Milestone announcement during Dream Vacations’ 10th anniversary year as travel advisor network looks to technology, collaboration and human connection to fuel what’s next
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 6, 2026) – Dream Vacations and CruiseOne announced during its 2026 National Conference aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas that the travel agency franchise network is on track to finish the year with $1 billion in combined land and cruise sales, marking a significant milestone for its franchise owners and advisors.
The achievement carries added significance as the Dream Vacations brand celebrates its 10th anniversary, building on the foundation and industry experience the CruiseOne franchise has developed over the course of nearly 35 years.
“Reaching $1 billion in sales as a single division of World Travel Holdings is an incredible milestone, but what excites me most is what it represents,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne. “It didn’t happen by accident. It represents thousands of individual decisions, conversations, follow-ups and bookings across our network.”
The milestone provided a fitting backdrop for this year’s National Conference theme, IGNITE, challenging advisors to move beyond ideas and put what they’ve learned into action.
“You don’t need to feel ready. You need to start,” said Fiorino. “We already know what’s possible. $1 billion proved it. We have the technology, training, support and, most importantly, each other. Now it’s about deciding what you’re going to do with those opportunities.”
That call to action carried into advisor-led programming throughout the week. During the main-stage panel “Different Paths, One Purpose: The Power of Being Intentional,” Gary Smith, Trisha Smith, Brenda Torres and Mara Hagarther shared how their different approaches to building a travel business have been shaped by intentional decision-making.
“One of the great things about this network is that there isn’t just one path to success,” said Gary Smith of TravelPerks, a Dream Vacations franchise based in Eugene, Ore. “If sharing something that has worked for our business gives another franchise owner an ‘aha’ moment or an idea they can take home and make their own, that’s incredibly rewarding. We all benefit when we’re willing to share what we’ve learned and help one another move forward.”
Peer-to-peer learning continued during “I Have a Lead…Now What?”, where John Morris, Gabe Pacheco and Amy Madson shared strategies around converting prospects, building customer loyalty and generating referrals.
Dream Vacations and CruiseOne are also expanding its ecosystem approach to artificial intelligence, incorporating AI capabilities across marketing, content creation, training, trip planning and daily operations rather than confining AI to a single platform.
The strategy puts AI to practical use throughout an advisor’s business, helping franchise owners work more efficiently while keeping personal service at the center of professional travel advising.
“The advisors who thrive over the next decade won’t be the ones who compete with technology. They’ll be the ones who use technology to become even better at being human,” said Fiorino. “AI can save time, increase productivity and help us move faster, but it can’t replace trust, guidance or the relationships our advisors build with their clients. Our greatest competitive advantage remains human connection.”
Throughout the week, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne highlighted investments in marketing, technology, travel advisor training and professional development designed to help franchise owners strengthen their expertise, connect with travelers and put new ideas into practice.
Those researching how to start a travel business or exploring a travel agency franchise can visit DreamVacationsFranchise.com to learn how Dream Vacations and CruiseOne support home-based travel advisors with established training, marketing, technology, industry relationships and a collaborative community of travel professionals.
Photo Cutline: Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, addresses franchise owners and advisors during the 2026 National Conference aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. [Confirm final photo/caption onboard.] (Photo Credit: Kip Radt Photography.)
About Dream Vacations
Dream Vacations is a home-based travel agency franchise that gives its advisors everything they need to plan smooth and memorable vacations for their clients— all while delivering great value. As part of World Travel Holdings and a proud member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations has earned top honors, including franchise partner of the year from major cruise lines. The franchise is also nationally recognized for its strong commitment to supporting military veterans. For more details, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. You can also connect with Dream Vacations on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.