26-year-old turns travel passion into career, earns up to Rs 2.88 lakh per trip

Rhiannon Wood, a 26-year-old woman from the UK, has transformed her passion for travel into a lucrative career. She earns up to Rs 2.88 lakh per trip through brand partnerships, sponsored Instagram posts, and commissions from group tours. With approximately 60,000 followers on Instagram, Wood is also in the process of launching her own travel agency.

Wood's interest in travel began during her university studies in the UK, where she took a study-abroad program in Lyon, France. After graduating, she moved to Canada, where she worked at various outdoor businesses, including a boat and canoe rental company, a zipline business, and a ski resort. Simultaneously, she continued documenting her travels online.

In late 2024, Wood decided to pursue her Instagram content more seriously, enrolling in social media strategy courses and hiring an Instagram coach. Within four months, she was approached by online group-trip company Mapo Tapo to lead a trip to Switzerland, earning £330 for the assignment. This early success helped her secure more work with travel and sports-focused brands, such as Skyscanner, Siroko, and Roamless.

Wood's income varies depending on the number of travelers and the agency she works with. She has earned up to $3,000 (Rs 2.88 lakh) in commission from a single trip, with her Instagram rates increasing from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000. While her earnings have put her in the low five-figure range, Wood puts away a significant portion of her income for her business expenses and personal costs.

However, the demanding nature of her job comes with trade-offs. She often travels with minimal luggage, stays in budget accommodations, and has spent a year living mostly out of a backpack. Her travel business leaves little room for a conventional work-life balance, as she dedicates most of her time to behind-the-scenes tasks, including creating content, responding to emails, negotiating partnerships, and organizing group trips.

Despite these challenges, Wood remains focused on expanding her career and eventually setting up her own travel agency, driven by her love for exploration and connecting with people who follow her journey.