| If your entrepreneurial mind is combined with a | | | | can be a wonderfully exciting way to fulfill that |
| love of travel, you may want to consider a travel | | | | desire. Let's talk about a couple of specific |
| franchise. Cruise franchises can be particularly | | | | franchise opportunities: |
| lucrative as evidenced by these data: | | | | All About Honeymoons was recognized as one of |
| Last year, the Cruise Lines International | | | | the top new franchises for 2006 by Entrepreneur |
| Association (CLIA) reported that the North | | | | Magazine. This company has been the first to |
| American cruise industry grossed $35.7 billion, and | | | | stake its claim in the niche market of |
| global industry revenues were $20.6 billion--a 7 | | | | honeymoons and destination weddings. If you |
| percent increase over the previous year. The | | | | think that niche sounds too narrow, consider this: |
| number of cruisers also increased 7 percent from | | | | There are nearly 2.5 billion weddings held in the |
| 2005 to 2006 for a total of 12 million people who | | | | United States each year, and 96 percent of |
| took a cruise vacation. Americans accounted for | | | | newlyweds take a honeymoon trip. |
| 78 percent of that number. The total number of | | | | All About Honeymoons provides some unique |
| embarkations from U.S. ports was 9 million, | | | | benefits to couples making their wedding or travel |
| representing a 4 percent increase over the | | | | plans, which translate to unique selling points for |
| previous year. Embarkations from American ports | | | | franchisees. For instance, couples receive a |
| accounted for 75 percent of total, worldwide | | | | wedding webpage where they can post news |
| embarkations. | | | | about the upcoming event as well as a travel |
| Cruising and travel are huge industries, and their | | | | registry where friends and relatives can contribute |
| are pieces of them available for franchisees. | | | | to the honeymoon expenses. |
| Why Should I Buy a Franchise? First, let's discuss | | | | New business owners in this travel franchise begin |
| some of the benefits of franchising in general: | | | | by attending a comprehensive training program |
| When you buy into a franchise, you are gaining | | | | that covers the finer points of the wedding and |
| access to an established brand and a proven | | | | travel industries. |
| business plan with an existing consumer base. | | | | If it's cruises you want to sell through your new |
| When dealing with well-known brands, there is an | | | | business, CruiseOne was recently named the top |
| expected level of quality and consistency to which | | | | cruise franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine. You |
| consumers have become accustomed. For | | | | don't need any previous experience in the travel |
| example, no one thinks of a fast food restaurant | | | | industry to get started in this franchise, and you |
| as a place to get a really great meal, but we | | | | can choose to work full or part time from your |
| know we like the low prices. Although the food | | | | home or office. |
| itself is mediocre, it is consistently mediocre, so | | | | Cruise franchises offer tremendous growth and |
| we know what to expect each time we visit a | | | | earning potential because cruising is the fastest |
| restaurant. This is one of the major factors in the | | | | growing vacation choice in America. This could be |
| frequent repeat business enjoyed by fast food | | | | because almost everything is included in a cruise |
| brands. However, this is just one example. | | | | vacation package--lodging, food and fun. |
| Established expectations of quality and | | | | CruiseOne is in the process of a major expansion, |
| consistency contribute to success in all industries. | | | | and they are actively seeking franchisees in all 50 |
| Additionally, a franchisor offers invaluable | | | | states. CruiseOne's headquarters boasts an |
| assistance in getting your business started. For | | | | extensive support staff that is available to assist |
| example, the franchisor may aid you in the | | | | franchisees with sales, marketing and booking |
| selection of a location, or--in the case of a | | | | procedures. CruiseOne also operates a private |
| home-based business--the franchisor may provide | | | | Web Business Center that allows franchisees to |
| all the necessary equipment and teach you how | | | | access all the information they need to |
| to use it. You may receive advice on marketing, | | | | successfully run their businesses via the Internet. |
| management and personnel. Many franchisors | | | | Many people hear the word "franchise" and |
| even provide continual support in the form of | | | | automatically think of restaurants and retail |
| newsletters, toll-free access numbers and | | | | outlets, but there are so many more options for |
| seminars. You will also have access to a network | | | | today's aspiring business owners. The myriad of |
| of other franchisees to whom you can turn for | | | | choices allows entrepreneurs to find franchises for |
| guidance. | | | | which they will truly enjoy working--where their |
| Working with your franchisor's buying | | | | personal interests and expertise can be valuable |
| cooperatives, you will likely pay less for goods | | | | moneymaking tools. If your personal interests |
| than your independent competitors. | | | | include exotic vacations, consider one of the |
| All of these advantages amount to a significantly | | | | exciting franchise opportunities discussed above or |
| decreased risk of business failure. | | | | any of the other fantastic travel and cruise |
| Why Buy a Travel Franchise? If you're interested | | | | franchises now available. |
| in starting your own , travel and cruise franchises | | | | |