Katie Price ‘shuts down travel business venture two weeks in’ – after receiving backlash for attempting to recruit ‘part time’ agents along with Danielle Lloyd

Katie Price has reportedly shut down her travel business venture just two weeks after its launch, following backlash from travel industry executives.

The former glamour model, 47, had created a Katie Price Travels Instagram page, where she posted an advert attempting to recruit InteleTravel agents alongside fellow TV personality Danielle Lloyd.

Danielle, 42, works as an independent travel agent for homeworking agency InteleTravel,  and shares insights on her Instagram account @travelsmarterwithmissdlloyd.

Danielle was pictured in the advert alongside Katie to recruit people to join InteleTravel under the brand Travel Smarter Group. 

The advert read: ‘Join Katie Price and Danielle Lloyd. Hear how you can earn money from travel around your other commitments. Work flexibly. Travel more. Earn extra income.’ 

But the post was met with a wave of criticism from industry insiders. 

Inspire Europe chief executive Lisa Henning criticised the ad, especially following the difficulties faced by the industry amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

She wrote, as reported by Travel Weekly: ‘I very rarely comment publicly on things like adverts being posted about agent recruitment. But seeing Katie Price advertising an event to attract part-time agents this week was a step too far. 

‘For the past 12 days I have worked non-stop, 24/7, supporting our clients and our agents through the disruption affecting Dubai and other destinations.

‘I’ve watched our teams go above and beyond to get people home safely. I’ve seen agents working ridiculous hours for their customers, losing the commission they had earned because trips had to be cancelled or rearranged, and still showing up because that’s what real travel professionals do.

‘I’ve seen agents in tears because they care so much about their clients and are genuinely worried about what’s happening. I have spoken to clients who have been in tears… desperate to get home.

‘So to then see promotions suggesting that you can simply “earn money from travel” with a glossy campaign featuring Katie Price and Danielle Lloyd – positioning the role of a travel agent as something you do casually around other commitments – honestly feels like a huge mockery of our industry.

‘This isn’t a side hustle. This isn’t a gimmick. And it certainly isn’t “easy money while you travel”.’

But Katie Price’s PA responded to the comments, Travel Gossip reported.

She said: ‘Katie has never stated that she personally books travel. She is simply sharing this platform with others to help people become independent travel agents and create an additional income – whether that be part-time or full-time.

‘All agents within the community receive full training and are committed to supporting their clients. Many people join this business to build better financial opportunities for themselves and their families, and they work incredibly hard to do so.

‘It’s disappointing when people try to undermine that effort. Like any travel professional, agents can experience situations such as airline cancellations or changes, which are unfortunately outside of their control.’

She went on to say: ‘Katie was simply advertising an opportunity call.’

She added: ‘It’s important to remember that the people involved in this business are real individuals with real livelihoods. When inaccurate stories or false accusations are written, it doesn’t just affect one person – it can impact the many people who have worked hard to build their businesses.’

Nicola Dack, a travel counsellor, wrote on social media: ‘Please be careful who you trust with your holidays and your hard-earned money.

‘Travel is not a “side hustle”, it is a profession. It is been there 24/7 when the unexpected happens.

‘I have spent 29 years in travel, working full time to support my clients through constant changes, flight disruptions, airline issues and global uncertainty. That level of care and knowledge cannot be squeezed into a one-day online course or a few hours of your time a day… Anyone can sell you a holiday. Not everyone can look after you properly when it really matters.’

Meanwhile, Francesca Barone, owner of Elite Cruises, said she had ‘nothing against either of these women per-se’ but added, according to Travel Weekly: ‘Pop up TAs shouldn’t be taken seriously.’

She said: ‘There is no such thing as easy money in this business – it’s a passion and requires true grit and a determination to succeed come what may and to offer our clients the best possible service in what are sometimes the most challenging of circumstances.’

And @personal_travel_angel added: ‘​I’ve been seeing adverts like this one lately, and to be honest, as someone who has dedicated my life to the travel industry, starting in 1994, it’s a little hard to swallow. 

‘I normally let these things go without comment but after the last ten days I really feel I need to explain my point of view.

‘​The idea that you can just “sign up” and become a travel agent as a quick side hustle alongside other commitments does a massive disservice to the profession. ​Being a travel agent isn’t just about booking a flight or finding a pretty hotel. 

‘Since 1994, I have navigated global crises and travel disruptions, the complex legalities of consumer protection (ATOL/ABTA/Package TravelRegulations), the intricate “behind-the-scenes” of airline ticketing and complex itineraries and building deep-rooted relationships with suppliers that a “hobbyist” simply won’t have.’

Daily Mail has contacted Katie’s representative for comment. Danielle declined to comment at the time.