CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for travel agencies in Massachusetts
232 travel agencies operated in Massachusetts in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 232CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,811mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.3U.S. 2.7
- State rank
- 9th of 51by count
How many travel agencies operate in Massachusetts
The Census Bureau counted 232 travel agencies in Massachusetts in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 561510). They employed 2,811 people in mid-March and reported $245.8 million in annual payroll. That is the 9th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Travel agencies make up 0.13% of the 183,767 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Massachusetts has 3.3 travel agencies, 18.8% above the national rate of 2.7. The average establishment has 12.1 employees against 8.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $87,448, 10.6% below the U.S. figure of $97,789.
| Measure | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 232 | 9,308 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,811 (moderate noise) | 82,899 |
| Annual payroll | $245,816,000 (moderate noise) | $8,106,618,000 (moderate noise) |
| Employees per establishment | 12.1 | 8.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $87,448 | $97,789 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.3 | 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.
Where travel agencies in Massachusetts are concentrated
Census published travel agency counts for 5 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Massachusetts. The largest is Boston, MA-NH, with 198 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 9.9% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA-NH | 198 | 2,673 | 3.9 |
| Providence, RI-MA | 49 | 175 | 2.9 |
| Worcester, MA | 15 | — | 1.7 |
| Springfield, MA | 4 | 14 | 0.9 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 4 | 7 | 1.7 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at travel agencies in Massachusetts
75.5% of Massachusetts's travel agencies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 79.3% nationally. 88.6% 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 | 173 | 75.5% | 79.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 30 | 13.1% | 11.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 14 | 6.1% | 4.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 7 | 3.1% | 2.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 5 | 2.2% | 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.
Calls a travel agency in Massachusetts has to catch
Travel agents plan trips by phone and help travelers when plans go wrong. Reachability during disruptions builds loyalty. That holds for travel agencies in Massachusetts as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to travel agencies in Massachusetts:
- A supplier calls about a booking.
- A couple calls to plan a honeymoon.
- The agent calls a client with options.
What travel agencies text about
Agents text itineraries and travel reminders.
Texting from a local number in Massachusetts requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for travel agencies in Massachusetts
Travel agencies in Massachusetts average 12.1 employees, so the comparison uses a 12-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $360.00 a month and 12 on Ooma Office Pro cost $299.40. Callata comes to $239.00 a month for 12 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,452 less than RingCentral for a travel agency in Massachusetts 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 | $239.00 | $2,868.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $228.00 | $2,736.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $276.00 | $3,312.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $299.40 | $3,592.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $324.00 | $3,888.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $360.00 | $4,320.00 |
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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 978 | 773 | Eastern | 1997 | 351 |
| 781 | 769 | Eastern | 1997 | 339 |
| 617 | 768 | Eastern | 1947 | 857 |
| 508 | 749 | Eastern | 1988 | 774 |
| 413 | 602 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 774 | 524 | Eastern | 2001 | 508 |
| 857 | 362 | Eastern | 2001 | 617 |
| 339 | 104 | Eastern | 2001 | 781 |
| 351 | 92 | Eastern | 2001 | 978 |
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 Massachusetts
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
232 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 2,811 people in mid-March.
Which Massachusetts metro area has the most travel agencies?
Boston, MA-NH, with 198 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 12-person travel agency?
$360.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $299.40 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $239.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Massachusetts 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.