Starting a Travel Business

With the freedom to work from the comfort of your own home, the role of a travel advisor can be incredibly rewarding, especially for those in the Cruise Planners franchise organization. Cruise Planners was a pioneer in home-based travel franchises, so when it comes to tips to maximize working from home for the travel advisor, Cruise Planners knows a thing or two that could help. Here, we’ll share some tried and true tips that has helped our advisors stay at the top of their game.

Rick Carlson is a 20+ year veteran franchise owner, top producer, and guest columnist for Travel Market Report for their “Ask an Advisor” series. He frequently attends STARU and Cruise Planners conventions as a panelist and shares his sage advice on how to find clients...

There comes a point in everyone’s life when they consider if the work they’re doing has meaning and checks off all the boxes that make it feel fulfilling and full of purpose. The good news is there are many options to consider in alternate careers, such as the travel industry, that are both fulfilling and allow you the chance to be your own boss and travel the world. But before you do, these are a few things to consider. Take it from David Rodrigues, who left the corporate world to try his hand at being a travel franchise owner with Cruise Planners and made the leap front and center.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – March 27, 2023 – Military veterans and their families are the lifeblood of America and their sacrifice to serve our country is commendable. After they leave military life, there is so much more out there for them than just retirement. For many, a second career is exactly the right way to transfer the incredible skills they learned while in the military. Cruise Planners has a robust community of veterans and has been ranked by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Veterans. And for good reason—Cruise Planners offers the flexibility for veterans to create a life that works for them. Isaiah Banks, a Navy veteran says being a franchise owner has been a great way for him to segue his skills into an encore career. “As a former naval officer, it taught me how to prepare, plan, adapt, and overcome challenges and obstacles,” said Isaiah Banks, a veteran and franchise owner. “After I retired, I wanted a profession where I was in complete control of my destiny and a career as a travel advisor at Cruise Planners has been the perfect fit.” Similar to military life, once a new travel advisor has undergone extensive training, Cruise Planners’ technology, training, marketing and support helps them succeed. Cruise Planners’ best-in-class technology, industry experience and Home Office team experience and support have helped the organization become the leader in the industry. Being a business owner is also appealing to veterans because of the flexibility and freedom it provides. They can set their own hours and make decisions that will directly impact their success. Being their own bosses is also a great way for veterans to continue to serve their communities by creating jobs and providing services. “We are proud of the myriad of awards that we have won that highlight our commitment to veteran entrepreneurs,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “From day one, you'll benefit from having access to cutting-edge technology, award-winning creative marketing campaigns, as well as professional coaching and advisor development throughout your ownership journey.”

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – March 17, 2023 – Innovation is the root of technology and how it makes our lives easier. When it comes to travel, there are countless new ways that companies are making the experiences more seamless, more enjoyable, and less stressful. “What propels Cruise Planners forward as a trailblazer in the travel industry is our award-winning technology,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “We invest heavily into developing proprietary technology tools that are the driving force for our marketing programs and tools that help our advisors elevate their business.” With 2023 proclaimed as being the “Year of Travel,” here are some travel technology trends we are keeping our eyes on. Here are the top 4 tech trends for travel advisors to pay attention to in 2023: 🔮 Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Solutions: AI-powered technologies like chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular in the travel industry. These solutions are being used to help customers make travel decisions, book flights, and more. While AI will allow customers and advisors to work together to narrow down destination options, it will never replace the “human touch” of an advisor offering personal recommendations for tours, restaurants, hotels, and more. ⚡ LivePlanner: With the rise of online meeting/webinar services, consumers are more comfortable with online presentations from the comfort of their homes. LivePlanner is a new, patent-pending, interactive travel planning and presenting tool from Cruise Planners that allows travel advisors to share information about cruise lines, tour companies, all-inclusive resorts, and activities with images, videos, itineraries, and more to educate and make recommendations that will help plan the perfect vacation for their clients. 👩‍💻 Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR technologies are being used to create immersive experiences for travelers. It can be used to simulate a variety of travel experiences, from exploring a breathtaking tropical beach to taking a close-up look at a famous architectural landmark. VR technology is also used to create immersive experiences for travelers, from virtual tours of cities to interactive activities such as zip-lining through a forest or scuba diving in an exotic location. VR can also be used to create an immersive educational experience for travelers, allowing them to learn about the history, culture, and natural wonders of a destination. This technology can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the travel experience and provide travelers with an unforgettable journey. 📱 Mobile Applications for Travel Advisors: Mobile applications are becoming increasingly popular in the travel industry. From booking flights to checking in at airports, customers are using mobile applications to make their travel experience more efficient and convenient. Cruise Planners' award-winning Cruise Planners app allows clients to keep all their travel updates and reminders in one space. With CP Maxx mobile, clients can book activities, integrate with Yelp for recommendations while traveling, and keep important documents and schedules in one place. “We never rest on our laurels when it comes to technology,” said Brian Shultz, CIO of Cruise Planners. “We are constantly evolving and taking into consideration the needs of our advisors and how we can make them more efficient—it’s what drives our innovation.” With all these innovations geared toward helping travelers plan and book vacations with ease, Cruise Planners will continue to harness emerging technologies to help their network of expert advisors be successful.

Retirement is an exciting time that marks the beginning of a new phase in life. After years of hard work, you can finally take a well-deserved break and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Why not travel?