82 Hospitality Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2023]

Are you Interested in starting a hospitality business in 2023?

Hospitality business ideas can be very profitable for entrepreneurs. However, picking the right one can be an overwhelming experience.

Luckily, there are dozens of business ideas in hospitality industry. From hotel business ideas to tours and travel to events planning, you just have to go for what you are passionate about and ensure the right approach.

We put together 82 of the best hospitality business ideas you can start today.

We'll highlight real-world examples of other hospitality businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a hotel consulting business

A hotel consulting business provides professional advice to investors or individuals interested in the hospitality industry. Another role of a hotel consultant is analyzing the hospitality industry and advising the hotel and resort owners on how to build a thriving business.

To start and operate a successful hotel consulting agency, focus on gaining industry knowledge and earning years of experience in hotel management.

2. Start a walking tour business

Do you love meeting new people, sharing knowledge, and touring places? Then, starting a walking tour business can bring so much enjoyment, and it is also a great business idea.

Starting a walking tour requires so little to no startup capital. With word of mouth and a website, you can begin receiving dozens of bookings so long as your walking tours are well planned and targeted to potential customers.

To start the walking tour business, do market research and design uniquely enjoyable tours. Establish proper marketing channels and register the business appropriately.

3. Start a travel agency

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.

As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

4. Start a tour company

Starting a tour company is a great way to bring your love of travel to life. You can share your passion with others and help make their dream vacations come true!

There are many types of tour businesses, so choosing something you are passionate about and knowledgeable about is best. Here are a few of the most popular tour companies to start:

• Food & Drink Tours
• Adventure & Sporting Tours
• Sightseeing & Historical Tours
• Shopping Tours
• and many more!

It’s also essential to determine what mode of transportation you want for your tour company, as this will determine the initial startup costs needed for your company.

To get started, find out if you need a license to operate in your state. Some states require tour companies to be licensed, while others do not. If you are required to be licensed, talk with the licensing agency to find out what steps must be taken before you can apply for that license.

5. Start a private snorkel tour business

Do you enjoy watching fish and other underwater creatures? You could turn your love for underwater watching into a great snorkeling business. As much as snorkeling is a combination of entertainment and relaxation, starting a snorkel tour business is a fantastic way to earn income.

To get customers to your snorkeling tours, design an informative and colorful brochure depicting the entertainment and relaxation that snorkeling offers. Do not forget to record videos, share them widely on social media, and tag nearby restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds.

To run a successful business, you will need general knowledge and experience in snorkeling, first-aid training, and equipment. Also, due to the nature of this business, you will need to carry liability insurance and possibly a certificate identifying you as a tour operator.

6. Start a cleaning business

Starting a cleaning business is an excellent opportunity to be your boss and make money doing what you love. This business is relatively easy to create and does not require much equipment or funds.

There are many cleaning services, so deciding what services (or combination of services) you will offer and what hours of the day or week those services will be available is essential.

To start cleaning service, you’ll want to consider investing in professional cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, a quality mop, and a good cleaning bucket. You will also need to buy environment-friendly cleaning products such as detergent, bleach, paper towels, and trash bags.

7. Start a car rental business

Car rental can be profitable if you are passionate about starting a business in the auto industry. Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business , target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

8. Start a private hostel business

A private hostel is a residential premise or center set up by a private entity to accommodate paying guests on a rental basis for a fixed duration. Private accommodation for tourists and travelers can be a good option if you love meeting and hosting different people while creating a passive income from your business.

Setting up your own private hostel business takes a lot of planning. First, find the ideal location and check all the local zoning laws. Then, procure (buy/lease) a perfect building and equip it with beds and other accommodations for guests.

To attract business, network with tours and travel companies and advertise the business on social media.

9. Start an event management company

Do you have a basic understanding of events, possess great communication skills, and aren’t afraid to talk to C-suite executives, event attendees, donors, brand sponsors, and vendors?

Event management is a profession that is growing rapidly. Experts estimate that the event management and planning industry will experience a growth rate of 10% in a few years.

You can use your skills and passion by starting an event management company. Event management is not only an exciting career, but it is also a profitable business opportunity, with endless opportunities, you can focus on social and entertainment events, and corporate events, or become a general event management company.

10. Start a day spa business

A luxury day spa offers skin and body care, hair removal, makeup, and other body pampering treatments.

Luxury day spas have boomed over the past few years, and the trend will not stop anytime soon. Millions of people worldwide schedule to visit a day spa where they can relax, feel pampered and unwind. If you love helping people relax, starting a luxury day spa can be a rewarding business. It is fun and profitable if you have a good business plan and find an excellent location for your spa.

11. Become a travel photographer

Are you a talented creative with an ever-enduring sense of wanderlust and looking for a business to support your travel expenses? Becoming a travel photographer can be a great business opportunity!

Travel photographers focus on documenting places, animals, and sceneries on their photojournalist websites or library and selling to different clients.

For instance, you could get your photo on a national geographic cover or sell it as print art at local museums or galleries.

12. Start a restaurant reservation platform

A restaurant reservation platform lets customers reserve a table while restaurateurs oversee bookings, cancelations and no-shows. The reservation software may also feature a waitlist tool, a visual table management and handles payments.

The hotel and restaurant business has become more competitive, and restaurants are focusing on improving service delivery. An example of a great approach is investing in table reservation software, which delivers a more predictable wait time. A restaurant reservation platform helps businesses optimize seating layouts to accommodate more customers.

Therefore, building a restaurant reservation system can be a great idea if you want to start a hospitality business.

13. Start an airbnb hosting business

Do you have an extra room or an unoccupied house in your home? You can turn that property into a revenue-generating asset by starting an Airbnb listing. Airbnb is one of the world’s largest accommodation platforms. According to experts, Airbnb’s future is undoubtedly bright.

Therefore, starting an Airbnb business can be rewarding. To start, prepare your Airbnb listing and set it up accordingly. To increase bookings, offer the best services, and encourage the guests to leave a positive review.

14. Start a golf course business

If you are a golfer, it is easier to fall in love with owning a golf course. A golf course business can be a passive idea and a great retirement plan.

To start, you can purchase a ready golf course. Alternatively, if you own a piece of land, you can do your golf course. The golf course is a passive source of income and similar to real estate, and its value increases over time. Therefore, the golf course business idea can be a profitable and secure investment.

15. Start a casino guide

Are you passionate about casinos and gambling? If so, starting a casino guide business is one way to profit from your passion. A casino guide targets tourists looking for a place to play their favorite games and probably win the incentives offered at the casino.

Starting a casino guide is not only a fun way to spend your extra hours, but it is also a rewarding business. You can feature the local casinos in your area and earn an affiliate's commission for referring tourists to the casinos.

16. Start a hiking company

Are you passionate about backpacking and hiking? Starting a backpacking and trekking business can be a noble idea if you love everything about tours and travel and know all the tourist attractions in your neighborhood.

To start a hiking company, explore the hiking tour market, and create a business plan. Also, take photos of the hiking sites and the trails, then post them to your social media pages and website.

17. Start a food truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.

To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.

18. Write a travel guidebook

Every travel destination offers a unique experience. Are you passionate about traveling and exploring new locations? You can translate unique experiences into something tangible for other travelers by writing a travel guidebook.

A travel guidebook explains to travelers different things about the destination, including:

• What is there to do
• What and where to eat
• How to get around
• Where to stay

If you are enthusiastic about your local neighborhoods and townships, you can share a lot of information and market them as ideal travel locations.

19. Start a surprise travel agency

Are you looking for a scalable side hustle idea and one that allows you some flexibility? A surprise travel agency is a good option that will enable you to choose a friendly niche market. Besides, a surprise travel agency lets you gain exposure and experience while it is an opportunity with unlimited income potential. If you love sharing travel recommendations and always find the best local spots when you visit a new city, this will be ideal for you.

20. Start a vacation rentals business

Vacation rentals host travelers for a short period. Often located in top vacation destinations, vacation rentals feature spacious rooms and a cozy lifestyle and are cheaper than booking a hotel.

Building or buying a vacation rental is a smart way of creating a passive income without much involvement in the business.

To make money through the vacation rental business, ensure a strategic location, often nearby attractions. Choose an area that is easily accessible and desirable all year round and create a beautiful space for your guests.

Stand out by optimizing the vacation rental listing online and featuring all available amenities.

21. Start a party planning business

Party planning involves budgeting, establishing party timelines, selecting and reserving ideal party sites, acquiring permits, theme décor, and coordinating party catering and transportation.

Are you organized, creative, and client-focused? You can put those skills into starting a successful party planning business. To become a party planner, you must desire to help other people enjoy themselves. Besides, you need diplomacy, salesmanship, and multitasking skills.

22. Start an Event and after party cleaning business

Event and after-party cleaning business depends upon corporate and individual customers celebrating various events and hosting parties. The party and event organizers do not worry about cleaning utensils or cleaning the event venues.

Starting the event and after-party cleaning business requires the proper planning, maid, and janitorial skills. To start, purchase the appropriate cleaning equipment and hire skilled venue cleaners.

23. Start a catering business

A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.

Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don't have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.

However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning. To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more. In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.

24. Start a food tour company

The food tour business involves guiding travelers through a tour of food from various restaurants and cities. Food tours are a unique avenue for foodie travelers who want to explore the cities they are visiting. The good thing about starting a food tour business is you have different niches to choose from. Besides, you can concentrate on a particular location and define your work schedule.

Food tour businesses make money by introducing discerning customers to unique restaurants, vineyards, and breweries for a fee. Alternatively, the food tour company can earn commission from the restaurants they refer customers to, based on a pre-arrangement.

25. Start a flight tours business

A flight tour business takes people on short flights to experience an aerial view. If you are into airplanes and love taking different people on tours, the flight tour business is a more expensive service that targets adventurous clients.

While starting a flight tour business may sound overwhelming, doing scenic tours the right way can be rewarding. Cover locations of interest worth seeing from the air and target affluent travelers. To market your business, take a couple of pictures covering different scenes to entice the target customers and make them want to experience the tours.

26. Start a romantic date planning service

A romantic date night planning service delivers a custom romance package to customers planning their first date or who want to spend some quality time with a long-term partner.

While for some, a date night may sound as simple as going to a nice restaurant for dinner and then to a movie theater, for others, it is a serious commitment and needs proper planning. The latter choose to involve a professional, especially when traveling to new locations because they are looking for a fantastic life experience.

Therefore, starting a romantic date night planning service can be a fun way to earn doing what you love. To start, choose a niche and market your business. Focus on understanding clients' requirements and delivering an exact match so you earn positive reviews and recommendations.

27. Start a cooking class

Online cooking classes can be a great side hustle for seasoned chefs or cooking enthusiasts looking for a way to earn some extra cash. You can create content and teach your audience how to prepare meals.

Consider creating members-only content to earn more from your cooking class side hustle. Alternatively, you can sell recipes for a small fee as well. To grow your reach, consider offering some free content on your social media pages as a way to build curiosity among potential audiences. You can charge your audiences a subscription fee so they can have exclusive access to your content.

To start cooking classes , choose a niche and follow your passion. Create a website and maintain an active social media presence. Apart from online cooking classes or live sessions you can also offer exclusive offline weekend classes to give your audience a hands-on personal experience.

28. Start a jet ski rental business

Are you looking for a business you can start within the coastal locations? A jet ski rental business can be excellent if you target areas that attract water sports tourists. According to industry experts, the global market size for the water sports gear market will reach $55.2 billion in the next decade.

Therefore, starting the ski jet rental business can be a profitable business. To venture into the ski rental business, you may start alone or consider starting as a franchise partner. For an absolute beginner in this industry, a franchise would be advisable.

29. Start a bike rental store

Bike rental is one of the most profitable business ideas most people overlook. Today, bike rental is in high demand, especially among people who love outdoor activities. Today, people prefer renting a bike as opposed to buying one. Moreover, bikes offer a hassle-free and quicker ride option for daily commuters. In that regard, starting your own bike rental business is exciting and can be profitable.

If you are starting a bike rental business, some avenues you could use to increase business profitability include:

• Targeting tourists
• Reaching out to biker clubs
• Biking training schools
• Cater to employees in organizations that encourage the use of bikes

Use bike rental software to manage bookings, and market your business on social media and biking clubs, to maximize bookings.

30. Start a hotels business

If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to implement your plan. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.

Here are some tips to consider before forming a hotel:

• Name your business
• Decide on a marketing strategy
• Start by renting out a room in your home.
• Hire a business capital broker
• Try Airbnb
• Make a marketing plan
• Offer complementary services

31. Start a glamping business

Glamping is the ultimate in eco-chic these days. A glamorous twist on camping, glamping feels more like a 5-star hotel and less like roughing it.

You could turn your backyard into a campground that earns money every day.

32. Start a pet sitting business

A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:

• Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
• Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
• Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.

One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.

33. Start a hotel booking platform

The explosively popular Airbnb and countless similar services have proven that the market for home and apartment rentals is growing rapidly. As an entrepreneur who loves travel, you see an opportunity to extend this model to hotels. That’s why you start a hotel booking platform where travelers can search for and book accommodations worldwide.

The market size of the online hotel booking platform industry worldwide amounted to nearly $518B in 2020. Starting a hotel booking platform can be so interesting as an idea that can proliferate. It doesn’t require any license, no inventory — only mobile phones, an internet connection, and some motivation to succeed.

34. Start a pet hotel business

Starting your own pet hotel business is not as difficult as you might think. With the right knowledge and hard work, you can achieve a lot in the pet industry.

A pet hotel is a place where people bring their cats and dogs for short-term boarding. It's a business that provides pet-sitting services in which customers can board their pets while they're out of town, or while they're at work.

Over 60M households own dogs or cats in the United States. What happens when they leave town or go on vacation? Pet boarding is a lucrative industry that can be served locally in any state or city across the world.

35. Start a helicopter charter business

Do you have a pilot rating? If you love flying tourists around the country, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture by starting a private charter helicopter service.

Starting a private charter helicopter service is not as easy as it may sound. The business demands a massive investment as you have to purchase the helicopter. However, a private charter helicopter service can be profitable.

To start, learn how to fly, or you can plan to pay a qualified pilot by the flying hours. Then, you can buy or lease a helicopter and get a flying clearance and insurance.

36. Start an eco hotels business

An eco-friendly hotel employs sustainable practices to reduce its impact on the environment. Some measures include energy and water consumption, zero waste generation, and eco-friendly products in its maintenance, services, and supply chain.

According to statistics, a third of consumers prefer sustainable brands. In addition, tours and travel brands like Tripadvisor have developed a Green Leaders program.

Starting an eco-friendly hotel brand is profitable and a way of supporting environmental conservation efforts. If you are starting an eco-friendly hotel, sensitize your staff on the importance of ecological conservation. Some eco-friendly ideas to consider for your hotel include:

• Cutting down on the use of plastic water bottles by adding a water filling station in the lobby
• Offering guests a reusable branded water bottle
• Installing towel racks in bathrooms to make it easier for guests to reuse the towels
• Making recycling options easy to spot

Starting an eco-friendly hotel may sound. However, with more people becoming sensitive to environmental preservation, an eco-friendly hotel could be more profitable than you expect.

37. Start a fishing charter business

Fishing charter businesses offer access to offshore fishing locations to tourists and locals. If you love water activities and enjoy fishing, starting your own fishing charter business can be fun and rewarding.

Launching your fishing charter is not as difficult as you may imagine, so long as you meet all the required regulations. First, you may need a coast guard license and a fishing permit if your fishing charter operates mainly along the coastal region.

Once you have met the regulatory requirements, invest in the appropriate gear for fishing charters and market your business. Purchase a large boat, enough to carry small groups of people on fishing trips.

38. Become a bed and breakfast owner

Bed and breakfast is a sort of hybrid between a luxury hotel and a private home. The host offers the guests affordable accommodation featuring a bed and breakfast at the room's price. B&Bs offer affordable accommodations and are becoming popular among travelers who prefer a private setting.

If you have realistic expectations, B&B can be a profitable and enjoyable business. To start, you can renovate and turn your home into an inn. Alternatively, you can build or buy a ready house and convert it into a modern B&B.

39. Start a wine tour business

Wine tourists visit wineries and vineyards where they experience gorgeous views and learn more about wine production. There are plenty of places that wine tourists can visit. To start a wine tour business, create a profile of your area’s top wineries and vineyards. Include different activities related to the wine tour business.

Then, market the trips to those attractive locations, showing the features the tourists can expect to see there. Wine tour businesses offer their customers a mix of luxury private tours to big group tours.

40. Start a resort hotels business

A resort provides accommodations and attractions conveniently located on the same premises. An ideal resort business on an island has an excellent prospect since many people love traveling. However, starting a resort can be overwhelming.

To start, ensure you have a solid business plan and scout the area you intend to purchase the property, ensuring it shall be well-positioned. Promote and market your resort to attract tourists.

41. Start a surf school

A surf school is where surfing professionals share their surfing knowledge and educate students on beach safety and general aquatic awareness. Certified surf teachers teach surf lessons in a controlled and safe environment.

If you are a professional surfer, you can start a surfing school and turn your passion into a profitable venture. Surf schools charge students per lesson or hour.

42. Start an airport bus shuttle services

An airport bus shuttle service transports people and luggage to and from or within airports. An airport shuttle service can be profitable to operate.

If you plan to start an airport bus shuttle, focus on building alliances and partnerships with companies and local businesses that will supply you with customers.

43. Start a hotel art supply business

44. Start a canoe and kayak tours business

45. Start a pod hotels business

46. Start a student hostel business

47. Start a party bus business

48. Start an extended stay hotels business

49. Start a luxury hotels business

50. Start a boatel business

51. Start a patient medical centre business

52. Start a double decker bus

Starting a double decker bus business can be a unique and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the transportation industry. These buses, which are typically used for sightseeing tours or as party buses, can be a popular choice for special events and group outings.

To start a double decker bus business, you will need to purchase one or more buses and ensure that they are properly licensed and insured. You may also need to hire drivers and possibly tour guides, depending on the type of services you offer. Marketing your business through social media, local advertising, and partnerships with local attractions and event planners can help you attract customers.

One of the key considerations for running a successful double decker bus business is safety. Ensuring that your buses are well-maintained and that your drivers are properly trained and licensed is crucial. You will also need to adhere to local regulations and laws related to transportation, such as seatbelt requirements and maximum capacity limits.

Overall, starting a double decker bus business can be a rewarding and lucrative opportunity for those who are passionate about transportation and customer service. With proper planning and attention to safety and regulations, you can build a successful business that provides a unique and enjoyable experience for your customers.

53. Start a pension lodging business

54. Start a spa resort business

55. Start a suite hotels business

56. Start an e-scooter business

57. Start a conference and convention center hotels business

58. Start a timeshare rentals business

59. Start a serviced apartments business

60. Start a water park business

A water park business is a fun and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the amusement and leisure industry. This type of business involves the design, construction, and operation of a large outdoor water park that features a variety of water rides, slides, pools, and other aquatic attractions.

Running a successful water park business requires a significant investment in land, infrastructure, and equipment and a strong marketing strategy to attract customers. It is essential to conduct market research to determine the demand for a water park in a particular location and the type of attractions that will appeal to the local market.

Regarding operational considerations, it is crucial to prioritize safety and cleanliness, as these are vital factors that can impact customer satisfaction and loyalty. Regular maintenance and upkeep of the water park’s attractions and facilities is also necessary to ensure they are in good working order and meet all regulatory standards.

To attract and retain customers, it is important to offer various ticketing options and promotions, such as season passes, group discounts, and special events. Additionally, offering food and beverage options and renting out space for private events can provide additional revenue streams for the business.

Overall, a water park business can be a rewarding and lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs who are passionate about the amusement and leisure industry and are willing to put in the time and effort to create a successful and enjoyable experience for their customers.

61. Start a garden hotels business

62. Start a self-service hotels business

63. Start a budget-friendly hotels business

64. Start a skydiving business

65. Start an airport hotels business

66. Start an ice hotel business

67. Start a corporate retreat and workshops business

68. Start an eco tours service business

69. Start a shipping container hotel

70. Start a hotelship business

71. Start an amusement park

72. Start a souvenir shop

A souvenir shop is a retail store that sells items that are typically associated with a particular place or event. These items can range from t-shirts and hats to postcards and magnets.

To start a souvenir shop, you must find a suitable location, such as a busy tourist destination or a famous shopping center. You will also need to purchase inventory, such as souvenirs and other novelty items, and attractively display them. You may also need to invest in marketing materials, such as signage and social media advertising, to attract customers.

To operate a souvenir shop, you must keep track of your inventory and restock as needed. You should also keep track of your sales and expenses to ensure your business is profitable. Customer service is also essential in this type of business, as you will interact with people from different parts of the world.

Overall, a souvenir shop can be a fun and rewarding business idea for those who enjoy interacting with people and showcasing unique products. If you are interested in starting your souvenir shop, do thorough research and seek advice from experienced business owners. Good luck!

73. Start a guest house business

74. Start a motel business

75. Start a chain hotels business

76. Start an a ryokan business

77. Start a cruise ship travel agent business

Cruise ship travel agents are professionals who work on board cruise ships. They are responsible for helping passengers plan their trips, make reservations for shore excursions, and assist them with any other travel-related needs.

Cruise ship agents may specialize in a specific area of expertise, such as booking tours or finding excursions that match the interests of the passengers. For example, if the passenger is interested in wildlife viewing or diving, then the agent might have extensive knowledge of which tours would be best for them to take.

The first step to starting a cruise ship travel agent is to find a cruise line you are interested in. The next step is to find out if the company has any openings for an agent. If they do, you will need to apply for the position. If not, you may need to wait until one becomes available.

78. Start a kennels business

79. Start a house sitting business

House sitters take care of customers' homes while they are away for extended periods. You may be able to offer house sitting to people with multiple properties for short-term or long-term, depending on how much time you have.

Starting a house-sitting business does not require a huge amount of capital. You can create a website or a social media page and advertise your services. Your typical duties as a house-sitting agent will include the following:

• Feeding pets, cleaning cages and grooming them
• General housework and cleaning
• Maintaining gardens and hedges
• Taking in the post, newspapers, and junk mail
• Watering houseplants

You can attract new customers by printing a few business flyers and targeting wealthy housing estates or apartments in the city.

80. Start a boutique hotel business

81. Start a pop-up hotel business

82. Start a spa hotel business