by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:20 AM ET, Thu June 5, 2025
WHY IT RATES: NEST continues to grow this year, with an eight percent increase in the number of affiliated home-based agencies bringing in an additional $137.6 million in preferred partner sales. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Editor, TravelPulse
As the travel industry continues its shift towards home-based agencies, the Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel is growing rapidly.
The industry’s first and only network specifically for home-based agencies, NEST has added 39 affiliates so far in 2025. Those agencies bring with them $137.6 million in preferred partner sales. That represents an eight percent expansion in the number of agencies in the past four months.
This growth is in addition to last year’s extraordinary increases, which resulted in 60 agencies joining NEST with $152 million in preferred sales. The network now has more than 500 affiliate agencies across the U.S. NEST unveiled the updated figures during its Travel Market conference, being held from June 4 to 7 at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando.
NEST’s remarkable expansion comes as more owners choose to base their agencies at home. According to the Travel Institute, 71 percent of advisors are now independent contractors, while 29 percent are agency employees.
In addition, the travel industry’s overall growth is driving NEST’s progress. Today travel is an $11.7 trillion industry, as reported by the World Travel & Tourism Council. Future Market Insights predicts its value will rise to $19.8 trillion by 2035.
Simultaneously, consumer demand for travel advisor services is increasing. The market for travel agency services is estimated at $518.8 billion by Future Market Insights, which envisions it will expand at 10.4 percent annually to reach $1.4 trillion by 2035.
“NEST offers a close-knit community that emphasizes success for home-based travel entrepreneurs,” said NEST Senior Vice President Wayne Spector. “Our agencies are thriving with personalized support from our seasoned Business Analysts. They’re attracting new leads thanks to our marketing initiatives and working smarter with our exclusive technology. Our agencies are spreading the positive word in the industry, and as a result we’re welcoming an influx of exceptional agencies into the family.”
NEST-affiliated agencies enjoy access to exclusive programs, resources and tools – all designed to help their business grow in a competitive marketplace. Business Analysts work closely with agencies to find opportunities for more effective marketing and technology use, which will yield increased revenue. These strategists create individual plans that focus on precise needs and goals, and coach each agency to enhance its success.
NEST recently launched a consumer website to drive additional prospects to its agencies at www.yourvacationspecialists.com. The network also offers its affiliates other lead-generation initiatives; higher commissions, with advisors retaining 100 percent of their earnings; profit-sharing opportunities; proprietary technology tools; relationships with leading preferred partners; exclusive events and professional development; and support from peers and sharing of best practices.
As NEST continues to expand, it upholds its high professional standards. To receive an invitation to join, an agency must be independently owned and operated from a home base, and meet a designated threshold of preferred supplier sales.
SOURCE: NEST press release.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
