Travel Counsellors distances itself from MLM schemes in blog post

Travel Counsellors has published a blog post on its website laying out the differences between its business model and those operated by “multi-level marketing (MLM) travel companies and pyramid schemes”.

The article was written in the aftermath of criticism levelled at InteleTravel, which went on to defend itself against the accusation that its homeworkers are running “side hustles” rather than careers.

Travel Counsellors’ post, which has been widely shared by its agents on social media, argues that the company is “worlds apart” from MLMs and outlines key differences.

In a pitch to potential franchisees, the article states its agents are “credible business owners” rather than headhunters.

It promises its homeworkers are trained properly and will only use social media to grow their businesses, adding that they “book for genuine customers, not personal gain”.

It goes on to note its agents run a “full-time business venture rather than a side hustle”.

The article states: “With MLMs, you can usually work as little as you want – with some people only doing a handful of hours per week around other jobs or caring duties. And with that, you have to question the lack of financial reward.

“At Travel Counsellors, it’s completely different. We stipulate that running your franchise is a full-time commitment (with the flexibility to choose hours that work for you and your customers).”

Matt Harding, director of franchise sales at Travel Counsellors, told Travel Weekly: “Our blog is part of our ongoing series to highlight what Travel Counsellors offers to prospective business owners who share our passion for travel and commitment to doing the right by the customer. We aim to communicate and educate transparently about what it means to join Travel Counsellors, attracting ambitious entrepreneurs eager to fulfil their potential.”

During Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards earlier this month, Designer Travel co-founder Amanda Matthews said her agency’s homeworkers “work for a career, not a side hustle”.

Matthews, who picked up the Outstanding Contribution honour with co-founder Karen Pocock, later added: “We are true travel agents. We don’t try to pretend to be anything other than travel agents.

“We are not fair-weather friends to our suppliers. We value our partnerships and work hard with our suppliers.”

Her comments were viewed as an attack on companies including InteleTravel, which has 20,000 agents across the UK and Ireland.

In response to the criticism, InteleTravel UK and Ireland managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes defended the “significant number” of the company’s agents who have another job as a means of supplementing their primary income.

“A secondary income was a lifeline during Covid for so many people who either lost their jobs or were put on the furlough scheme,” she said.

“Now our business model opens up a new opportunity to enter the travel industry and run a business without incurring any large financial burden.

“We are proud to remove barriers to entry and grow the sales pipeline.”

She added: “InteleTravel has advisors who have been with us for a number of years and have successfully transitioned into full-time travel agency businesses.

“The proof is in the response from our suppliers, who welcome the revenues generated through new distribution channels and are overwhelmed by our performance.”

She said the agency’s training was “extremely thorough” and “one of the most stringent programmes in the industry”, adding: “We regularly evaluate it and never rest on our laurels.”