Thuy Phan

If you're looking for chance to enjoy a religious and cultural experience, Israel is one of the top choices. Join CP Travel Ambassador Clay Platt as he takes us to Jerusalem and beyond.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Jun. 30, 2023— On the heels of an incredibly productive and strong first half of the year, Cruise Planners has been rated #20 on Travel Weekly’s prestigious 2023 Power List, again solidifying their powerhouse status in the travel industry. Cruise Planners is the nation’s largest home-based travel advisor franchise network with over 2500 advisors. Cruise Planners was also recently awarded with the “Most Innovative Use of Technology: Products” award for their patent pending LivePlanner™ tool at the 2023 Franchise Innovation Awards.

Now that you’ve gotten a handle on how to get your foot in the door as a luxury travel advisor, these are the next steps. Leveraging Technology and Tools Utilizing travel management software and CRM systems Harnessing social media platforms for marketing and networking Staying updated with travel industry apps and tools Utilizing travel management software and CRM systems is a crucial step in becoming a travel advisor. These technological tools offer a streamlined approach to managing and organizing travel arrangements and client information. Cruise Planners has CP Maxx, which has a built in CRM to manage clients. It enables advisors to maintain a comprehensive database of client preferences, travel history, and contact information. One of the mobile apps that can significantly enhance the travel experience for both advisors and clients is CP Maxx Mobile. This app is a powerful, on-the-go tool that includes features such as travel agendas organizers and local attraction guides. It is a must-have for anyone in the travel industry. Marketing and Promoting Your Luxury Travel Advisor Business Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy Utilize online and offline marketing channels Showcase testimonials and client success stories Collaborate with influencers and luxury travel bloggers Harnessing social media platforms for marketing and networking is another key aspect of becoming a successful travel advisor. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn offer an extensive reach and allow advisors to showcase their expertise, share travel tips, and promote their services to a wide audience. For those who are not tech savvy or have time to post, Cruise Planners offers an award-winning program, CPsocial, that posts on agents behalf several times a week. It helps keep advisors active and top of mind for clients with professional, curated posts. Social media provides a valuable networking opportunity, allowing advisors to connect with other professionals, collaborate on projects, and gain insights into the latest travel trends and destinations. Build Relationships with Supplier Partners Identify and collaborate with preferred suppliers Negotiate partnerships and exclusive offers for clients Build strong rapport and communication channels Building strong rapport and communication channels with luxury travel suppliers is essential for successful collaboration. Because Cruise Planners has over 2500+ advisors in their network, supplier partners work hand in hand with our advisors to help facilitate every aspect of making the sale to their respective clients. By having this strong relationship, it allows our advisors to have open lines of communication, and encourages them to have regular meetings or calls to discuss client feedback, preferences, and upcoming travel plans. Building strong communication channels also allows advisors to address any concerns or issues promptly, expediting leading to effective problem-solving and maintaining a positive working relationship with luxury travel suppliers. Exceptional Customer Service Understand and anticipate client preferences and needs Offer personalized travel experiences and customized itineraries Manage client expectations and delivering on promises Handle unforeseen circumstances and provide solutions Providing exceptional customer service is paramount for travel advisors in delivering an outstanding travel experience. By actively listening and gathering information about their clients' interests, preferences, and travel goals, advisors can curate tailored experiences that align with their clients' expectations. This proactive approach allows advisors to anticipate their clients' needs and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations. Michael Consoli, Cruise Planners’ #1 agent, credits his success to exceptional customer service and being available to his clients for all their needs. He even conducts an invite-only trip several times a year to get to know his clients better so he can get a better handle on their travel needs. Managing client expectations and delivering on promises is essential for maintaining trust and satisfaction. Clear and transparent communication regarding what clients can expect during their trip, including details about hotels, transportation, and activities, ensures that there are no surprises along the way. Creating a business centered around luxury clients takes time but once you are able to move your business to servicing this clientele, the rewards could be great.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Jun. 23, 2023— Cruise Planners continues to pave the way in the field of technology and was recognized at the 5th annual Franchise Innovation Awards in Atlanta, GA during the Franchise Customer Experience Conference. The company took home the coveted “Most Innovative Use of Technology: Products” award for their patent pending LivePlanner™ tool that they unveiled in November 2022 at their annual convention. The goal of the awards is to identify and recognize the franchisors creating and implementing the most original and successful innovative strategies and tactics to build their brand. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized for the undisputed talent of our technology team,” said Michelle Fee, CEO & founder of Cruise Planners. “LivePlanner™ is a gamechanger and will help our advisors deliver the best experience they can for their clients and we’ve only seen the beginning.” An independent jury of judges evaluated the innovation and objective of each of the more than 150 entrants, and we’re proud to say that we were one of the 22 recognized. Franchise innovators, game-changers, and disruptors competed in four categories: Marketing & Branding, Products & Services, Operations, and Human Resources. Twenty-two winners were chosen from among the four categories. Each winner will be profiled in Franchise Update magazine. Cruise Planners’ LivePlanner™ is the first interactive vacation planning tool of its kind within the travel industry. Hosted within Cruise Planners’ proprietary business management software, CP Maxx, LivePlanner™ gives franchises the opportunity to complete a live walkthrough of vacation options with their clients. These options include cruise itineraries with all major cruise lines, all-inclusive resorts, custom vacation packages, and more. With Cruise Planners advanced technology, there will be even more travel options available to advisors as the program evolves. Cruise Planners agents have had thousands of sessions since launching in 2022 Average sale is 26% higher than a traditional sale without the use of LivePlanner™ The average close rate is above 45% “I’m immensely proud of our team for consistently creating tools and applications that make a tangible difference for our advisors,” said Brian Shultz, CIO. “We always want to be one step ahead of their needs and continuously innovate to have more great things coming down the pike for them, so stay tuned.”

When it comes to picking a niche for travel advisors, luxury is one area many hope to break into. Luxury travel advisors are seasoned professionals with a wealth of knowledge and expertise and are highly sought after. They possess an extensive network of connections that grant them access to exclusive opportunities, hidden gems, and insider information. With their finger on the pulse of the industry, they stay up to date with the latest trends and destinations, ensuring that their clients receive only the finest recommendations.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Jun. 14, 2023- Cruise Planners’ Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf was honored with the “Excellence in Leadership Award” at the 2023 TravelAge West WAVE Awards held at the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Ray, CA. Franchise owners Tawnee Sons & Julie Irovando and Claire Maguire were also recognized in their respective categories of “Best Group Booking Effort” and “Best Client Targeted Marketing Idea”. Koepf, a CLIA Hall of Famer also known affectionately as “The Singing Salesman”, accepted his award and thanked Cruise Planners and the organizers for the accolade and recognition.