Smooth sailing for cruise franchises

Posted on November 05, 2010 by Stacey Fousse

Cruise franchises are one of the fastest growing trends in the United States today. Travelers from coast-to-coast have jumped on board, enjoying the all-inclusive vacation packages and opportunity to travel to different destinations around the world. According to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise industry generated $35.1 billion in gross output in 2009, while the travel industry as a whole provided 313,998 jobs.

Mark Schiffner, vice president of a cruise franchise, said in a statement that there are a lot of franchising opportunities within the industry and that entrepreneurs would be wise to take advantage of them.

"[Our franchise has] designed an award-winning training program, which begins with an online training program to help you to get started immediately," said Schiffner. "Further support and training is provided through online lessons, live chats, regular meetings, annual networking conventions where franchisees can network with their colleagues and mid-year meetings

Cruise franchises have been making headlines recently after linking up with well-known credit card companies. Cruise Planners was recently appointed American Express Traveler's Representative Travel Agency of the Year for 2010 for its annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona.