Expedia CruiseShipCenters Targets Six Cities for Expansion

Expedia CruiseShipCenters, one of the biggest cruise sellers in North America, has announced development plans to expand into six strategically targeted cities across the United States.

"We are already the dominant travel franchise in Canada, and we are actively growing our foothold in the United States. By the year 2020, we expect to more than double our distribution network, with more than half of our growth to come from the United States." The leading travel company is seeking franchise partners in the metropolitan and surrounding areas of New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Seattle. Within easy driving distance of cruise departure ports, these cities have demographics that provide the ideal foundation for a new travel franchise.

"We've been growing consistently since 1987, and we have the backing and support of one of the world's biggest travel brands," said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. "We are already the dominant travel franchise in Canada, and we are actively growing our foothold in the United States. By the year 2020, we expect to more than double our distribution network, with more than half of our growth to come from the United States." Expedia CruiseShipCenters' franchise network is rapidly expanding, with over 200 retail locations already open or under development. The growth of Expedia CruiseShipCenters is driven by three overarching realities: the brand's proven business model is affordable to start and extremely scalable, its focus on cruise vacations makes the company a trusted resource among cruise customers who overwhelmingly prefer to book with a travel agent, and the cruise industry is growing quickly.

Cruises are becoming increasingly popular because they offer comfort and convenience while making it easy for people to visit several exotic locations on a single trip. According to Cruise Lines International Association, an organization that conducts continual analysis of the industry, cruisers spent $20 billion on their vacations in 2013. The association also points out that the U.S. economic impact of the cruise industry is even larger - at $42 billion annually. Cruise lines have responded to that growth by commissioning the construction of more than 65 new ships that are on pace to set sail over the next five years.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters has enjoyed average sales growth well above the industry average for the past two decades. While many similar franchises are home-based, Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchises operate from a retail office space where travel agents can share knowledge, meet with clients, and maximize sales - all while indulging their passion for travel. The retail location adds credibility, as Expedia CruiseShipCenters are strategically placed in the heart of a community.

Chris Meyer, an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise owner in Orange County, California, left a decades-long career in the newspaper business and started his travel business.

"I had not been planning to become an entrepreneur, but after I explored the Expedia CruiseShipCenters business model, I knew there was strong potential for growth," the former deputy editor of The Orange County Register said. "The idea of a big digital company also doing brick-and-mortar locations to appeal to every segment of the market was attractive to me. I thought it was very forward-looking." The company has been providing business opportunities for driven team leaders like Meyer who want to build income, wealth and equity in a retail business they are passionate about. To learn more, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters Named a fast-growing franchise by MSN Money, Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of 200 retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia, Inc. family of brands, the company's 4,200 Vacation Consultants sell a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for more than 28 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Contacts Fishman Public Relations Kelly McNamara, 847-945-1300 [email protected]

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