Expedia is looking
FOR PARTNERS
Set sail with the most
recognized brand in travel
Retail Travel Agency Franchise Opportunities
Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Join the fastest growing franchise network in the travel industry’s fastest growing market.
Imagine pursuing your greatest passion,
working with the most recognized name in
travel and actually owning the business!
Your Expedia® franchise would add to over 190
locations already in North America, supported
by a force of 4,000 Vacation Consultants
4
.21
MILLION
The average mature Expedia
CruiseShipCenters franchise generates
over $4.21 million in sales each year.*
who have made us the cruise agency of choice for a million plus travelers.
In addition to working within the fastest growing segment of travel, you’d
be partnering with a company that has achieved a remarkable annual growth
of 20% since 1987. And you’d be joining a group of like-minded, devoted
travelers who are enjoying great success, with the average mature
Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise bringing in $4.21 Million in sales per year.
Have you imagined earning an income doing
something you love and building equity in your
own business over time? Well now you can.
20%
AVERAGE
We are Expedia CruiseShipCenters.
We are navigators of spectacular vacation
experiences. And we’d like you to consider
the prospect of joining us in this adventure.
This brochure and the franchise sales information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise.
It is for informational purposes only. The offer of an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise is by prospectus only. Currently, certain states and provinces
regulate the offer and sale of franchises. If you are a resident of or seek to operate a franchise in one of these state or provinces, we will not offer you
a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in the corresponding jurisdiction.
GROWTH
Expedia CruiseShipCenters has had 27
years of continued growth, averaging
20% each year - 3x the industry average.
*Sales based on stores open for more than 3 years.
Sales includes all bookings (active + cancelled), taxes & NCCF’s.
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
3
The Cruise Industry Phenomenon
Growing Demand for Travel Agents
Sales of cruise vacations have increased by 8.4% annually since 1980, a rate that
Expedia® recognizes that the Internet is ideal for organizing and booking
doubles the growth of the tourism industry as a whole. And satisfaction levels
simpler travel arrangements but when it comes to complex travel, vacationers
are unprecedented with 9 out of 10 cruisers saying they will cruise again.
are still seeking the knowledge and support of trusted travel experts.
It continues to grow exponentially and we continue to grow with it.
BOOMING
INDUSTRY
Cruise lines are investing
billions in new ships.
Spectacular experiences need spectacular navigators.
1980s
Travel agents booked two-thirds of cruise vacations taken in 2012 and one-third of the
1990s
$284 Billion US travel industry was generated through the doors of retail travel agencies.
40 NEW SHIPS
80 NEW SHIPS
2000-2013
That’s why Expedia is actively building a network of franchises right
167 NEW SHIPS
across North America and recruiting passionate navigators to chart the
course for travelers looking for a spectacular vacation experience.
With new ships continuously entering the market to meet increasing
demand, cruise capacity continues to grow each year. In fact, 20 more
When you match Expedia, the biggest and most renowned Internet travel
of these spectacular floating resorts will arrive by 2018.
machine, with a real retail presence and add local owners who can create loyal
Baby Boomers are traveling the world like never before with the security, luxury and
relationships with clients who will book with you again and again - you’ve got
convenience of cruise travel suiting them perfectly. Meanwhile, the burgeoning family
a strategy destined for success. Plus, you’ll simultaneously be supporting your
travel sector promises to sustain that
desire to earn an income and enjoy travel while building equity for the future.
industry growth far into the future.
*Source: Cruise Lines International Association
So the vacation demand is there. And
the cruise lines are supplying the ships.
All that’s needed is somebody to sell the
dream! That’s where your opportunity lies.
*Source: Cruise Lines International Association
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Fra n ch ise O ppor tu nitie s
24%
50
MILLION
50 million Americans
say they want to take
a cruise in the next 3
years. Only 24% of
Americans have cruised
to date.*
70%
70% of cruisers choose to
book with a travel agent.*
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
5
Powered by Expedia
Your Success is Our Success
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchisees enjoy the best of two worlds.
If you commit to an Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise, you can count
You have the entrepreneurial freedom of independent ownership but you also have
on a corporate support team who number more than 100 strong.
The most recognized travel brand in the world.
We are as invested in your business as you are.
the backing of one of the world’s biggest and most successful travel names.
An expert and dedicated start-up team will work at your side to build out your store and
That means you can profit
from
Expedia®
get your business up and running. Training staff and Field Support Reps will maintain
products
that momentum with regular
too, earning commission
field visits to make sure you have
while booking hotels,
the skills and tools to succeed.
tours, car rentals and packaged
vacations. It also means you
Our Partner Support desk is also
can leverage $50 billion in
at your beck and call to provide
buying power and the trusted
immediate assistance when you
recognition of Expedia’s
need it. You will be encouraged
global brand.
to continually upgrade your
sales potential with online,
Think of your Expedia
in-person and at-sea training
CruiseShipCenters
alongside other franchisees.
100+
100+ Corporate Support Team to
help you with all aspects of your
business: Recruiting, Sales, Marketing,
Training, Accounting, Business
Planning and more!
franchise as a startup with
unparalleled backup.
GLOBAL
BRAND
Expedia Inc. has a
presence in 70+ countries.
6
Fra n ch ise O ppor tu nitie s
It’s simple. The better you do,
the better the entire Expedia
CruiseShipCenters family
does. So we’re there for you.
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
7
Profit From a Proven Model
Innovative marketing fueled by unrivaled technology.
Stronger.Together
®
Discover a culture of mutual support and passion.
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® has built a marketing machine that generates
We call Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Franchisees our
leads, rewards loyalty and creates Customers For Life. And all of that web,
partners for a reason. It’s because we’re in this together.
email and print marketing is entirely personalized to your franchise so the
marketing effort is shared exclusively between you and your clientele.
This proprietary technology we call
CruiseDesk®
has been perfected over nearly
30 years and is the one of the most cutting-edge platforms in the industry. It
90%
Our Franchise Partners all share an aptitude for leadership,
fostering customer relationships, selling travel and
building equity as a result. They come from all walks of
life, from big cities and small communities. And their
so you can even manage your franchise remotely when you’re on your own cruise.
90% of franchisees
strongly agree that they
enjoy being part of the Expedia
CruiseShipCenters organization.*
Customized consumer marketing and customer management, pioneering technology
But there’s one thing they all share.
and a massive database back-end getting CruiseDesk access for yourself
It’s a strong passion for travel.
oversees every aspect of Customer Relationship Management from sales and
marketing to team management and the back office. Plus it’s entirely web-based
reasons for starting a franchise range from seeking a
change of career to wanting to earn income on their
own terms and on a schedule they can dictate.
and your entire team is reason enough to join our team.
CRUISE
Sales
Recruitment
Reporting
Marketing
Back Office
CruiseDesk
Coaching
8
®
Fra n ch ise O ppor tu nitie s
DESK
Our World Class technology,
CruiseDesk, helps you
manage all aspects of your
business including Sales,
Coaching, Marketing,
Back Office, Reporting,
Recruitment and more.
We see it at every professional development
and networking event we host for our
Travel ranks #1
in the Most Satisfied
Franchise Sectors.*
Franchise Partners. These occasions
might be a gathering of individual entrepreneurs, but the camaraderie is heartening
and the desire for mutual success is inspired. The way they openly share best practices
and celebrate the growth of our brand shows we really are Stronger.Together.
From corporate headquarters through to each and every franchise, it truly is a
partnership founded on a love of navigating spectacular vacation experiences.
*Source: Franchise Business Review
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
9
Chart Your Own Course
Ready, Set, Sail.
An Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise can be all you
Investing in Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® should be the best business decision you ever make.
want it to be because it is entirely scalable.
That’s why we take the steps necessary to ensure that awarding the franchise and entering that
Build your own crew of navigators.
Your steps to becoming an Expedia Franchise Partner.
partnership together will be mutually rewarding. Our franchise discovery process has three phases.
Our Vacation Consultants are independent contractors who are paid on
commission. That means wages are not a fixed cost you need to worry about.
EXPLORATION PHASE
You’ll support many Vacation Consultants in the office as well as an unlimited
You’ll begin by having a high level conversation with a Franchise
number of Home-Based Consultants working remotely which cuts down on your
Advisor to discuss your business expectations. You’ll then review
overhead even further. So the growth potential of your franchise isn’t determined
our virtual brochure and attend an introductory webinar to
by square footage and overhead. It’s a business that grows with you.
get a good overview of your franchisee opportunity.
Our Vacation Consultants tend to be successful salespeople because they are
EDUCATION PHASE
selling something they love. We can help you attract more of those people and
This is your chance to dig deeper into the prospect of franchise ownership.
teach them to be even more effective. Our exclusive sales leadership programs will
You will attend two webinar sessions that will showcase our systems
train you to coach your sales team in the ways of the Navigators Approach –
and support. You will be able to pose questions to our senior leadership
a sales tool that has proven to attract, support and retain Customers for Life.
team. If at this point you are serious about committing to a franchise,
With the right sales team and
the leadership training we’ll
SCALABLE
provide, the growth of your
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®
franchise is entirely up to you. It all
depends on how great your ambition
is to earn income now and build wealth
in the long term.
you will then be asked to proceed with a qualification application.
VALIDATION PHASE
After reviewing our Franchise disclosure document, you will have
Each franchise
can support a vast
number of independent Vacation
Consultants
a number of one-on-one phone calls with our President and other
Franchise Partners. You’ll then be invited to the Expedia CruiseShipCenters
corporate office in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia to attend your
Discovery Day. There you’ll meet members of the Senior Leadership
Team and prepare to set sail on the business adventure of a lifetime.
10
Fra n ch ise O ppor tu nitie s
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
11
After a 35-year career with Safeway, Brian was
ready to retire but not ready to quit working. He’d
taken 30 cruises in his lifetime and after attending
a Discovery Day at the Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®
head office, decided that a cruise franchise was
the perfect way to turn his passion for travel into
a second career as a business owner. Brian’s brother James joined the venture after he
was offered an early retirement plan from Chevron. Brian and James combine their love
for wine and love for travel by hosting unique culinary and wine cruises, appealing to
customers in the Sonoma Valley, and beyond. Their sales have consistently increased
since their opening as they continue to build wealth and equity in their business.
Meet Some of Our Franchise Partners
Franchise Owners: Brian Murphy & James Murphy
Located: Petaluma, California
Success Stories
After a 30-year career in the newspaper industry, Chris decided it
was time for a change. After seeing an
Expedia®
A pioneer of the Expedia CruiseShipCenters
CruiseShipCenters®
brand, Sean Flynn, started working at his father’s
franchise ad on LinkedIn, Chris inquired about our retail
Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise in Montreal
franchise opportunity, spent a few months gathering the facts,
while he was a student in college in 1988. He
and the rest was history. With a true passion for travel and a
began with developing marketing plans but soon
knack for adding creativity to the local execution of the Expedia
took over all aspects of business management.
CruiseShipCenters system, Chris opened his franchise next to the Trader Joe’s in
In 1996, his younger sister Kelly joined the family business when she spearheaded the
his neighborhood and was setting sales records in his first year of business.
opening of the family’s 2nd franchise location
Franchise Owner: Chris Meyer
in Beaconsfield. Sean and Kelly have benefited
Located: Laguna Hills, California
from a balanced partnership and year after
year, their sales have continued to grow.
With the heart of the cruise industry located
They are constantly seeking opportunities to
in their back yard, Mary Beth and her husband
expand their business with 4 locations already
David couldn’t pass up the opportunity to own
open and several more on the horizon.
the first Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise
Franchise Owners: Sean & Kelly Flynn
in the United States. After a successful career
Located: Montreal, Quebec
as a New York advertising executive, Mary Beth
came out of retirement to put her leadership skills back to work in a new business.
Now, the husband and wife team supports 110 home-based and retail-based Vacation
Consultants from their franchise brick-and-mortar location in Weston, FL. Business is
booming, and in 2012, they experienced a 30% growth in sales over the previous year.
Franchise Owners: Mary Beth & David Casey
Located: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
12
Fra n ch ise O ppor tu nitie s
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
13
Q. How do I find the best location for my store?
A. We work with a third-party real estate selection company to
provide demographic research and identify shopping patterns to find the
optimal location for your Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® store. Once you find it,
they will guide you through the selection and lease negotiation process.
Q. Why is it important for a travel agency to have a retail presence?
A. A retail outlet is synonymous with credibility and provides many benefits that
cannot be matched by home-based franchise models. With a retail store, you’ll create
buzz and excitement with a physical presence that connects your brand to the
travelers in your community. You’ll drive walk-in traffic and provide the most options
for customers to book with you, whether they prefer to buy on your website, over the
FAQ
phone or in person. This “bricks and clicks” strategy is the foundation of our success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your store will also serve as a central hub for consumer events and team
activities. Providing a common gathering place for your sales team builds
synergy among them and facilitates a fun, motivating work environment.
Q. What is the typical start-up time frame to get started?
A. We like to allow 3 to 5 months from the signing of the franchise agreement to the day
Q. How will I benefit from the Expedia brand?
your store opens. During this time, you’ll complete our training program, build out your
A. As part of the Expedia® Inc. family of brands, Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise
store and begin to recruit your team of Vacation Consultants. Our start-up team and your
locations can take advantage of a number of benefits including $50 billion
Franchise Performance Coach will guide you through this process every step of the way.
in buying power and the clout that comes with putting the most recognized
brand in travel on your door. In addition, you’ll be able to earn commission
Q. Why do consumers book with a travel agent?
on a wide range of vacation products including hotels, tours, car rentals and
A. Since travel is considered a highly prized purchase by most consumers – they want to
packaged vacations, while still offering them to customers at Expedia prices.
know they’re booking a trip that is right
for them, at the best possible price.
Q. What are the financial requirements?
With so much information available
A. We want to ensure our Franchise Partners are
online, travelers want advice and
financially qualified to fund their new business,
expertise from someone they trust,
complex vacations. According to
Cruise Lines International Association
net worth. We work with quality third party financial
SIMPLE
especially when it comes to booking
therefore we require our candidates to have $250,000
BOOK ONLINE
vendors who will help you find the financing option that’s
research, approximately 85% of people
will ultimately book with a travel agent
when the cost and complexity of the
vacation are deemed significant.
COMPLICATED
will do significant research online, but
AGENT
REQUIRED
right for you. Our franchise is also registered through the
Small Business Administration (SBA) which helps to expedite
loan approval through many financial institutions.
85% of travelers will research
online but will book with
an agent when the cost &
complexity are significant.*
*Source: Cruise Lines International Association
14
Fra n ch ise O ppor tu nitie s
Fra n c h i s e O p p o r t un i t i e s
15
Prime Territories are Available
Across the United States
South
Carolina
1 Franchise Location
70% of Cruisers Sourced
Puerto Rico
Booming Industry
Demand for cruise vacations is growing
Powered by Expedia
Global recognition backed by massive buying power
Track Record of Success
Continued sales growth for nearly 30 years
Jeff Warkentin
Franchise Sales Manager
1 (855) 978 3568
jeff@expediafranchise.com
Daniel Meyer
Franchise Sales Manager
1 (844) 320 6527
daniel@expediafranchise.com
www.expediafranchise.com