Dream Vacations and CruiseOne River Summit Equips Travel Advisors with In-Depth Industry Insights and Business Growth Strategies

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (April 16, 2025) – The recently concluded Dream Vacations and CruiseOne River Summit aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaKristina provided travel advisors with an immersive educational experience along the Rhone River in France. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne travel advisors expanded their expertise in the river cruise sector with supplier-led workshops, exclusive excursions, and strategic business discussions.

“River cruising is one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel, and our River Summit is designed to give our advisors an edge in this evolving landscape,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne. “Beyond gaining firsthand product knowledge, events like these strengthen the relationships between suppliers, our headquarters team, and fellow franchise owners—creating a network of support and collaboration that fuels long-term business success.”

The 2025 River Summit is part of Dream Vacations/CruiseOne’s Immersive Education Series with the content focused solely on river cruising. The Immersive Education Series engages travel advisors to empower themselves through hands-on education, supplier relationships, and innovative business strategies. On top of the cultural immersion of the AmaKristina itinerary, advisors interacted directly with leading river cruise experts who presented updates on key developments, including AmaWaterways’ expansion into the Amazon River in Colombia and Scenic’s fleet growth plans through 2030. For the first time, land tour operators participated in the summit, offering insights into pre- and post-cruise package extensions that enhance the overall client experience.

Advisors also engaged in experiential learning through exclusive on-the-ground excursions, including a ghost reenactment performance in Viviers, a visit to the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard in Avignon, and an immersive Carrieres des Lumières art show in a limestone quarry, featuring works by Monet and Rousseau set to classical music.

Beyond professional development, the summit underscored the growing opportunities in the charter market, with several advisors leveraging supplier partnerships to expand their businesses. 

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in the charter market as more travelers seek unique and personalized experiences,” said Jessica Slater, a Dream Vacations franchise owner. “Participating in the River Summit gave me the in-depth knowledge and supplier connections needed to confidently step into this space. With the continued support and collaboration across the industry, this has become an exciting area of opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next.”

Slater and several other Dream Vacations and CruiseOne travel advisors have already established successful river charters, including Mara Hargarther, Jennifer Swanson, Mike Ziegenbalg, Trapper Martin, and Denise Valente are just a few notable examples of advisors leading the charge in this arena.

As Dream Vacations and CruiseOne advisors continue to expand their expertise and grow their businesses through events like the River Summit, the power of a supportive network becomes clear. Those looking to turn their passion for travel into a thriving business with the backing of industry-leading education and supplier partnerships can learn more about franchising at www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.

About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne®

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne® are home-based travel agency franchises that give their agents the flexibility to run their businesses their way. CruiseOne, established in 1992, and Dream Vacations, introduced in 2016, provide agents with powerful tools and resources to plan seamless, personalized travel experiences. As part of World Travel Holdings, they have been named franchise partner of the year by major cruise lines and are recognized for their dedication to supporting military veterans. Find out more at www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.