Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 10, 2024) – World Travel Holdings is proud to announce the successful repayment of the $1 million “We’re There to Help Stimulus Program,” a financial assistance initiative launched in 2021 to support Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchise owners during the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, designed to provide crucial aid to Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchise owners during a time of uncertainty, demonstrated the company’s commitment to its network. Now, three years later, every franchisee has fully repaid the financial assistance, evidence of the strength and determination of the travel industry.
“2020 and 2021 were trying times, especially for leisure travel. World Travel Holdings stepped up to the plate for our franchisees, ensuring that those in need received the support necessary to weather the storm,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations and CruiseOne. “Seeing that every franchisee who participated in the program has repaid the loan is a testament to their incredible resilience and the remarkable rebound our industry has experienced.”
The success of this program underscores not only the robust recovery of the leisure travel sector but also the deep sense of community within the Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchise network. Sharon Grant, President of the Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Advisory Council—a board comprised of network-elected and headquarters-appointed franchise owners who collaborate closely with headquarters to serve the network’s best interests—emphasized the program’s impact. While Grant did not apply for a loan herself, she understands how crucial it was for many small business owners to keep their entrepreneurial dreams alive.
“The leadership at World Travel Holdings is deeply committed to our network and consistently provides the resources and tools needed for our success. The implementation of the ‘We’re There to Help Stimulus Program’ is just one example,” said Grant. “As our industry experiences an incredible surge in demand for travel, the Dream Vacations and CruiseOne network’s dedication to providing guests with remarkable experiences is our ‘thank you’ to World Travel Holdings, which helped us not only survive but thrive.”
Those passionate about travel with an entrepreneurial spirit who would like to be part of a travel agency network that cares more about its agents and travelers, should visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com to learn about franchising with Dream Vacations and CruiseOne.
About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne
A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne® has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.