B2B Travel Portal for Travel Agents in India
Short answer: Yes. QuickOTA works with travel agents in India who do not have IATA accreditation: you search, book and hold flights in the free B2B Panel, and QuickOTA issues the ticket. You need either a business registered in India or a tourism licence or recognition from an Indian authority. There is no setup fee and no minimum wallet deposit.
This page is for Indian travel agents who do not have IATA accreditation and want a partner to issue their tickets. This page explains how travel agents are recognised in India, what to look for in a B2B platform, and how QuickOTA fits.
Key takeaways
- QuickOTA does not require IATA accreditation. QuickOTA issues the ticket.
- The Ministry of Tourism recognises travel agents under voluntary guidelines, with a separate category for start-ups.
- QuickOTA B2B Panel access is free, with no setup fee and no minimum deposit.
- You pay from a prepaid wallet and set your own markup in rupees.
- Flights are live today; hotels, tours, visas and group requests are coming soon.
Can Indian agencies without IATA accreditation work with QuickOTA?
Yes. IATA accreditation lets an agency issue tickets in its own name and settle with airlines through BSP. QuickOTA works with agencies that do not have it. On QuickOTA, you book in the B2B Panel, pay from your wallet and QuickOTA issues the e-ticket.
For a new agent, this avoids the fixed costs of accreditation, financial security and BSP settlement while the business grows. Read Can a Non-IATA Travel Agency Issue Airline Tickets? for the full comparison.
How are travel agents recognised in India?
India's Ministry of Tourism gives recognition to travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators under its voluntary guidelines. The current guidelines, dated 8 December 2020, define a travel agent as one who arranges tickets for travel by air, rail and ship, passports and visas, including online. They include a "Green Shoots / Start Ups" category for new organisations with no previous tourism experience.
- Recognition: Ministry of Tourism, Travel Trade Division, Revised Guidelines for Recognition of Tourism Service Providers (File No. TT-701/2/2018-TT, 8 December 2020).
- Who can apply: organisations registered in India as a proprietorship, partnership firm, HUF, trust or company.
- Categories: "Green Shoots / Start Ups" and "Experienced Tourism Service Providers", each with its own minimum paid-up capital in the guidelines.
- Portal: the Ministry's NIDHI portal (nidhi.tourism.gov.in).
- Associations: TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) and IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators).
Last checked: 1 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. State rules and tax registrations also apply; confirm current requirements with the Ministry of Tourism, your state tourism department and your adviser.
What do Indian travel agents need from a B2B flight platform?
Indian agents usually need ticketing without IATA, clear total prices so they can quote in rupees, a low cash commitment, and a simple process for changes and refunds.
| Need in India | Why it matters | How QuickOTA handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Ticketing without IATA | Accreditation has ongoing costs and obligations | QuickOTA issues the ticket |
| Quote quickly in INR | Customers compare prices fast | Full cost, including the itemised service fee, shown before you book; you set your markup |
| Low cash commitment | Small agents need working capital | Prepaid wallet, no minimum deposit |
| Changes and refunds | Plans change | Request changes, cancellations and refunds from the panel and see the quote first; approved refunds go back to your wallet |
How does QuickOTA work for an Indian travel agent?
An Indian agent searches flights in the QuickOTA B2B Panel, checks the fare rules and service fee, holds the booking, pays from its prepaid wallet and receives the e-ticket in its booking details. QuickOTA issues the ticket. The agent then charges its customer in rupees at its own price.
Illustrative example (hypothetical numbers): an agent in Kochi books a return flight for a customer.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cost in the panel (fare + itemised service fee) | USD 450 |
| Agent price to customer | INR 41,000 |
| Agent margin | Depends on your exchange rate, markup and taxes |
The point is that you see your full cost before you book, so you can set a rupee price that protects your margin.
Paying QuickOTA
You top up your prepaid wallet online or by bank deposit, with no minimum amount. QuickOTA does not offer credit lines. How your own customers pay you is between you and your bank or payment provider.
Checklist before you start selling flights in India
- [ ] Your business is registered in India, or you hold a tourism licence or recognition from an Indian authority
- [ ] You have a business bank account for wallet top-ups
- [ ] You have clear terms for your customers on changes, cancellations and refunds
- [ ] You know the routes your customers ask for most, so you can test them in the panel
Growing beyond the panel
Many agents start with the free B2B Panel, then add their own booking website or connect their systems. QuickOTA offers a white-label booking website as a monthly plan with optional modules, and the flight booking API is currently free for agencies with their own technical team. See B2B Panel, Flight API or White-Label Website.
FAQs
Does QuickOTA accept Indian travel agents without IATA?
Yes. QuickOTA does not require IATA accreditation; QuickOTA issues the ticket for your bookings. You need either a business registered in India or a tourism licence or recognition from an Indian authority, such as Ministry of Tourism recognition.
Is Ministry of Tourism recognition mandatory for travel agents in India?
The Ministry of Tourism describes its recognition of travel agents as voluntary. State rules and business registrations can still apply, so check with your state tourism department and adviser.
Can a start-up travel agent get Ministry of Tourism recognition?
Yes. The 2020 guidelines include a "Green Shoots / Start Ups" category for new organisations with no previous tourism experience, with a lower minimum paid-up capital than for experienced providers.
Is there a registration fee or minimum deposit?
No. B2B Panel access is free, there is no setup fee and there is no minimum wallet deposit.
Can I book hotels, tours or visas on QuickOTA?
Not yet. Flights are live today. Hotels, tours, visas and group requests are coming soon and will be added in stages.