Short answer: It depends on the country where your business is based. Many countries require a travel agency or tourism licence to sell travel to the public, and some do not. Separately, every ticketing partner sets its own entry rules. To book flights on QuickOTA, you need one official registration from your own country: a registered company or a valid travel agency (tourism) licence.
This guide is for people starting a flight ticket business: new travel agencies, founders building an online travel brand and small agencies selling flights to their community abroad. After reading, you will know which rules can apply to you, how IATA fits in, and what you need before you sell your first ticket.
Key takeaways
- Three different things are often confused: your country's licence rules, IATA accreditation and a supplier's entry requirements.
- Licence rules are set by each country, usually by a tourism authority or ministry. Check them before you sell.
- IATA accreditation is not a licence. It lets an agency issue tickets itself. QuickOTA works with agencies that do not have it.
- If you do not have IATA accreditation, a ticketing partner such as QuickOTA issues the ticket for your booking.
- QuickOTA asks for a registered company or a travel agency (tourism) licence from your country. You do not need both.
Who decides whether you need a licence?
The country where your business operates decides. Licensing of travel agencies is national law, and in some countries regional law too. It is usually managed by a tourism ministry, a tourism board or a business licensing office, and in some countries also by the civil aviation authority. The rules can differ even between neighbouring countries, so advice that is correct for one market can be wrong for yours.
What the rules usually cover:
- Who needs a licence: some countries license any business that sells travel to the public; others license only tour operators or agencies that handle customer money.
- Licence types: for example separate licences for outbound travel, inbound tourism or ticketing only.
- Aviation authorities: in some countries the civil aviation authority also registers travel agencies.
- Conditions: a registered company, an office address, qualified staff or a financial guarantee.
- Renewal: many licences must be renewed each year.
Check with the official authority in your country before you sell. A short call or visit to the tourism authority, or advice from a local lawyer or accountant, is cheaper than a fine later.
Is IATA accreditation a licence?
No. IATA accreditation is an industry accreditation, not a government licence. It allows a travel agency to issue airline tickets in its own name and to settle with airlines through BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan). It does not replace any licence your country requires, and having a national licence does not give you IATA accreditation.
IATA accreditation brings financial checks, security requirements and settlement obligations. QuickOTA works with agencies that do not have IATA accreditation: you book in the B2B Panel and QuickOTA issues the ticket for your booking. We explain how that works in Can a Non-IATA Travel Agency Issue Airline Tickets?
Can you sell flight tickets without a licence?
Only if your country's law allows it. Where a licence is required to sell travel, selling without one puts your business at legal risk, whatever supplier you use. Where it is not required, you still need a registered business to trade, take payments and work with a ticketing partner. A supplier accepting you does not mean your country allows you to sell.
Common situations:
| Your situation | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| You have a registered company but no tourism licence | You can join QuickOTA with your company registration. Check that your country allows a company to sell flights without a travel licence. |
| You have a tourism or travel agency licence | You can join QuickOTA with your licence. A company registration is not needed as well. |
| You have neither yet | Register your business or get your licence first, then apply for agency access. |
| You sell under your own brand but plan to use another agency's licence | Ask a local lawyer first. Rules on selling under someone else's licence vary and are often strict. |
What do you need to sell flights on QuickOTA?
To open a QuickOTA agency account, you need one official registration from your own country: a registered company or a valid travel agency (tourism) licence. QuickOTA works with travel agencies in any country that meet this rule. QuickOTA does not require IATA accreditation, because QuickOTA issues the ticket for your booking. You are responsible for meeting your own country's rules for selling travel.
Once your account is approved, you work in the B2B Panel:
- Search flights, compare fares and check the fare rules.
- Hold the booking while your customer confirms.
- Top up your prepaid wallet by online payment or bank deposit. There is no minimum deposit: top up the amount you need for the booking.
- Ticket. QuickOTA issues the ticket for your booking.
B2B Panel access is free and there is no setup fee. Service fees are itemised and shown before you book and in your booking details. You set your own markup when you sell to your customer.
A checklist before you sell your first ticket
Checklist before you start
- [ ] You have checked your country's rules for selling travel with the official authority
- [ ] You have a registered company or a travel agency (tourism) licence in your country
- [ ] You have a business bank account to take customer payments and top up your wallet
- [ ] You have written terms for customers on changes, cancellations and refunds
- [ ] You know how to read fare rules before you quote a price
If a box is empty, fix that first. The fare-rules point matters more than most new sellers expect: see How Flight Changes, Cancellations and Refunds Work on a B2B Platform.
Common mistakes new flight sellers make
- Treating supplier approval as legal permission. A platform accepting your account does not mean your country allows you to sell.
- Confusing IATA with a licence. IATA accreditation is an industry accreditation, not a government licence. One does not replace the other.
- Promising a seat before it is ticketed. A held booking is not a ticket, and the fare can change or the hold can expire. Confirm to your customer only after ticketing.
- Copying another country's rules. What applies in the UAE does not apply in Nigeria, France or Colombia.
- Choosing a supplier on fare alone. Compare the full cost and the after-sale support: see How to Choose a B2B Flight Supplier.
FAQs
Do I need a licence to sell flight tickets online?
It depends on your country. Many countries require a travel agency or tourism licence to sell travel to the public, online or offline, and some do not. Check with the official tourism authority in your country before you start selling.
Do I need IATA accreditation to work with QuickOTA?
No. QuickOTA works with agencies that do not have IATA accreditation. You are responsible for meeting your own country's rules for selling travel. On QuickOTA, you book in the B2B Panel and QuickOTA issues the ticket.
Can I join QuickOTA with only a registered company?
Yes. QuickOTA accepts either a registered company or a travel agency (tourism) licence from your country. You do not need both. Check your local rules too: in many countries a licence is required to sell travel.
Can I join QuickOTA with only a tourism licence?
Yes. A valid travel agency (tourism) licence from your country is enough to apply. A separate company registration is not required by QuickOTA.
Does QuickOTA work in my country?
QuickOTA works with travel agencies in any country that meet the eligibility rule: a registered company or a valid travel agency (tourism) licence from your own country.
Is there a cost to start?
B2B Panel access is free, there is no setup fee and there is no minimum wallet deposit. You top up your wallet with the amount you need for the booking you want to make.
