Travel Advisor Tax Deductions: What you can actually Write Off

What Travel Advisors can generally deduct

Here’s a list of common travel advisor deductions under U.S. tax law (most of these also apply in other countries with similar small business rules):

1. Marketing and Advertising

• Website costs

• Domain names and email services

• Paid ads (Google, Facebook, Instagram)

• Printed materials like flyers or brochures

• Business cards or branded merchandise

2. Office and Admin Costs

• CRM software

• Booking platforms or host agency fees

• Scheduling and communication tools

• Virtual assistants or bookkeeping support

• Office supplies or a portion of home office expenses

3. Training and Industry Events

• Registration fees for conferences or webinars

• Annual memberships (CLIA, ASTA, consortia, etc.)

• FAM trips that are clearly work-related

4. Professional Services

• Legal, accounting, or financial advice related to your business

• Software subscriptions that support your operations

5. Travel Expenses

This is where things get tricky. You can deduct travel if the primary purpose of the trip is business. That means:

• Visiting suppliers

• Inspecting hotels or cruise ships

• Attending conferences or training

• Meeting with clients or partners

You can’t deduct a personal holiday, even if you happen to post some content while you're there. (See also our separate blog on this) But if the trip is planned as part of your business development, and you document the purpose, flights, hotels, meals, and local transport can often be deducted.

If you combine business and leisure, you’ll need to separate the two. For example, if you spend three days at a trade event and then stay an extra week for vacation, only the three days of work-related expenses are deductible.

What the IRS (or your Accountant) will look for

The IRS rule is simple: expenses must be both ordinary and necessary to your business. That means they should be common for your industry and helpful for generating income.

You also need to:

• Keep receipts or digital records

• Track your business mileage if you drive

• Be able to explain the purpose of each expense

• Avoid claiming vague or inflated deductions
  
  

It helps to keep a separate business account or credit card, even if you’re a sole proprietor. This makes it easier to track and justify your expenses if you’re ever audited.

Special Case: Host Agency fees and splits

If you work with a host agency, the fees you pay, whether monthly, annual, or per-booking, are fully deductible. So are any marketing or training packages they provide.

If your host takes a commission split, you only report the portion you actually receive as income. You don’t claim the split as an expense, it simply isn’t part of your gross income to begin with.

That distinction matters when you’re preparing your year-end books or estimating quarterly tax payments.

Are FAM Trips deductible?

Yes — but only if they are truly work-related. You must show that the trip had a clear business purpose and was not just a discount holiday.

You’ll need to:

• Keep an itinerary and registration documents

• Record what properties or suppliers you visited

• Show how the trip supports your business

• Avoid deducting personal extras or guest expenses
  

If you bring a friend or partner, their costs are generally not deductible unless they are also working in the business.

What If you’re based outside the U.S.?

If you’re running your business from outside the U.S. but earning income from U.S. clients or suppliers, your local tax rules may differ slightly.

We work with travel advisors across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East who sell into the U.S. market. In most countries, your home tax system will follow the same principles, if it’s a genuine business expense tied to income generation, it may be deductible.

We help our clients navigate both sides of the tax equation, especially where U.S. and local reporting overlap.

Final Thought

The goal of claiming deductions isn’t to avoid tax, it’s to make sure you’re not overpaying. If you’re spending money to grow your travel business, you should get the tax benefit where the law allows it.

But it only works if you plan ahead, keep records, and get clear on what qualifies.

At Antravia, we help travel advisors keep more of what they earn through clean financial systems, smart structuring, and practical advice. No theory. Just what works.

Want help reviewing your travel business deductions?
We offer one-off financial and tax reviews designed for advisors — whether you’re just starting or getting ready for your next filing.

Book a chat with us here

For more Insights, also refer to our new guide:
Taxes for Travel Agents: The Complete 2025 Guide