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Travel Dreams Turn Sour: Influencer Schemes Exposed
3 Oct
Summary
- Influencers promote travel jobs promising easy money and travel.
- Recruits pay fees but struggle to earn significant commissions.
- Focus shifts to recruitment over actual holiday sales for profit.
Online promotions by influencers, including Yasmin Hadlow and Vicky Pattison, have enticed individuals with the promise of 'catching flights and getting paid' through travel businesses like InteleTravel, partnered with PlanNet Marketing. These opportunities are marketed as avenues for financial freedom and flexible work.
However, numerous individuals who joined as agents reported paying substantial sign-up fees, around £150, and monthly costs of £30 to £40. After dedicating significant time, many earned minimal commission, as travel suppliers offer about 10% commission, with agents receiving roughly 70% of that.
The focus for many recruits shifted to recruitment itself, as encouraged by their PlanNet Marketing representatives. Joining PlanNet Marketing incurs an additional monthly fee of about £14 and offers small payments for each new recruit. Despite this, PlanNet Marketing's income disclosure shows average annual earnings from recruitment are approximately $40.
Critics suggest this model resembles a multi-level marketing (MLM) operation, though InteleTravel denies this, stating recruitment is an individual choice. Some influencers target specific demographics, such as mothers on maternity leave, promising success and an alternative to traditional employment.
InteleTravel states that success in self-employment is not guaranteed and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a first-year profit guarantee under strict conditions. They also highlight thousands of successful advisors utilizing their resources. However, former agents like Claire, who reached a leadership rank, reported not receiving promised income, with many recruits leaving due to low earnings.
