Dream Vacations Announces Winners for “Operation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own General” Contest

Top travel agency franchise for veterans has given away 64 free home-based travel businesses since 2012

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (December 12, 2024) – One of the leading travel agency franchises for veterans, Dream Vacations, recently awarded three military veterans with free travel franchises as part of its annual award-winning business plan contest “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General.” Currently more than 35 percent of franchise owners within Dream Vacations are military veterans and in the past decade, the travel agency franchise has awarded 64 free franchises valued at more than $700,000 to deserving military veterans.

“Helping military veterans and their families achieve their entrepreneurial dreams is truly an honor,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations. “The talent and drive we see in these candidates are unmatched, and I can’t wait to see all they’ll accomplish this year.”

The Dream Vacations franchise contest was open to former members of any of the six branches of the U.S. military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard) who are retired, off active duty and/or honorably discharged prior to the contest start date and are residents of the U.S. Candidates participated in a rigorous three-part application process which included creating a business plan, video essay and phone interviews. More than 5,000 people have applied for franchise ownership through Operation Vetrepreneur since 2012.

This year’s winners are U.S. Army Veteran David Conklin of Spring, Texas; U.S. Army Veteran Josh Bauer of Saint Cloud, Minn.; and U.S. Navy Veteran Jonathan Oringdulph of Elkins, W.Va.

“Having a business of my own means so much coming from three generations of entrepreneurs in my family. I am so excited to share my passion for travel through my new Dream Vacations franchise,” said Oringdulph. “I feel that my experience as a veteran will enhance my ability to help others get the most out of travel, whether it’s a trip to enjoy rest and relaxation or to discover a new adventure with family or friends!”

All military veterans who purchase a Dream Vacations travel agency business receive a 30 percent discount off the initial franchisee fee. Veterans also receive an enlistment package valued at more than $5,000, which includes waived administrative fees valued at $1,350. In addition to having access to the Command Center, an internal portal with veteran-specific training and veteran-themed marketing assets, all veterans and Gold Star families receive a waived training fee for a business partner and the ability to hire active-duty military spouses and veterans as associates at a discount. Additional veteran incentives include the ability to move residences and stay in business, travel discounts for military customers and access to veteran networking groups.

As the only travel franchise to receive a 5 STAR ranking from VetFran, Dream Vacations proudly supports military veterans and is consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a veteran-friendly franchise. It is ranked the #3 franchise for veterans by Entrepreneur magazine in 2024, and other recent number one rankings include Military Times and Forbes. Additional recognitions include inclusion on G.I. Jobs annual “Hot Franchises for Veterans,” US Veterans magazine’s “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies”, USA Today’s “50 Top Franchises for Military Veterans” and recognition by MSC Cruises in its Seaside Salute Award. The Operation Vetrepreneur program won gold from the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and the IFA Franchising Gives Back Awards.

Dream Vacations is committed to being “Rich in Diversity” and empowers all owners, franchisees and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent, experiences, personalities, viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth.

Military veterans and community heroes who are passionate about travel with an entrepreneurial spirit who would like to be part of a travel agency network that cares more about its agents, travelers and military veterans, should visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com or call 888-249-8235 to learn about franchising with Dream Vacations.

About Dream Vacations
Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information about Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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Travel Industry Titans Inspire with Fireside Chat Finale at Dream Vacations/CruiseOne National Conference

$127,000 raised for Make-A-Wish^® Southern Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 26, 2024) – The grand finale of the 2024 Dream Vacations/CruiseOne National Conference aboard Celebrity Ascent was marked by an engaging fireside chat between World Travel Holdings Co-CEO/Chairman Brad Tolkin and Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. This insightful session provided travel advisors with valuable industry perspectives and strategies for success in the evolving travel landscape.

Tolkin shared his thoughts on the continued surge in leisure travel, highlighting that despite economic uncertainties, travel remains a top priority for consumers. ” Despite economic fluctuations, the desire for travel remains unwavering,” said Tolkin. ” We’ve seen that people are willing to prioritize meaningful experiences and make memories that last a lifetime. The advisors in this room are leading the charge in capturing this demand, offering personalized travel solutions that resonate with clients. As we look ahead, it’s clear that investing in both technology and education will enable our network to continue thriving and exceeding traveler expectations.”

Daly echoed this optimism, inspiring attendees to focus on what truly matters in both business and life. He motivated the crowd by citing specific travel advisor success stories to paint the picture that there are many paths forward. “To achieve success, it’s about being intentional with your choices, staying focused on your goals, and loving what you do,” said Daly. He urged travel advisors to carry the energy and enthusiasm from this week into 2025, encouraging them to stay dedicated to their growth and client relationships.

To close out the 2024 National Conference, Daly was joined on stage by Debbie Fiorino, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, to discuss their favorite moments and key takeaways from this year’s conference and to encourage the network to take advantage of the AI trainings and tools available to them.

Continuing a long-standing tradition of giving back, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne once again supported Make-A-Wish^® Southern Florida, raising an impressive $127,000 during the conference. Fundraising events included a lively dance-off, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction, allowing attendees to actively participate in supporting this meaningful cause. Over the course of a 13-year partnership, World Travel Holdings has raised more than $1.8 million to help make dreams come true for children facing critical illnesses.

“National Conference is an opportunity for our large family to get together in-person and it’s jam-packed with inspiration, networking, rekindling and forging new friendships and of course having fun,” said Daly. “This year’s National Conference ended on such a positive note, and we will carry that momentum through 2025, picking up where we left off when we set sail on the Star Princess for next year’s National Conference.”

Those passionate about travel with an entrepreneurial spirit who would like to be part of a travel agency network that cares more about its agents and travelers, should visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com to learn about franchising with Dream Vacations.

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Comprehensive AI Suite for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne Franchisees A Major Focal Point at 2024 National Conference

Suite of innovative AI tools empower advisors to streamline workflows and boost efficiency

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 25, 2024) – At the Dream Vacations/CruiseOne National Conference aboard Celebrity Ascent, franchise owners experienced the latest AI-driven tools designed to elevate productivity, streamline marketing, and enhance client engagement. Education is the foundation for attendees to understand AI technology and to ensure it is used to its maximum potential.

To help franchisees fully leverage the power of AI, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne hired LinkedIn Learning’s most popular AI instructor to speak at this year’s Conference to educate and inspire the utilization of AI. Renowned AI trainer, Dave Birss was flown in from the UK to provide hands-on guidance and share best practices and strategies for integrating AI effectively into business. Birss led multiple workshops so advisors could gain the skills and insights needed to drive business growth and remain competitive in an ever-evolving market.

“AI is a powerful tool, but we want to make sure that our network can put it to use with confidence. Offering resources is one thing, but we felt it was critical to provide our network with one of the most revered trainers, so they know how to effectively use this cutting-edge technology,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne. “While we have invested in a robust suite of AI tools, this is only the beginning. We are always researching, enhancing and launching new technologies, so that our advisors can spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time building client relationships and expanding their business.”

Consolidating its AI tools into a suite is an evolution of the already robust technology offered to franchisees. It builds upon the foundation of predictive index technology the network has been utilizing for years, such as Cruise Fare Watch. The AI tools offer a comprehensive range of content creation and automation tools including tailored itinerary builders, captivating social media posts, engaging email for client communications, dynamic content for blogs, integration of rich visuals, AI education and more.

Tailored Itinerary Builders. Travel itinerary content and supplier integrations have been combined with the power of AI so advisors can import bookings and itinerary information faster than ever.

Captivating Social Media. The franchises social media capabilities simplify the process of creating relevant, timely and consistent content. From generating custom posts and captions to responding to client reviews, the use of AI for social, ensures advisors can maintain an engaging presence that adapts to audience needs and resonates with their unique client base.

Engaging Marketing Content. This AI powered system allows advisors to build out a full marketing campaign including emails, social media posts and more — AI tools are helping travel advisors be more effective than ever before.

Dynamic Blog Posts. Using advanced AI functionality travel advisors can brainstorm ideas, create outlines, fine tune already written content and create customized articles/blog posts for their website. This allows advisors to write a higher volume of content more consistently.

Training and Best Practices. In 2025, Dream Vacations’/CruiseOne’s Learning Center will receive an AI powered Learning Assistant allowing travel advisors to quickly seek help finding relevant training or receive concise course summaries with step-by-step instructions. For example, an advisor can ask, “How do I enter bonus commission?” and receive curated, step-by-step instructions.

As Dream Vacations/CruiseOne continues to embrace the future of AI, franchise owners are poised to make meaningful connections with clients while streamlining operations. To learn more about joining a forward-thinking network, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.

About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^®
A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne^® has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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Dream Vacations/CruiseOne Unveils Enhanced Website Packed with Cutting-Edge Technology

Innovative Digital Assistant, SEO Optimization, and Enhanced User Experience Set a New Standard in Travel Planning

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 20, 2024) – Dream Vacations/CruiseOne is announcing the upcoming launch of its high-tech, newly designed website homepage and easy-to-use agent content management tool. This site is being created to allow its franchise owners and associates the ability to customize the homepage based on travel niches and increase search visibility. The news captivated the crowd at the Dream Vacations and CruiseOne National Conference on Celebrity Ascent.

“By using the latest technology advancements, we’re crafting a website experience that’s efficient, engaging, and uniquely personalized,” said Sandi Szalay, vice president of technology for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “While this is an exciting launch, every day, we are elevating our technology and new technology releases are being launched monthly for our network of travel advisors.”

Cutting-edge CMS (Content Management System) Tool. Franchise owners can easily personalize their website content. This tool acts as a digital assistant, allowing them to update images, links, banners, suppliers, and types of vacations – all tailored to their specific client base and niche. It’s designed to be intuitive and straightforward, making website management as easy as editing an email. While franchise owners have long had the ability to create customized landing pages, it’s now easier and more efficient than ever. Thanks to the digital assistant tool, they can leverage professionally designed templates to ensure their pages are visually appealing and SEO optimized. This enhancement maximizes their potential to drive organic traffic and engage their target audience effectively.

Increased Search Visibility. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is also a significant focus of the website update, with numerous aspects tailored to enhance search visibility. Features such as URL structure, the Mega Menu, and custom landing page creation are all optimized for SEO, ensuring maximum reach and engagement. Furthermore, Google Analytics is seamlessly integrated into the digital assistant tool, providing franchise owners with a streamlined experience to track website performance and make data-driven decisions effortlessly.

“We’re thrilled to introduce an enhanced website that makes it effortless for our network of travel advisors to market themselves and increase their online visibility,” shared Alicia Linden, vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “We provide turn-key marketing tools, and we are always looking for new ways to create efficiencies for our travel advisors so they can focus on what they do best — creating dream vacations for their clients. This site enhancement will provide that.”

Optimized Mega Menu. The website’s customer-centric design stands out with its Mega Menu, a user-friendly navigation tool that is also optimized for SEO. The Mega Menu offers guests a comprehensive view of destinations, activities, and various types of vacations to suit all customers’ dream vacations desires. This intuitive design ensures every interaction is crafted for ease of use so users can find everything they need quickly and efficiently, making the planning process seamless and enjoyable.

Powerful Shopping and Booking Engine. With innovative solutions at its core, the website will continue to offer the industry-leading cruise promo engine, search engine and booking engine – a platform that is used by many brands across the travel industry with a reputation of reliability, innovation and a smooth customer journey. A cornerstone of the enhanced website is the continuation of Dream Vacations’ cruise search engine, booking engine and promo engine. These state-of-the-art tools have always provided exceptional service and are leveraged by dozens of top companies in the travel industry, ensuring clients receive the best cruise options and deals seamlessly.

“Our parent company World Travel Holdings is one of the biggest leisure travel companies in the world and powers the cruise shopping and booking engines for its white-label partners who are travel industry giants such as Booking.com, Priceline.com and all of the major airlines, to name a few,” said Debbie Fiorino, senior vice president and COO for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “By being part of World Travel Holdings, our network of travel advisors benefit from the best booking engine in the industry.”

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Villas of Distinction® Unveils Exclusive Cyber Week Travel Deals

Guests Receive Up to $2,000 Cashback or Concierge Credit

Wakefield, Mass. (November 19, 2024) – This holiday season, Villas of Distinction_® is thrilled to announce two exclusive Cyber Week offers, letting guests choose between up to $2,000 Cashback or an up to $2,000 Concierge Credit, elevating their villa vacation experience. Guests who book a Villas of Distinction villa from November 24, 2024, through December 8, 2024, for travel November 24, 2024, through December 31, 2025, will receive one of these valuable offers. Both featured promotions are paid upon deposit.

Villas of Distinction’s guest-first philosophy ensures every moment of a guest’s vacation is thoughtfully curated. From helping select a stunning villa to creating a fully customized vacation with personalized touches. With this Cyber Week exclusive offer, guests will find value in using the Cashback on shopping, dining, and more, or the Concierge Credit for exclusive services, from private chefs to unique excursions, creating a personalized and unforgettable vacation experience.

Cashback Offer:

Booking Value	Villas of Distinction Visa Prepaid Card
$5,000 – $15,000	$150
$15,001 – $25,000	$250
$25,001 – $35,000	$350
$35,001 – $50,000	$500
$50,001 – $75,000	$750
$75,001 – $100,000	$1,000
$100,001 +	$2,000

For more information about our exclusive Cyber Week offers, please visit www.VillasofDistinction.com or call 800-289-0900.

*Direct Guests Terms and Conditions:
Offer valid for new bookings made between 11/24/24 – 12/08/24 for travel between 11/24/24 – 12/31/25. Amount is based on the base villa cost only. Minimum booking value applies. Cash back will be paid in a Villas of Distinction Visa® Prepaid Card upon deposit. Villas of Distinction Visa® Prepaid Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 12 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply. Offer is valid for travel advisors’ clients. The Villas of Distinction Prepaid Card will be mailed directly to the travel advisors’ client within 30 days of deposit. Client mailing address must be provided. May not be combinable with other offers. All offers are subject to availability and may not apply to all villas or travel dates. Other restrictions may apply; please call for full details.

About Villas of Distinction_®
Villas of Distinction_®, as part of World Travel Holdings, is an award-winning, full-service villa experience creator with a portfolio of thousands of privately-owned villas in more than 52 destinations worldwide including the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Central America, and beyond. Many villas feature excellent staff and state-of-the-art amenities – like private pools, home theaters, in-villa game rooms, and fitness centers. The luxury villa provider has gained its guests’ trust by ensuring every villa meets strict standards so that each home exceeds expectations. Since 1989, the Villas of Distinction team have made vacation planning effortless by pairing travelers find their perfect vacation home and curating one-of-a-kind getaways at the world’s top villas. Travel Advisors have named Villas of Distinction as the Gold and Silver winner for “Best Villa Rental Company Overall” in the annual Travvy Awards since 2015. www.villasofdistinction.com

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Top Travel Agents Recognized During Awards Ceremony at 2024 Dream Vacations and CruiseOne National Conference

Moms at Sea Travel Wins the Bobbye Haupt Franchise of the Year Award

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 19, 2024) – It was a star-studded and touching evening filled with laughter, tears, and awe at the Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^® annual awards ceremony hosted by Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager, Joelle Delva, vice president of operations, and Dawn Gillis, director of network sales and support. The interactive and engaging ceremony featured mesmerizing performances thanks to the wonderous talent onboard the Celebrity Ascent.

The Franchise of the Year Award was re-named the Bobbye Haupt Franchise of the Year Award in memory of a beloved franchisee who passed away in September 2021. She led by example, inspired many, and left a legacy in our network. Under the leadership of franchise owner Jamie Margolis Ross, Moms at Sea Travel was recognized as this year’s Bobbye Haupt Franchise of the Year. With her deep passion for travel, she took her engaged family travel Facebook community and transformed it into a thriving business.

“This award means so much to me and I know how much it means to our incredible network of talented travel advisors and business savvy owners,” says Ross. ‘It’s wonderful to be recognized from an award named after a strong woman in the travel industry. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to balance work and family life. But my family and community keep me motivated.”

Ross launched her franchise, Moms at Sea Travel, in August 2021 to satisfy her love of travel. Since then, Moms at Sea has grown into a booming juggernaut. Her franchise and her family have been featured in publications including Travel Weekly, Entrepreneur, and USA Today. Ross took home Rookie of the Year at a previous conference and has skyrocketed her franchise to join the Circle of Excellence, an elite group of the top one to two percent of all Dream Vacations and CruiseOne sellers. She has made an incredible mark on the travel community with her original Facebook page soaring to more than 110,000 members, connecting mothers to share travel experiences and tips.

The onboard ceremony honored departmental awards where advisors were recognized for their sales, marketing, public relations, social media, IT, and more. The ceremony also recognized those who served the network by participating on a committee, those with milestone anniversaries, and top-producing advisors.

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Elevating Experiences: Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Host 2024 National Conference at Sea, Supporting Make-A-Wish®!

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Travel Advisors Embark on Weeklong Itinerary Filled with Learning and Philanthropy

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 18, 2024) – The excitement was palpable as Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^® kicked off its highly anticipated 2024 National Conference aboard Celebrity Cruises^® Celebrity Ascent. Anchored by this year’s conference theme, ELEVATE, the event aims to inspire franchisees to reach new heights in their business, delivering elevated experiences, expertise, and innovations for the ever-evolving world of travel. Attendees set sail on a seven-night Caribbean cruise visiting Bimini, Grand Turk, and Grand Cayman.

The conference opened with an energized welcome ceremony led by Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, who introduced this year’s theme. ELEVATE represents a collective commitment to transcend the ordinary, push business limits, and capitalize on every opportunity for growth.

“Our theme this year, ELEVATE, challenges us to reimagine the standards of travel and service, to sharpen our skills, and to embrace innovations that will propel our businesses to new heights,” said Daly.

Throughout the week, three dynamic general sessions will offer franchisees the chance to hear directly from industry experts and Dream Vacations’ leadership, so all attendees leave with practical tools to elevate their businesses. Celebrity Entertainment set the tone for a memorable conference, capped by a Q&A panel led by David Crooks, senior vice president of product and operations for World Travel Holdings joined by Celebrity Cruises leaders Katina Athanasiou, Keith Lane, and Michael Scheiner.

Notable workshops, such as “Hey ChatGPT, Book My Clients a Vacation! How to Use AI Tools to Be More Effective and Efficient,” led by AI expert Dave Birss, reflects this commitment to future-forward thinking. Meanwhile, sales strategist Stuart Cohen will guide attendees through his 15-step plan in “Instantly Engage More Prospects,” providing a strategic framework to deepen connections with new clients.

The conference will also feature Make-A-Wish fundraising activities, including a spirited dance-off and a silent auction, continuing the 13-year tradition of supporting the organization. World Travel Holdings has raised over $1.6 million for Make-A-Wish. This year’s event brought together more than 900 participants, including 600 travel advisors, all focused on learning, connecting, and making an impact.

Attendees will also enjoy special meetups for new agents and military members, nightly themed cocktail parties, and tailored workshops for beginners, intermediate, and advanced agents.

“Our conference is not just an event -it’s an embodiment of our values,” said Daly. “Every day onboard will challenge us to inspire us to elevate ourselves and our businesses, ultimately providing even more remarkable experiences for our clients.”

About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^®
A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne^® has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise, and watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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Dream Vacations/CruiseOne Secures Four Coveted 2024 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards

Two Gold and two Silver for its innovative technology, marketing campaign and philanthropic efforts

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (October 17, 2024) – Travel Weekly, a top travel industry trade publication, recognized Dream Vacations/CruiseOne with four Magellan Awards. With a record number of entries from across the U.S. and around the world, the Magellan Award winners represent the best in the travel industry and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all.

We are extremely excited that the work of our team was recognized from such a prestigious listing,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “The 2024 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards are an indication of our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence within the travel industry. We provide our network of travel advisors with the tools and support they need to succeed, and these wins show our unwavering dedication to their success.”

Gold Winners

The Dream Vacations NASDAQ Billboard in Times Square and D.C. Metro Ads combined for nearly 19 million impressions. The billboard design featured the Dream Vacations brand and a QR code that drove traffic to its Q1 sweepstakes resulting in increased lead generation for travel advisors, brand awareness, and promoted the value of a travel advisor. The billboards also increased overall visibility and website traffic when a consumer searched for an agent on the corporate website via our Agent Directory.

Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, just like its parent company, World Travel Holdings, has created a culture of giving. Dream Vacations/CruiseOne Gives Back takes a wholistic approach to enriching community. All employees are given a paid Volunteer Day to support an organization of their choice. The company’s signature charity is Make-A-Wish^®, and since 2011 its employees and the Dream Vacations/CruiseOne network of travel advisors have donated more than $1.6 million to help grant wishes to more than 140 children with critical illnesses. Additionally, every year on the anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., our office hosts a moment of silence to remember the victims and to honor those impacted by the event. This year, employees wrote a boxful full of cards to benefit Cards for Hospitalized Kids, who distribute cards to sick children across the country. In addition, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne recruited military veterans to enlist in its 13th annual, award-winning “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest. Dream Vacations/CruiseOne will be awarding three veterans a free franchise as part of the nationwide contest that since 2012, has given away 61 franchises valued at more than $700,000 dollars.

Silver Winners

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne took its training offerings to the next level by creating and launching three new educational series to enrich travel advisors who make up its vast network. The Foundation Series, the Masterclass Series, and the Business Intensive classes all target travel advisors with the appropriate experience levels to curate content enhancing their knowledge and know-how.

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne hosted its first-ever Marketing and Technology (MarTech) Summit, an evolution of the company’s successful Marketing Summits in 2022 and 2023. This year’s featured keynote speakers were Margie Jordan on keeping up with what’s trending on social media marketing, Google advertising for small business owners with Pamela Starr and LinkedIn Learning’s number one trainer on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Dave Birss.

Some of the standout sessions during the two-day summit included:

Cruise Control Tools
List Import, Export and Segmentation from Cruise Control
Creating Trackable Links to Track Campaign ROI
Working With Microsoft Excel
Working With Exchange Online
Leveraging Marketing Programs to Increase Sales
Customizing Cruise Control
Applying Scrum Principles to Your Business Planning

The Magellan Awards honor outstanding design, marketing and services in a broad range of industry segments including Hospitality, Travel Destinations, Cruise Lines, Online Travel Services, Airlines and Airports, Travel Agents and Agencies, Tour Operators and Ground Transportation.

“The entries that are recognized in the 17th annual Travel Weekly Magellan Awards demonstrate that the industry is more than up to the task attracting consumer attention amidst a din of competing messages” said Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly. “Once again, your peers have produced inspiring promotional campaigns and travel product designs. I’ve been involved in every Magellan program from its inception, and this year’s group has impressed me like none that came before.”

The Magellan Awards are judged and overseen by a one-of-a-kind panel of top travel professionals representing the best names and most accomplished leaders from the industry. In determining winners, entries do not compete with one another, instead they are judged against a standard of excellence based on the long experience of Travel Weekly. To uphold this high standard of excellence, a category may have multiple winners or may have no winners at all.

For a complete list of winners, please visit www.travelweeklyawards.com.

About Travel Weekly
Travel Weekly is the most influential provider of news, research, opinion, and analysis to the North American travel trade marketplace. It reaches a broad industry audience in print, online and with face-to-face events throughout the year. Travel Weekly is a division of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Northstar Travel Media, the largest travel business-to-business travel publisher in the world.

About Northstar Travel Group
Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B information and marketing solutions company serving all segments of the travel industry including leisure/retail, corporate/business travel, corporate and sports meetings, incentives, hospitality, and travel technology. Northstar is the owner of leading brands serving these travel segments. The company produces more than 100 face-to-face events in 13 countries in retail travel, hospitality, corporate travel, travel technology, sports travel, and the meetings & incentive industry. In addition, Northstar owns Phocuswright, the leading research and event producer serving the travel technology industry. Northstar

Travel Group owns the BHN Group, the leading producer of hotel investment conferences.

Northstar is also the majority shareholder in Inntopia, the leading SaaS e-commerce software business serving the mountain destination, golf, activities, and hospitality markets. Based in Rutherford, NJ, the company has seven offices in the U.S., UK, and Singapore. Northstar Travel Group is owned by funds managed by EagleTree Capital.

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World Travel Holdings Announces Exciting Partnership with Southwest Airlines – Southwest Cruises!

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Members receive exclusive deals by booking through Southwest Cruises

Wakefield, Mass. (October 1, 2024) – World Travel Holdings, the nation’s largest cruise agency, and award-winning leisure travel company, is thrilled to announce a major milestone in our business: a partnership with Southwest Airlines^®! Known for its strong loyalty program, Southwest Airlines brings even more value to its passengers through this exclusive partnership. With Southwest Cruises, customers can now easily book their dream cruise vacations directly at southwestcruises.com, powered by World Travel Holdings.

As a bonus, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Members can earn one Rapid Rewards® point for every dollar spent on cruise bookings (excluding taxes, port charges, and insurance), making it easier for loyal customers to rack up points and enjoy future travel experiences. Plus, from now through Oct. 31, 2024, Members can earn two times the Rapid Rewards® points on all eligible Southwest Cruises booked on southwestcruises.com!

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Southwest Airlines to our family of partner brands and look forward to providing remarkable cruise experiences along with even more ways to earn points for their loyal members,” said George Andreopoulos, Vice President of Business Development, at World Travel Holdings. “By joining forces with such a trusted airline, we’re now offering Southwest Customers even more travel options. Southwest Cruises represents a unique opportunity for Rapid Rewards® Members to combine their love of flying with unforgettable cruise vacations.”

“Southwest is focused on enhancing our products to give Customers more choices and flexibility,” said Phil Gouel, Vice President of Product Development at Southwest Airlines. “Customers told us that cruises are one of the top travel experiences that they’re looking for, and our new partnership with World Travel Holdings gives Customers access to all major cruise lines to complement their travel with Southwest. This partnership also gives our loyal Rapid Rewards^® Members new ways to earn points.”

World Travel Holdings has more than 25 years of experience creating and managing licensed private-label travel programs for some of the top travel providers including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands, and prominent corporations.

For more information about World Travel Holdings’ private-label partner program, please visit www.WorldTravelHoldings.com.

About World Travel Holdings
World Travel Holdings is the nation’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of nearly 40 diverse brands. In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises, villas, resort vacations, car rentals, resort day passes and luxury travel services, World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of private-label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers, including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands and prominent corporations. The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in employee engagement and work-at-home employment. Its global presence includes operating multiple cruise brands in the United Kingdom. World Travel Holdings has offices in Wakefield, Mass.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Chorley, England. For more information, visit WorldTravelHoldings.com.

About Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline¹⁵. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 74,000¹⁶People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in 2023. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years¹⁷ of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050¹⁸. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.

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Empowering Travel Advisors to Drive Sales: 2024 Land Summit Fuels Success in Land-Based Travel

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchises deepen their expertise in land vacations during an immersive five-day stay in Puerto Vallarta

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 26, 2024) – Dream Vacations/CruiseOne proudly announces the successful conclusion of the 2024 Land Summit, held at Secrets & Dreams Bahia Mita in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 2024 continues to be a strong year in bookings for land vacations for the network with roughly a 15% growth. This year’s summit provided franchise owners and travel advisors with vital resources and insights to capitalize on the trend for land-based travel experiences.

“What truly makes this summit special is the way we come together to share ideas and build strategies that focus specifically on land vacations. From all-inclusive resorts to villa stays, offer incredible opportunities for our advisors to create unforgettable experiences for their clients,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations and CruiseOne.

More travelers are seeking diverse and immersive experiences, and Dream Vacations/CruiseOne is committed to equipping its advisors with the tools and knowledge necessary to meet this demand. The 2024 Land Summit’s agenda was designed with this focus in mind, offering comprehensive resources that empower advisors to enhance their land travel offerings.

Supplier Presentations and Panels: Attendees gained valuable insights from leading suppliers and industry experts, covering the latest trends and opportunities in land travel.
Trade Show and One-on-One Meetings: Advisors had the chance to engage in in-depth discussions with suppliers, fostering strong partnerships and uncovering new business opportunities.
Video Content Creation: Recognizing the importance of digital marketing, the summit included dedicated sessions highlighting a range of marketing programs specifically designed to promote land-based vacations. A professional videographer captured a collection of videos during the event that will be added to each advisor’s website, featuring property tours and more, to boost their online presence and engage potential clients.
Site Inspections: In-depth site inspections at premier properties such as Marival Armony, Riu Palace, Fiesta Americana, Iberostar Mita, Grand Velas, and Secrets/Dreams Vallarta Bay provided firsthand knowledge of the latest accommodations and amenities, enabling advisors to offer informed recommendations to their clients.

The summit also provided advisors with a suite of tailored resources designed to help them thrive in this expanding market. These included marketing materials, video assets, and direct access to supplier expertise, all aimed at enhancing their ability to create and sell exceptional land-based travel experiences.

“Our goal is for every advisor to leave this summit feeling empowered with the tools and resources they need to sell land vacations confidently. From hands-on training to exclusive supplier insights, we’ve equipped our advisors with everything they need to elevate their business,” said Charity Santiago, vice president of training and events for Dream Vacations and CruiseOne.

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