5 Surprise Travel Agency Success Stories [2023]

Updated: January 18th, 2023
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.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a surprise travel agency:

1. Whisked Away Surprise Travel ($180K/year)

Charlotte Curry McGhee (from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA) started Whisked Away Surprise Travel over 6 years ago.

Revenue
$15K / month
Team
1 founders / 1 employees
Location
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Case Study

Hello! My name is Charlotte Curry McGhee and I started Whisked Away Surprise Travel. Whisked Away saves travelers from hours of planning and overwhelm, giving them the curated surprise trip of their dreams!

Since starting the business in March of 2017, I’ve seen revenue grow exponentially each year, with many clients booking their second surprise trips with Whisked Away within months (or weeks!) of returning.

how-i-turned-my-passion-for-travel-planning-into-a-successful-business

2. Pack Up + Go ($6.6M/year)

Lillian Rafson (from Pittsburgh, PA, USA) started Pack Up + Go over 7 years ago.

Revenue
$550K / month
Team
1 founders / 30 employees

Case Study

Hi! My name is Lillian Rafson, and I’m the founder + CEO of Pack Up + Go. We’re a travel agency that plans curated getaways around the United States. The catch? Your destination is a surprise until the day you depart! Since launching in 2016, we have sent 25,000+ travelers to 100+ destinations nationwide.

  • Plane/Train Trips
  • Road Trips
  • Outdoor Road Trips
  • Staycations Each of our trip types includes reservations at a top-notch hotel, curated itineraries full of recommendations for things to do, see, and eat in the destination, and 24/7 in-house traveler support.

how-i-started-a-450k-month-travel-agency-that-curates-surprise-vacations

Learn more about starting a surprise travel agency:

Where to start?

-> How to start a surprise travel agency?
-> How much does it cost to start a surprise travel agency?
-> Pros and cons of a surprise travel agency

Need inspiration?

-> Examples of established surprise travel agency
-> Marketing ideas for a surprise travel agency
-> Surprise travel agency slogans
-> Surprise travel agency names

Other resources

-> Surprise travel agency tips

4. The Vacation Hunt ($480K/year)

Roshni & Jeff (from Washington D.C., Washington, D.C., USA) started The Vacation Hunt over 6 years ago.

Revenue
$40K / month
Team
2 founders / 2 employees
Location
Washington D.C., Washington, D.C., USA

Case Study

Hi - we are Roshni & Jeff and we have sent hundreds of travelers on vacations around the world - without them knowing where they were headed!

Your surprise destination is the birthplace of an iconic government safety campaign! Surprise trip clue #1 for Jennifer, Grayson, & Andrew! #surprisevacation #familytrip #thevacationhunt

this-couple-makes-40k-month-planning-surprise-vacations

Pat Walls,  Founder of Starter Story
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