Debunking the ‘become an online travel agent just like me’ remote work myth

The dream of earning a location-independent income while working as a self-employed “travel agent” appeals to many aspiring remote workers and digital nomads. But what appears to be a legitimate opportunity often turns out to be part of a multilevel marketing (MLM) scheme. Companies like InteleTravel promote the idea that anyone can become a “travel business owner,” but the reality is far from the glossy promises in their marketing materials.

So it’s time to look at exactly why a travel MLM is unlikely to result in the career you’re hoping for, why such schemes can drain your time and money, and how legitimate remote work in the travel industry operates.

What is a travel MLM, and why do they target digital nomads?

A travel MLM is a multilevel marketing business model disguised as a way to start “your own travel agency”. Companies like InteleTravel and others allow individuals to “join” as independent travel agents. These agents are required to pay a monthly fee to access training and booking platforms, often alongside additional fees for marketing materials or conferences.

MLMs in the travel industry target digital nomads and remote workers by promising a flexible lifestyle, low startup costs, and an income that seems achievable for anyone. Ads often feature exotic locations and claims like, “Travel the world while earning money!” or “Turn your passion for travel into a business.” However, the actual experience rarely aligns with these promises.

Why do we consider that travel MLMs area not a real ‘business opportunity’?

1. The business model relies on recruitment, not selling travel

One key red flag with travel MLMs is their heavy reliance on recruiting new members. While these companies may claim that agents earn commissions by booking travel, their income disclosure statements reveal a different story. For instance:

🚩 According to the 2024 PlanNet Marketing (the company behind Inteletravel) Income Disclosure Statement 2024, 92% of agents earned $less than $41 in commissions for the year. Yes, some people are earning BIG money - but just look how few they are, in percentage terms. This is exactly how the ‘greater fool’ principle of continual recruitment into the downline works.
(Different holding company? Google it. Your Upline won’t share this information spontaneously…)

🚩 The majority of income comes from recruiting others into the program rather than selling travel services. This closely resembles a pyramid scheme, where participants are incentivised to bring in new recruits to keep the system afloat.

🚩 Instead of running a real travel business, agents often spend their time trying to convince others to sign up for the same “opportunity.”

2. Monthly fees erode earnings

A legitimate business should generate revenue, not cost you money every month. Travel MLM agents typically pay between €30–€50 per month in subscription fees, alongside optional expenses for events, training, or marketing tools.

For example:

• Joining a travel MLM like InteleTravel costs £32 a month, or £384 annually.

• Additional costs for conferences, marketing kits, or required sales targets often push this total much higher.

For most participants, commissions earned do not even cover these fees.

3. Minimal training and expertise

Becoming a skilled travel agent requires more than just signing up for a membership. Professional travel agents undergo significant training to understand the nuances of the industry, such as creating itineraries, navigating complex booking systems, and handling customer service.

Travel MLMs provide only superficial training, often in the form of pre-recorded videos or self-guided modules. This is insufficient to compete with established travel agents or automated online booking platforms like Expedia or Booking.com.

Without proper training, most participants struggle to offer value as travel agents, further limiting their earning potential.

Why skilled travel industry roles are a better option

If you’re passionate about travel and want to build a legitimate remote career, there are real opportunities within the industry. Many established travel agencies and companies hire remote professionals for roles that require real skills and expertise, including:

Customer Experience (CX) Roles

Remote customer experience jobs are ideal for those with strong communication skills. These roles involve assisting clients with bookings, managing travel-related issues, and providing support across various time zones. Unlike MLM schemes, these jobs pay a fixed salary and often include benefits.

Travel content creation

Many travel companies hire remote writers, social media managers, or content creators to promote their services. These roles allow you to combine a passion for travel with creative skills, without requiring upfront fees or dubious income promises.

Corporate travel agents

Legitimate travel agencies often hire remote agents with prior industry experience to manage corporate accounts. These roles require significant expertise but offer stable, commission-based income from actual travel sales.

Concierge luxury travel booking
Yes, old-fashioned ‘travel agents’ still exist, even though you don’t tend to find them on the high street these days. High-end travel companies use skilled and experienced agents to help customers plan and book personal travel face-to-face, often by home visits. This could be for mature travellers less comfortable booking online, for those with unique needs requiring destination expertise or additional support, or simply those wealthy enough and preferring to plan their holidays conversationally, rather than on a screen.

As you can imagine, these opportunities are not great in number, and not typically remote.

At Remote Work Europe we know that many in our community are passionate about travel and greatly experienced in the nomadic/business travel lifestyle, which could be a great background for industry roles. But this alone doesn’t make you qualified for a real job in the industry - it just makes you an obvious target for these kind of schemes.

As such we actively seek out legitimate vacancies for our newsletter, because we know they’ll appeal to those with the right experience and qualifications, including commission based sales roles.

🤦🏻‍♀️ At the same time, we block and delete comments and posts in our communities EVERY DAY, from people trying to recruit new members into their ‘team’. Because this is not how recruitment for real remote work works!

Remember: When considering any remote opportunity in any industry, watch for these signs of legitimacy:

No Upfront Fees: Genuine jobs won’t require you to pay to start working.

Clear Job Descriptions: Real companies outline the skills and responsibilities required for the role.

Transparent Income: Employers or clients should offer clear compensation terms, whether salary or commission-based.

Focus on Service, Not Recruitment: Legitimate travel roles focus on selling travel services, not signing up others to do the same.

Joining a travel MLM like InteleTravel is unlikely to provide the financial freedom or remote work lifestyle you’re looking for. These schemes rely on recruitment, not sales, and leave most participants with more expenses than income.

For those genuinely interested in a career in travel, pursuing remote roles with established companies is a much better choice. Look for opportunities that focus on delivering skilled work, offer stable compensation, and allow you to grow professionally.