Travel agencies are where people first go or inquire when they want to travel, domestic or international. It’s the place where travel related products and services are available. A retail business, acts as an agent on behalf of suppliers such as the airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, hotels, railways, sightseeing tours and tour operators, or package holidays, etc. Basically, it’s a place that caters travelers.

Going through a travel agency is the easiest way on planning a trip. They will be the one to help you on where to go, what to ride, and when is the best time. They will be the guide to your traveling making it as convenient as possible, depending on the budget of the customer. Traveling packages are available for customers to choose. Travel agencies are on demand especially during holidays where most people are planning their vacations. Most travel agencies operate on a commission-basis; they get percentage on the bookings of the customers from a certain supplier.

There are two approaches of travel agencies: Out-bound travel agency and In-bound travel agency. Out-bound travel agency is based in the originating location of the traveler and the other is the destination focused while In-bound travel agency is based in the destination and delivers an expertise on that location.  There are four different types of agencies in the United States; these are Mega, Regional, Consortium and Independent Agencies. Examples of mega travel agencies are American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA). Independent Agencies usually cater to a special or niche market, catering people who like sports and other activities.  The travel and tourism industry is a $4 trillion a year industry and one of the top world employers. Independent travel agents are becoming an increasingly important part of this with their niche and viral marketing abilities.

The travel industry represents one of the largest components of the world economy. Within it, the hotel and motel industry plays a central role in the housing and feeding of people away from home. A hotel is a building or an establishment that provides lodging, meals, and other services to the traveling public on a commercial basis. The word hotel is derived from the French word meaning "inn" (coming from hôte meaning host), which referred to a French version of a townhouse or any other building seeing frequent visitors; and comes from the Latin hospes, meaning "guest." Motel is simply a contraction of the words motor and hotel. The term came into common use in the 1920s, indicating an establishment that provided parking for cars as well as food and lodging. Today many hotels have parking facilities and many motels have become so large that the distinction has become almost meaningless.

The guest in a typical transient hotel can expect a room with private bath, telephone, radio, and television, in addition to such customer services as laundry, valet, and cleaning and pressing. A larger establishment usually has a coffee shop, dining room, cocktail lounge or nightclub, and a gift shop or newsstand-tobacco counter. Many hotels can be considered destinations in themselves, by dint of unusual features of the lodging or its immediate environment.

The resort hotel is a luxury facility that is intended primarily for vacationers and is usually located near special attractions, such as beaches and seashores, scenic or historic areas, ski parks, or spas. Though some resorts operate on a seasonal basis, the majority now try to operate all year-round. The residential hotel is basically an apartment building offering maid service, a dining room, and room meal service. Residential hotels range from the luxurious to the moderately priced. Some resort hotels operate on the so-called American plan, in which the cost of meals is included in the charge for the room. Others operate on the European plan, in which the rate covers only the room and guests make their own arrangements for meals. Transient hotels generally operate on the European plan.