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Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, believes its work-from-home franchise model is a good investment.

“When you invest in a Cruise Planners franchise, you are starting your own business, with the support of travel industry experts with tried and true techniques,” said CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, Michelle Fee. “At Cruise Planners, we are constantly reinventing ourselves so our travel franchise owners are successful – and it’s working.”

Cruise Planners has been consistently ranked as the No. 1 travel franchise to own, by Entrepreneur magazine for 11 consecutive years, which should instill confidence in those thinking of starting their own service-focused business. Furthermore, within the franchising business sector, business services, such as travel agencies, will drive job creation in 2014, according to the Franchise Business Economic Outlook in 2014 by HIS Global Insight, so now is a perfect time to invest.

Currently, 86 percent of Cruise Planners agents come with little or no travel industry experience. Many of them are drawn to Cruise Planners since they can work from home, be their own boss, enjoy the benefits of travel and earn some of the highest commissions in the industry. Also, Cruise Planners’ alignment with American Express Travel provides its members a myriad of incremental benefits, offers and programs, not to mention the instant credibility of the brand, which is helpful for those who are thinking about starting their own business.

According to the U.S Department of Commerce, after seven years 91 percent of new franchises are still in business, as compared to only 20 percent of individual new start-up businesses, so the success rate is higher. There are many advantages to being a franchise owner, including leveraging the franchisors brand to build your small business network. In the end, franchising is a less risky proposition than doing it completely alone.

“I always ask people to make a list of what they want in a franchise business or host company,” Fee said. “Some things to consider include marketing support to help build your business, forward-thinking technology and tools, education and training on a regular basis, the support of a Home Office team that doesn’t compete with your sales and a corporate culture that you want to be a part of.”

The start-up costs for a Cruise Planners franchise vary, however each new venture comes complete with:

• Frequent turnkey marketing campaigns 
• Highest commissions and multiple revenue streams
• Instant credibility with the American Express Travel partnership 
• Innovative mobile technology to run your business on the go
• On-demand trainings and one-on-one coaching

For those interested in learning more about starting their own Cruise Planners franchise, please visit www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com to sign up for an interactive webinar or call 1-888-582-2150.

Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room, following us on Twitter @Cruisitude or on Facebook. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit our franchise site.