Home-based travel agencies CruiseOne, Dream Vacations and Cruises Inc., which are part of World Travel Holdings, report that they experienced double-digit cruise and land sales growth in 2016.
The brands attribute the growth to investments in a new brand, developing new technology, implementing new marketing and offering enhanced training opportunities.
Dream Vacations
The company launched the experiential franchise brand, Dream Vacations, in April 2016. Since then more than 60 percent of the franchise system operates under this brand and more than 90 percent of new franchisees join the network as Dream Vacations. As a result of this new brand, Dream Vacations franchise owners are experiencing on average a 14 percent growth in their cruise business, while their land and resort business has seen a 30 percent growth, for a total sales increase of 17 percent.
Technology
Ongoing multimillion dollar investments have resulted in a revamped information technology department. Most notably, Cruise Fare Watch has monitored millions of dollars in price reductions and has enabled travel agents to upgrade their customers at no additional cost. The IT team started working closely with a committee of agents to launch new tools and resources, such as Cruise Fare Watch, that both improve and enhance the efficiencies of the home-based travel agent, making it possible for them to work from anywhere in the world on any device and browser. In addition to new technologies, there were more than 70 support releases which enhanced all facets of existing technology tools so they can be usable on all browsers and devices.
Marketing
2016 saw an all-time high participation rate with more than 82 percent of the network utilizing the marketing programs offered to them, an increase of 22 percent year over year. The corporate headquarters funded more than $650,000 in promotions such as "National Umbrella Drink Day," a Food Truck Takeover, transportation credit and more, and has plans to increase this amount to more than $1 million in 2017.
Training
Cruises Inc., CruiseOne and Dream Vacations offers its network of travel agents a training platform including modules found in The Learning Center and opportunities to personally meet with their corporate support team, travel industry leaders and each other at Regional Trainings or the National Conference. In 2016, Regional Trainings experienced record attendance of more than 30 percent of the entire network participating, while theNational Conference also saw record engagement with more than half of the agents from all three brands aboard the Carnival Vista in December.
Philanthropy
Giving back is a keystone of World Travel Holdings and its brands and for the past six years Make-A-Wish has been the company's signature charity. In 2016, agents, franchise owners and the corporate Headquarters team donated nearly $115,000, or the equivalent of granting nearly 12 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Fundraising activities included Zumba@Sea - Dance for Wishes, Pie in the Face, exclusive access to Skyride and the silent auction during the annual National Conference, as well as corporate teambuilding events such as the annual Gift Basket Fundraiser. The team also had the opportunity to host a send-off party for a South Florida kid who wished to go to the Florida theme parks.
Network Growth
While the network continues to grow by 10 percent year over year across all brands, recruiting military veterans has become the cornerstone of recruitment efforts. In 2016, CruiseOne/Dream Vacations celebrated the fifth anniversary of its flagship program "Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General" and since 2012 has given away 25 complimentary franchises to military veterans valued at more than $317,000.
In 2016, CruiseOne, Dream Vacations and Cruises Inc. continued to receive prestigious accolades beyond the travel and franchise industries, confirming its dominance as a supporter of small businesses and as a top company in the Southeast. For the fifth and third consecutive years respectively, CruiseOne, Dream Vacations and Cruises Inc. were recognized as a Top Private Company by South Florida Business Journal and Florida Trend, as well as a Top Workplace by Workplace Dynamics and Sun Sentinel.
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