CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for travel agencies in Maryland
149 travel agencies operated in Maryland in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 149CBP 2023
- Employees
- 528mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.4U.S. 2.7
- State rank
- 18th of 51by count
How many travel agencies operate in Maryland
Maryland had 149 travel agencies in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 561510, Travel Agencies). They employed 528 people in mid-March and reported $35.5 million in annual payroll. That is the 18th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Travel agencies make up 0.10% of the 142,967 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Maryland has 2.4 travel agencies, 13.1% below the national rate of 2.7. The average establishment has 3.5 employees against 8.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $67,176, 31.3% below the U.S. figure of $97,789.
| Measure | Maryland | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 149 | 9,308 |
| Mid-March employees | 528 | 82,899 |
| Annual payroll | $35,469,000 | $8,106,618,000 (moderate noise) |
| Employees per establishment | 3.5 | 8.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $67,176 | $97,789 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.4 | 2.7 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Travel agencies by metro area in Maryland
Census published travel agency counts for 4 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Maryland. The largest is Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, with 207 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 52% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | 207 | 902 | 3.2 |
| Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 183 | 698 | 2.9 |
| Baltimore, MD | 74 | 291 | 2.6 |
| Ocean Pines, MD | 3 | — | 5.5 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at travel agencies in Maryland
85.1% of Maryland's travel agencies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 79.3% nationally. 93.9% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 126 | 85.1% | 79.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 13 | 8.8% | 11.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 4 | 2.7% | 4.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 3.4% | 2.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for travel agencies in Maryland
Travel agents plan trips by phone and help travelers when plans go wrong. Reachability during disruptions builds loyalty.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for travel agencies in Maryland:
- A group organizer calls about a tour.
- The agent calls a client with options.
- A couple calls to plan a honeymoon.
Business texting for travel agencies
Agents text itineraries and travel reminders.
Texting from a local number in Maryland requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for travel agencies in Maryland
Travel agencies in Maryland average 3.5 employees, so the comparison uses a 4-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 4 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $120.00 a month and 4 on Ooma Office Pro cost $99.80. Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 4 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $252 less than RingCentral for a travel agency in Maryland of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $76.00 | $912.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $92.00 | $1,104.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $99.80 | $1,197.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $108.00 | $1,296.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $120.00 | $1,440.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Maryland
Maryland has 6 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a travel agency can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 785 | Eastern | 1997 | 227, 301 |
| 443 | 785 | Eastern | 1997 | 410, 667 |
| 301 | 784 | Eastern | 1947 | 240, 227 |
| 410 | 783 | Eastern | 1991 | 443, 667 |
| 667 | 452 | Eastern | 2012 | 410, 443 |
| 227 | 141 | Eastern | 2023 | 240, 301 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for travel agencies in Maryland
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Maryland is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many travel agencies are in Maryland?
149 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 528 people in mid-March.
Which Maryland metro area has the most travel agencies?
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, with 207 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 4-person travel agency?
$120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $99.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Maryland number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.