Cruise Planners’ Business Model is Ideal for Armed Forces and First Responders – Earns Praise from Franchise Business Review
Cruise Planners’ Business Model is Ideal for Armed Forces and First Responders – Earns Praise from Franchise Business Review
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is once again recognized by Franchise Business Review as Top Franchise for Veterans
Coral Springs, Fla. – March 7, 2017 – Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, the nation’s largest home-based travel agency franchise network in the industry, is recognized by Franchise Business Review for its commitment to transitioning, training and supporting veterans, the active military community and their spouses. Franchise Business Review is a national franchise market research firm that provides industry benchmarks for franchisee satisfaction. The recognition identifies Cruise Planners as a Top Franchise for Veterans showing that the company is an outstanding brand evaluated by those who know the company best—the franchise owners. The company recently expanded its military incentive program to include Armed Forces and First Responders.
Cruise Planners has expanded its Veteran’s Initiative to now include all Armed Forces (active and retired) and the First Responder Community since it offers the ideal home-based franchise business.
“We know that armed forces personnel and first responders are ideal for our franchise model as their leadership skills and our on-the-job training allow them to run their own business, without needing travel experience,” said Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. “We are committed to helping the military and public service communities transition to civilian life by being small business owners and entrepreneurs using the Cruise Planners business model.”
Cruise Planners recently revamped its Armed Forces and First Responders Initiative Program, which is dedicated to making it easy for the entire military and first responder community to combine their passion for travel and entrepreneurial spirit. The program includes up to $4,000 in benefits, incorporating additional tools for success such as a marketing credit, more than 25 percent in savings, free Cruise Planners military or first responders postcard and allowing an additional attendee to the Cruise Planners’ six-day training program. The wealth of support and benefits that Cruise Planners offers has helped the military community to account for nearly 20 percent of Cruise Planners franchise owners. People with a passion for travel and a connection to the military should become a work from home travel agent with Cruise Planners by visitingwww.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.
Cruise Planners Franchise Owner, Russ Russell, is a United States Veteran who was able to combine his military experience and passion for travel and turn it into a lucrative small business. Those looking to start a travel agency with Cruise Planners should visit www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.
“With the right training and support, you can sell travel and be successful, and I knew my passion for travel would be a recipe for success,” says Russ Russell, U.S. Veteran and Cruise Planners franchise owner. “The path to building a successful business is not an expressway; it’s more like a meandering country road that eventually gets you where you want to go so long as you have the right map to guide you. Cruise Planners provides a turn-key, business-in-a-box strategy to make me successful.”
Cruise Planners gave Russell the tools, guidance and support to become a travel professional and an expert in his field. He then took his military training and utilized it to become successful just a few short years. Those looking to become a travel agent with Cruise Planners should visit www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.
About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a network of more than 1,800 franchise owners who independently book amazing vacation and travel experiences for their clients. The Florida-based Home Office Team positions a nation-wide network of franchise owners for success by providing innovative marketing, booking and technology tools, as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives. The company continues to be lauded and has been named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 14 consecutive years. Cruise Planners was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology, has been consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has been ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Franchise Business Review for 6 years in a row, and was recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel since it started ranking companies.
Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. with more than 22 years of experience, Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include numerous Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for 13 consecutive years (2004-2016), American Express Agency of the Year (2010), Royal Caribbean International Chairman’s Award (2015), Royal Caribbean International President’s Award for Overall Achievement (2012 and 2014), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007-2013), Norwegian Cruise Line Elite Agency of the Year (2016), Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2011-2015), Celebrity Cruises Home-Based Partner of the Year (2016), Celebrity Cruises Field Sales Account of the Year (2015), Celebrity Cruises Home-Based Account of the Year (2013-2014) and Celebrity Cruises Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year (2010), Travel Impressions Best of the Best Globe Award (2008-2016), Sandals Top Host – Worldwide, Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2009-2016), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises (2009-2015), Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Top Producer (2008-2014) and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer. Cruise Planners is one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according to GI magazine, the Top Franchise Brand for Veterans according to Franchise Business Review, has been named one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by Black Enterprise magazine and is a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. For more information, visit www.cruiseplanners.com.
Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting ourmedia room, following us on Twitter @Cruisitude or on Facebook. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit the Cruise Planners franchise website at http://www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com/.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Gardner, Director of Public Relations
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative
CGardner@cruiseplanners.com
954-344-8060