Cruise travel is a billion dollar industry, and offers great opportunities for people looking to start their own business.

1. The Benefits of owning a Cruise Holidays Franchise; Travel Franchise Opportunities
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released a report which details the cruise
industry’s contribution to the American economy in 2009. According to the report, in the U.S.
a staggering $35.1 billion was generated in gross output through cruise travel, and at the same
time, the travel industry provided 313,998 jobs. This reflects the tremendous number of
people who booked cruise vacations in 2009. Consequently, cruise companies are going full
steam ahead, trying to bring the best in unique travel experiences to their passengers.
With cruise travel making such a huge impact in the travel agency world, a number of people
are looking to start their own home travel business. It’s believed that an astounding 90 to 92 %
percent of cruise passengers make their vacation plans using a personal travel planner. This is
instead of searching on the internet by themselves. Savvy travelers depend on the experienced
guidance they can receive only from a travel agency. If the cruise consultant is successful, the
agency can get up to 60% of repeat clientele. A travel agency can be located in a traditional
office setting, or it can be a home travel business, allowing the agent to stay at home, and work
at the same time.
Some companies, like the Cruise Holidays franchise, allow for several business models. One of
those models requires you to operate out of an office that can accommodate clients, but they
do not set your office hours. This allows you the freedom to work at your own times. A typical
travel agent earns about $ 300 in commissions per cruise. People with little or no experience
will benefit from the classes and seminars provided by the Cruise Holidays franchise company.
They ill teach you how to use franchisee marketing, and how to start a travel agency.
Mark Schiffner, vice president of Cruise Holidays, says, “In the Cruise Holidays franchise
network, we’ve designed an award-winning training program, which begins with an online
training program to help you to get started immediately. Then, there’s the Cruise Holidays
weeklong classroom experience, and finally the Cruise University Advanced Training , where A-Z
training for planning group cruises is provided over several days. Further support and training is
provided through online lessons, live chats, regular meetings, annual networking conventions
where franchisees can network with their colleagues, and mid-year meetings.”

2. About Cruise Holidays: The Cruise Holidays franchise is one of the most established and
respected travel agency franchise companies in the U.S. and Canada, with over 200 franchise
owners, including storefronts and home-based franchise owners.
For more information about how you can start your own travel agency, or own a Cruise
Holidays franchise, visit http://www.joincruiseholidays.com or
http://www.canada.joincruiseholidays.com