have skills with a camera or the written word, you can look into how to publish some of the blog posts you create as a digital nomad. Not only can you earn money by following your passion for travel blogging but you could also get access to some top-of-the-line VIP packages offered by hotels and resorts across the world. 

You can start by researching companies that align with the style of your content. Try to reach out in a personal way — generic contact forms are great but they don’t usually set you up for a payday success.

2. Teach English

Becoming an English teacher abroad is another way to earn a salary while immersed in a foreign culture. If you don’t mind public speaking and are confident in your communication skills, the fastest route to a teaching job is obtaining a certificate. Look for one of the following programs:

  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
  • Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

These certificates can be obtained by taking a short course. Here are some key takeaways to know:

  • Although you can teach with a basic certificate, to earn a professional accreditation, you’ll need to complete at least 100 hours of in-class instruction as well as 6-20 hours of live classroom practice. Getting an accreditation will help you get more opportunities and higher pay.
  • There are other teacher preparation certifications, but TESL/TEFL are the most universally recognized and accepted around the world.
  • You should also expect to invest anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a basic certificate to a few thousand for a complete certification.
  • For your time investment, a complete certificate can take up to a year to complete. 
  • When you’re considering what country to teach in, make sure to take into account the salary expectations. You should compare this to the local cost of living, which can vary widely by region. 

3. Become a Social Media Influencer

This one might be easier said than done. Influencers typically have thousands of social media followers, primarily on Instagram or YouTube. Tourist destinations and hotels often court them with free travel, with the expectation that they’ll share their experiences with their audience. Here are some things to consider:

  • For influencers with large followings , these brands will also pay for content creation on top of providing free travel. 
  • You can partake in affiliate marketing to post links to booking websites, hotels and more. Doing this will get you paid directly from companies for your experience and audience reach.
  • Individual rates for sponsored posts vary dramatically. If your favorite Instagrammer has 100,000 followers, you can expect they’re making in the neighborhood of $800 to $1,000 per sponsored photo. On the other hand, someone with fewer than 1,000 followers is likely to earn $100 or less. 
  • It may sound like easy money, but it can be hard work. Photographers and content creators can spend hours setting up and editing the perfect shot or video. There is also a lot of effort that goes into writing blogs and graphic design to further engage audiences.

4. Work on a Cruise Ship

What jobs will pay you to travel the world? Many jobs in the travel industry will have you constantly on the go, but cruise ships have one of the lowest barriers to entry. It’s a great job if your goal is to see the world for free.

Here are some key takeaways to know about working on a cruise ship:

  • Once hired, employees typically complete training courses for up to 13 weeks that cover various aspects of crew life, including safety and customer service.
  • Contracts generally last for up to nine months, with the option of taking a six- to eight-week break during that time.
  • Crew members also get time off between cruises, and often have the opportunity to visit different ports or enjoy crew-only amenities on the ship.
  • Pay starts at an average of $24 per hour, with many crew members earning significantly more when gratuities are factored in.

5. Organize a Group Trip

While travel agents have become an underappreciated profession, they’re still out there offering valuable travel tips and more. For anyone interested in a job in the field, a great way to dip your toes in the water is to plan a group trip for your circle of friends. Here’s how to start:

  • Some tour companies will discount your trip as the leader if you get a certain number of friends to register with you. 
  • The best of the bunch will actually comp your trip and pay you a commission on top of that. 
Get Paid To Transport Goods While on a Trip One way to travel while making cash that’s gaining in popularity is transporting items along the way. Grabr, a peer-to-peer marketplace, connects travelers with shoppers looking to acquire items abroad or items that are too expensive to ship. Users make requests for specific products they want and anyone traveling to that country can accept the job. Earnings will vary depending on what you’re transporting and how far, of course.

Final Take To GO 

There are many options if you want to travel but also want to get paid. If you are about to embark on a trip anyway make sure to research what part-time or full-time money-making opportunities are out there.

  • Virtual assistant for varying companies
  • House sitting abroad
  • Social media influencing
  • Working on a cruise ship
  • Yes, you can win trips to travel if you know where to look. For example, being a brand ambassador and enticing new users to opt into email lists are important for the travel industry, and trip giveaways are a popular way to do so. While there are usually different entry requirements and prizes, at the most basic level, there are two different types: sweepstakes and contests. Sweepstakes are random drawings, whereas contests are skill-based, often focused on writing, video or photography.
  • Though they technically don't pay, exchange programs are a great way to see the world without having to pay for airfare, room and board or local transportation.
  • If you are a travel blogger or social media influencer, certain hotels or tourist destinations will pay you to travel to visit them. In exchange for the trip, you will have to document your trip and promote the services to your followers.

Lauren Monitz  and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Information is accurate as of Aug. 24, 2023. 

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Get Paid To Travel: 5 Ways To Travel While Making Money

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