33 Travel & Tourism App Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]

Updated: July 12th, 2024

Interested in starting a travel & tourism app business in 2024?

We put together 32 of the best travel & tourism app businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other travel & tourism app businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a city guides app business

Think about the last time you navigated an unfamiliar city. A City Guides app business simplifies this experience by offering a comprehensive digital tool, designed specifically for travelers.

The business model is straightforward: develop an app that provides detailed city guides, featuring local attractions, dining options, historical sites, and more. Unlike traditional guidebooks, this app offers real-time updates and customizable itineraries to match individual preferences.

The appeal lies in the convenience and personalization; users can easily navigate through cities without missing hidden gems or essential local experiences. As an entrepreneur, you’d manage content creation, app development, and partnerships with local businesses for exclusive deals.

Launching a City Guides app requires some groundwork, such as extensive research and collaboration. However, the potential for recurring revenue from both users and partner businesses makes this a venture worth considering.

How much you can make: $75,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A Wildly Successful Food Tour Business

How Jessica Baumgart founded a successful food tour business in Denver, which broke even and started making a profit after just three months, generating $20,000/month in revenue from offering different food tour experiences.

Read by 21,029 founders

2. Start a lounge finder app

A lounge finder app is a convenient tool designed to help people discover and locate lounges in their area.

Whether someone is looking for a cozy coffee spot, a trendy cocktail lounge, or a quiet coworking space, this app provides a user-friendly platform to explore various options.

Users can easily search for lounges based on their preferences, such as ambiance, amenities, or specific offerings like Wi-Fi or live music.

The app also allows lounge owners to showcase their establishments and attract potential customers.

Overall, the Lounge Finder app simplifies the process of finding the perfect place to relax, work, or socialize, making it an ideal venture for anyone interested in connecting people with unique and enjoyable lounge experiences.

3. Start a car rental app business

How much does it cost to start: $999 (?)

4. Start a travel itinerary generator app business

Imagine an app that crafts personalized travel itineraries based on your preferences and interests. That's exactly what a travel itinerary generator app does. This business idea streamlines travel planning by utilizing algorithms to create tailored travel schedules, saving users time and effort.

With the increasing complexity of travel logistics and the abundance of options, many travelers are overwhelmed. Your app could address this problem by providing curated itineraries, booking reservations, and offering insider tips. The key is to build a user-friendly interface and collaborate with local guides and service providers.

Starting this business requires a solid understanding of travel trends, app development skills, and a network of partners in the travel industry. If you love travel and have an eye for detail, this could be a rewarding venture that taps into a growing market of tech-savvy, experience-seeking travelers.

How much you can make: $550,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $450K/Month Travel Agency That Curates Surprise Vacations

Find out how Lillian Rafson started a travel agency that plans surprise getaways around the United States and sent 25,000+ travelers to 100+ destinations nationwide since launching in 2016, with a business model that takes a 20% service fee for planning trips and earns commission on hotel reservations.

Read by 8,522 founders

5. Start a location-based alerts app business

6. Start a tours search app business

7. Launch a flight booking app

A flight booking app is a convenient service that allows users to easily reserve flights for their travel needs.

Aspiring entrepreneurs in this field create a mobile application that allows users to search, compare, and book flights from various airlines.

The app typically provides a user-friendly interface where customers can input their travel details, view available flight options, and make secure reservations.

This business involves establishing partnerships with airlines, integrating payment gateways, and ensuring real-time updates on flight schedules. Ultimately, the goal is to offer a seamless and efficient platform for users to plan and book their flights hassle-free.

How much you can make: $364,000/month

How long does it take to build: 700 days (?)

We Started A $4.37M/Year Private Jet And Air Taxi Booking Service

Mirai Flights is an app-forward private jet booking service with a focus on UK, Europe, Middle East and CIS states, that allows customers to bypass the long wait times with more than 30 parameters analysed in less than 30 seconds, achieving $4.37m turnover from March to December 2021, and planning to increase it up to $10.2m and expand internationally in the future.

Read by 3,023 founders

8. Start an emergency service app business

9. Start a restrooms finder app business

10. Start a currency rate converter app business

11. Start a travel app business

Traveling has become an essential part of people’s lives. A travel app business can help you tap into the ever-growing travel industry, providing a platform for travelers to explore new destinations and experiences.

By offering a wide range of services such as booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and tour packages, a travel app can become a one-stop-shop for all travel-related needs. Moreover, it can provide users with valuable information about travel destinations, including popular tourist spots, local customs, and safety tips, making their travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

With an intuitive, feature-packed app that caters to diverse globetrotter needs and makes travel more epic, connected, and memorable, you can position your platform as a must-have tool for modern adventurers across the world.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $9,999 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How We Build A $100K/Month Network Of Short-Term Luggage Storage Options With 40+ Locations

LuggageHero CEO Jannik Lawaetz founded a network of short-term luggage storage options with +40 locations across the world and raised $2.25 million in funding in 2019, with aims to expand to +1800 locations using a POI algorithm, offering customers value and building a reliable team.

Read by 9,927 founders

12. Start a weather forecast app business

13. Start a cab/ taxi app business

14. Start a deal finder app business

Looking for an opportunity to bridge the gap between consumers and discounts? Consider launching a deal finder app business.

In simple terms, a deal finder app aggregates discounts, promotions, and special offers from various retailers into one convenient platform. Users can effortlessly browse deals, while businesses gain exposure and drive customer engagement.

Imagine creating an app that becomes the go-to destination for savvy shoppers hunting for the best bargains on everything from groceries to gadgets. A well-executed deal finder app has the potential to attract a loyal user base and build partnerships with retailers.

The real work lies in consistent deal hunting, maintaining retailer relationships, and ensuring the app is user-friendly. But with determination, you could become the essential app for budget-conscious consumers, making your business both relevant and rewarding.

How much you can make: $7,500 — $15,000/month

How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)

How We Created A $7.5K/Month On-Demand Beauty And Wellness Platform

Panda Wish, an on-demand beauty and wellness platform, built by Mohammed Khonizi, a Wayne State University MBA graduate, earned over $7.5k per month, following its successful pilot in the Philippines in 2019.

Read by 5,508 founders

15. Start a local public transport accessing app business

16. Start a language translation app business

The world is more connected than ever, but language barriers still pose significant challenges. Consider starting a language translation app business. This is a digital platform designed to break down these barriers by offering seamless language translation services.

In essence, you’ll develop an app that can translate text, voice, and even images into multiple languages. This involves partnering with linguists and leveraging machine learning algorithms to enhance accuracy. You’ll also need to focus on UX design to ensure the app is user-friendly.

This venture taps into the growing global market and the increasing demand for accessible communication. Imagine helping travelers, businesses, and educators bridge communication gaps effortlessly. While the development phase requires technical skills and resources, the long-term rewards—both financial and societal—make it a compelling opportunity.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $550,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

From a Freelance Translator Working From Home To An Entrepreneur With $1M In Revenue

TRANSLIT is an ISO-certified translation and interpreting service, which has grown organically to now include an online platform and marketplace that allows users to find, book and manage interpreters across the world with over 2,500 users and recently launched a Remote Simultaneous Interpreting technology available through a mobile app and web interface.

Read by 8,560 founders

17. Start a gas station finder app business

18. Start a kids friendly places finder apps business

19. Start an accommodation booking app business

Imagine simplifying the booking process for travelers while creating a steady income stream. An accommodation booking app does just that.

In essence, it's an app that connects travelers with available accommodations, ranging from hotels to homestays. You build and maintain the platform, ensuring a smooth user experience.

There's an undeniable appeal here: with the right marketing and partnerships, you could disrupt the travel industry by offering an intuitive, user-friendly service that takes the headache out of booking accommodations.

Starting this business involves developing a reliable app, onboarding accommodation providers, and continuously enhancing the app based on user feedback. It's about creating a seamless bridge between travelers and hosts.

This is more than just an app; it's a gateway to create memorable travel experiences while carving out a niche in the thriving travel market. Done right, it could be a rewarding venture both financially and personally.

How much you can make: $200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

We Started A $2.4M/Year Coliving Business In Singapore

Casa Mia Coliving, a sustainable and modern co-living and property management company in Singapore offering affordable accommodation, has an annualized revenue of $2.5M with 150 bedrooms across popular neighborhoods, attracting young professionals and boasting a 10x LTV/CAC ratio, all while focusing on unit economics and profitable growth.

Read by 4,165 founders

20. Start a travel destination finder app business

Travelling is always an exciting adventure. Travelers want to explore the world and find new places to visit. The travel destination finder app helps travelers find their desired destinations and plan their trips accordingly. The app can be downloaded on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to use.

The user can enter their preferred location, travel date, budget, interests, etc., and the app provides a list of destinations that match these parameters.

Travel app provides information about:

  • The best time to visit these destinations for each season.
  • Things that should be taken care of before traveling.
  • Details about visa requirements.
  • Top tourist attractions in different countries etc.

How much you can make: $50/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

On Building A Travel Recommendations Platform

PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.

Read by 4,618 founders

21. Start a museum tours booking app business

Imagine a world where exploring museums is just a tap away. Our business idea focuses on creating a Museum Tours Booking App that simplifies access to cultural experiences.

The concept is straightforward: an app where users can browse, book, and review guided tours at museums worldwide. Think of it as a one-stop-shop for enriching your cultural itinerary while traveling or exploring locally.

This venture can capture the interest of tech-savvy travelers and culture enthusiasts alike, combining convenience with education. It's not just about building an app but collaborating with various museums, managing partnerships, and continuously updating content to keep users engaged.

With the growing appetite for unique experiences, this app can fulfill a niche market need, making it an enticing venture for aspiring entrepreneurs. The appeal lies in blending technology with cultural exploration, ensuring a rewarding and sustainable business.

How much you can make: $250,000/month

How We Started A $2.8M/Year Renegade Museum Tours Company

Meet Museum Hack: The NYC-based company that made $2.8 million in revenue in 2018, offering renegade tours of the world's best museums through VIP, fast-paced, story-based, and social events, and now adapting to social distancing with online storytelling workshops.

Read by 6,540 founders

22. Start a world clock time converter business

23. Start a social media platform app business

Want to create meaningful digital connections? Start a social media platform app business. This venture involves developing a mobile application where users can connect, share content, and engage with each other.

You'll begin by identifying a niche or unique feature that sets your platform apart from giants like Facebook or Instagram. Next, you'll need to work on app development—coding, testing, and designing a user-friendly interface.

Monetization strategies could include targeted advertising, premium memberships, and in-app purchases. The potential user base is vast, and with thoughtful marketing, you can attract a dedicated community.

Building a social media platform isn't a small task, but the rewards can include both financial success and the satisfaction of creating a space for people to connect. If you're drawn to tech and community-building, this could be the ideal business for you.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $14,500/month

How long does it take to build: 350 days (?)

I Learned To Code And Launched A Social Media Scheduling Platform [$2K/Month]

Pallyy, a social media scheduling platform built for social media agencies and managers, achieved almost 100% growth in the last three months, from $1300 MRR to $2450 MRR, after founder Tim Bennetto shifted focus to a particular niche of users and built new features, although he admitted to naming and branding mistakes.

Read by 5,744 founders

24. Start an e-sccooter app business

25. Start a restaurant table reservation app business

26. Start a white label food delivery app

Nowadays, people prefer ordering food online rather than cooking at home. The trend has created a high demand for food delivery apps.

Are you interested in starting a food delivery app and selling it to restaurants and food delivery people?

Coding your food delivery app could take weeks, if not months. The white label food delivery app could be a much more convenient and cheaper option. A white label food delivery app is software provided unbranded (by the software developer) to you as the reseller. You rebrand the application and sell it to restaurants and food delivery companies as if it were your developed software.

With the white label food delivery app, you can choose to rent or lease the tool under a monthly or annual subscription.

27. Start a socialising app business

Are you intrigued by the idea of creating connections among people? Starting a socialising app might just be your next big step.

This business revolves around developing an app that facilitates meaningful interactions, be it through groups, events, or one-on-one conversations. It’s all about providing a digital space where people can meet, share experiences, and build relationships.

In an era where online connections often translate into real-life partnerships, such an app is immensely relevant. The market is hungry for innovations that allow for personalized and engaging social experiences. By harnessing this need, your app could become the go-to place for people seeking new connections.

While building this business will require a solid tech team, an understanding of social dynamics, and continuous user feedback, the potential for growth and impact is substantial. If you're passionate about creating digital communities, this could be your calling.

28. Start a travel payment app business

29. Start a navigation app business

30. Start a luggage tracker app business

31. Start a tour guide booking app business

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

32. Start an adventure sports booking app business

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.