Is starting up a travel agency business profitable these days?

Answer 1

I take it that you mean online travel agency? If yes, then it's profitable, as long as you're willing to go through the usual troubles start up businesses undergo. Also, remember that travel agencies are pretty high risk and require that you be able to deal with chargebacks from dissatisfied or trip-canceling customers. If you're a start up but with a good business plan of increasing your monthly volume in time, it also helps to acquire a high risk merchant account to handle your transactions. Your customers are going to thank you for it. Here is a good article that might help: http://www.highriskexperts.com/travel_agency_high_risk_merchant_account.html

Answer 2

If you want to put your money in a sink hole, go do it. Most travelers are now using the Internet to plan trips. I have not used a travel agent in 20 years.