Expedia Cruises: Navigating Success in the Travel Franchise Industry

Established in 1987 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Expedia Cruises has grown into a leading full-service leisure travel agency franchise specializing in air, land, and sea vacations.

As a subsidiary of Expedia Group, the company has expanded its footprint across North America, boasting over 260 franchise locations and a strong reputation for delivering personalized travel experiences.

Expedia Cruises began franchising the same year it was founded, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate retail travel agencies deeply rooted in their local communities while benefiting from the strength of the globally recognized Expedia brand.

Franchisees provide a full range of travel products and services, including cruises, all-inclusive vacations, flights, hotels, guided tours, car rentals, and travel insurance.

What sets Expedia Cruises apart is its unique omnichannel model, which allows customers to interact and book through various platforms—whether in-store, online, or over the phone.

Training

Expedia Cruises provides comprehensive training programs for its franchisees to ensure they are well-equipped to operate their travel business effectively. The training programs offered by the franchisor include the following:

1. Consultant Certification (Online Training): This is the initial stage and includes one week of e-learning through the International Cruise Academy. It covers course modules, webinars, and exercises related to sales, customer service, and operations. There is no additional cost for this e-learning curriculum.
2. New Franchisee Training: After completing the Consultant Certification, trainees move to this phase, which involves a mix of e-learning and weekly one-on-one coaching sessions. It focuses on helping new franchisees launch and manage their business operations, including team recruitment and sales initiation.
3. Leadership Programs: Franchisees must complete two core programs:
   • Navigator’s Approach to Selling: Focuses on sales techniques.
   • Coaching for Performance: Aims at enhancing leadership and team management skills.Both combine e-learning with instructor-led training sessions.
4. In-Person Training: Delivered either at designated training facilities or via live videoconferencing. This training is limited to franchisees, their spouses, and center managers.

Territory Protection

Expedia Cruises grants franchisees a defined “Market Area” where they have exclusive rights to operate a Travel Business. However, this exclusivity does not prevent Expedia Cruises, its affiliates, or approved suppliers from selling travel services to customers within that area.

Franchisees receive no compensation for sales made by these other channels in their Market Area. The franchisor may also modify the boundaries of the Market Area during renewals or transfers based on performance or market data.