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8 Best Travel Agency Franchises [Cost, Fees]

Do you want to start a travel agency business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 8 best travel agency franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. The travel and tourism industry of which travel agencies belong to is a big and profitable industry in the United States of America. The travel and tourism industry provide jobs directly and indirectly for countless number of entrepreneurs all over the globe.

The opportunities that are available in the industry cut across service deliveries and product sales et al. Statistics has it that as far back as 2009, the total market size for travel agencies in the United States experienced a sharp decline, dropping from an estimate of $17 billion in 2008 to $14.5 billion. Cruise line booking remains one of the most profitable aspects of travel agencies.

As a matter of fact, they handle an estimate of about 77 percent of bookings in that line of business and also an estimate of about 73 percent of packaged travel tour as it relates to cruise line services. From the above statistics, it is obvious that this is a thriving industry and you can actually come into the industry by buying the franchise of a successful travel agency in the United States of America.

The fact remains that franchising gives you the best of both worlds: the freedom to be your own boss, with the back-end systems and support of a trusted brand to set you up for success. So, if you are looking towards starting a travel agency business, here are some of the best travel agency franchises to buy in the United States of America.

8 Best Travel Agency Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost

  1. Dream Vacations

Dream Vacations is one of the leading travel and tour agencies in the United States of America. Dream Vacation franchisees sell travel packages, including travel protection, shore excursions, hotels and tours to individuals, couples, families, businesses and groups.

The company was founded in 1991 and they have been franchising since 1992, about 27 years ago. Dream Vacations has her corporate head office at 1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd., #100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 and the current CEO of the company is Brad Tolkin.

Dream Vacations offers in-house financing to cover only franchise fee but they are open for negotiations. The Parent Company of Dream Vacations is World Travel Holdings and they are seeking new franchise units throughout the United States of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $3,245 – $21,850
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $495 – $9,800
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 1.5 to 3%
  • Veteran Incentives – 20% off franchise fee; training fee waived for business partner; training fee waived for first veteran/military spouse associate, reduced by 50% for additional associates; and marketing assets.
  1. Cruise Planners

Cruise Planners is an American Express Travel Services Representative, it is also a home-based travel agent network. Cruise Planners travel agents work from home selling full-service travel packages, including cruises, land-based vacations, travel insurance, car rentals and more. With over 25 years of proven success, Cruise Planners, An American Express Travel Representative, is the nation’s premiere home-based travel advisor franchise.

As a Cruise Planners franchise owner, you will run your own travel advisor business while having the support and leverage of the nation’s largest travel franchise network behind you. As they like to say, you are in business for yourself but never by yourself. The company provides you the training and on-going coaching to establish and grow your business.

Cruise Planners was founded in 1994 and they have been franchising since 1999, about 20 years ago. They have their corporate head office at 3111 N. University Dr., #800 Coral Springs, FL 33065 and the current CEO of the company is Michelle Fee.

Cruise Planners offers in-house financing to cover only franchise fee but they are open for negotiations. The company is seeking new franchise units throughout the United States of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $2,295 – $23,367
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $695 – $10,995
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 3%
  • Veteran Incentives – 28% off franchise fee, free training for co-owner/associate, $250 marketing credit, $60 design credit, 3 months free technology access, free software license, 1 year free errors & omissions insurance
  1. Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters is North America’s largest retail travel agency franchise and a leading seller of cruise travel. Build equity and enjoy a great lifestyle with their proven franchise model with more than 30 years of success. In addition to cruises, Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchisees sell vacation packages, tours, excursions, travel insurance and more. The company has been franchising since 1987 and is part of the Expedia Inc. family of brands.

The company was founded in 1987 and they have been franchising since 1987, about 32 years ago. They have their corporate head office at 1066 W. Hastings St., #900 Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1 and the current CEO of the company is Mr. Matthew Eichhorst.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll. The Parent Company of Expedia CruiseShipCenters is Expedia Group and they are seeking new franchise units in the following regions/states: Midwest, Northeast, South, Southeast, Southwest, West, and Canada.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $165,495 – $281,990
  • Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $39,000 – $39,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 9%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – $600/mo.
  • Veteran Incentives – 15% off franchise fee
  1. Travel Leaders

In 1872, Georges Nagelmackers began his company, Wagons-Lits, to install sleeping compartments in European trains. A few years later, he created the Orient Express. In 1888, Ward G. Foster founded Ask Mr. Foster, a travel agency based in St. Augustine, Florida.

Each company expanded – Wagonlit throughout Europe and Africa, Ask Mr. Foster across the United States and Europe. Carlson Companies Inc. purchased Ask Mr. Foster in 1979; the company changed its name to Carlson Travel Network in 1990.

Carlson Travel Network and Wagonlit Travel merged in 1997, forming Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Then in 2008, that company joined with Travel Leaders and Tzell Travel Group to form what is known today as the Travel Leaders franchise. The Parent Company is Travel Leaders Group and they are seeking new franchise units from all across the world.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $2,270 – $16,910
  • Ongoing Fees (Initial Franchise Fee) – $1,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – Up to $1K / mo.
  • Ad Royalty Fee – $109 to $274 / mo.
  1. Tix Travel & Ticket Agency

Tix Travel & Ticket Agency is a unique travel agency in the United States of America that also engages in the sale of concert, sports, and theater tickets. Tix Travel & Ticket Agency was founded in 1982 and they have been franchising since 1989.

If you are interested in this franchise, Tix Travel & Ticket Agency can be contacted via P.O. Box 1595 Oldsmar, FL 34677. Tix Travel & Ticket Agency is seeking new franchise units from all across the world.

Financial Requirements and Info

  • Initial Investment – $995
  • Financing Available – Yes
  • Total Units – 500
  1. Results! Travel

Results! Travel is part of the Travel Leaders Franchise Group, which also franchises Travel Leaders. Existing travel agencies can become franchisees of Results! and gain access to the company’s resources, suppliers, training and technology while maintaining their own business name.

The company was founded in 2000 and they have been franchising since 2000, about 19 years ago. Results! Travel has her corporate head office at 3033 Campus Dr., #W320 Plymouth, MN 55344 and the current CEO of the company is Mr. Barry Liben. The Parent Company of Results! Travel is Travel Leaders Group and they are seeking new franchise units throughout the United States of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $25 – $10,400
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $1,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – to $300 / year.
  1. CruiseOne Dream Vacations

Dream Vacations is the largest franchiser of independent cruise agents in North America. Take your passion for travel to the next level. With a Dream Vacations home-based travel agency franchise, you can help people achieve the getaway or their dreams while owning your own business. Enjoy the flexibility that comes with working anywhere in the world, at any time. Join the most awarded travel franchise today.

Financial Requirements and Info

  • Cash Investment – $3,500
  • Investment Range – $495 – $9,800
  • Franchise Fees – $495
  • Franchise Units – 1200
  1. The American Express Company

The American Express Company, also known as Amex, is an American multinational travel cum financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Centers in New York City. The company was founded in 1850 and is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best known for its charge card, credit card, and traveler’s cheque businesses.

In 2017, Forbes named American Express the 23rd most valuable brand in the world (and the highest within financial services), estimating the brand to be worth US$24.5 billion. In 2018, Fortune ranked American Express as the 14th most admired company worldwide, and the 23rd best company to work for.

Financial Requirements and Info

  • Initial Fee – $3,500
  • Annual Fee – $13,100 to $45,500
  • Real Estate and Improvements – $0 to $5,000
  • Total – $16,600 to $54,000