CRUISEONE, a Fort Lauderdale-based
franchise organization with 450 locations -- many of them
home-based -- launched a two-pronged diversification program aimed
at expanding its Hispanic franchisee locations and increasing its
Hispanic customer base. Seeking to tap into what it calls a growing
market of Hispanic cruisers in North America, the Cruceros
Fantasticos promotion features Spanish-language advertising,
brochures and a Web site. It also includes a telephone system that
will route certain calls to Spanish-speaking franchisees from
potential clients who may prefer the option of dealing with a
cruise specialist who speaks fluent Spanish.
FRANCHISEES are not required to have
previous travel industry experience, CruiseOne said, because
complete training is provided at the corporate headquarters.
CruiseOnes franchise fee is $9,800, and new franchisees who join
the Cruceros Fantasticos program are eligible for a $750 marketing
credit if they open their business by Dec. 31. Franchise details
are available by calling (800) 892-3928. The firms Web site is at
www.cruiseonefranchise.com.
JOYSTAR, the travel firm that says it
empowers people from all walks of life to become home-based travel
agents, will begin a seminar tour with CEO William Alverson
showcasing Joystars Agent Advantage Pro hosting services. Seminars
run from 5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Sept.
27, JW Marriott Lenox, Atlanta; Sept. 28, Sheraton Park Central,
Dallas; Sept. 29 Hilton Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, Calif.; Sept. 30,
Luxe Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles; Oct. 4, European Crystal
Conference Center, Chicago; Oct. 5, Hyatt Regency Bethesda,
Bethesda, Md.; Oct. 6, Long Island Marriott, Uniondale, N.Y.; and
Oct. 7, Wyndham Newark Airport, Elizabeth, N.J.
ALVERSON also will speak at OSSNs
Home-based Travel Agent Show & Conference, slated for Oct. 29
to 30 in Long Beach, Calif. (see Datebook below). Joystar handles
all fulfillment and customer service for its agent members, said
Alverson. The company offers two membership levels at its Web site,
www.iamatravelagent.com.
DATEBOOK: The first annual Home Based Agent
Trade Show is being held Oct. 29 at the Long Beach (Calif.)
Convention Center. The show is running alongside a second show,
Honeymoon & Romantic Getaways. The agent show is sponsored by
OSSN. Admission to seminars and the trade show costs $79. Details
are on line at www.ossn.com.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Arizona
Date valid: Nov. 5 for a three-night stay.
Sponsor: Tower Travel, Sunrise, Fla.
Cost: $299 per person, double. Includes
accommodations, some meals and a city tour.
Trip: Spends four days in Scottsdale.
Noteworthy: Companions are eligible at the same
rate.
Contact: (954) 748-3037; fax: (954) 748-3079;
e-mail: [email protected].