Cruise Franchise Targets Houston Area For Expansion

(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Feb 7, 2014

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, KMcNamara@fishmanpr.com 

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Cruise Franchise Targets Houston Area For Expansion

Expedia CruiseShipCenters to Open New Store in Bay Area This March

Houston, TX – Expedia^® CruisShipCenters^® – part of Expedia^® Inc, the largest online travel company in the world – announced plans to add 30 new retail franchises in North America over the next year.  With more than 180 stores already operating in North America, Expedia CruiseShipCenters has identified Houston, TX and surrounding areas as prime markets for new franchise development and will open its first retail location in the Bay Area this March.

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Port of Galveston was the second fast growing cruise port in the United States in 2012 and currently offers cruises with Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line embarking from Galveston to the Caribbean and Bahamas.

“With 11% of all North American cruise guests coming from Texas, it makes sense for us to focus on this state as a growth market for new Expedia franchise locations,” says Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “Our Promise is to navigate spectacular vacation experiences for cruisers – wherever they live – and we see enormous potential to reach those customers and provide that service locally in the Houston area.”

New Franchise Partner, Riyaz Momin, will open his new Expedia CruiseShipCenters location this March at 400 West Bay Area Blvd in Webster, TX. As a full-time owner/operator of the business, Momin is in process of setting up his store, and recruiting his team of Vacation Consultants who will offer personal service and expert advice on cruises and vacations to travelers in the Bay Area.

Since the franchise began in 1987, Expedia CruiseShipCenters has been providing business opportunities for outgoing leaders like Momin who want to build income, wealth and equity in a retail business. Expedia Franchises are full service travel agencies located in a strip mall or other street-level retail spaces, selling cruises, packaged vacations, tours and more. The franchise’s model focuses on providing local, personal service, in addition to Expedia prices.

The cruise industry continues to grow with 50 million North Americans interested in taking a cruise in the next three years and 20 new cruise ships planned to set sail by 2017 (CLIA). Since more than two-thirds of all cruises are booked through a travel agent, cruise lines are turning to major travel agency brands to help them fill capacity.

For travel information or to research cruise and vacation options, visit www.cruiseshipcenters.com/BayAreaHouston. For information on franchise opportunities visit www.expediafranchise.com.

ABOUT EXPEDIA CRUISESHIPCENTERS

Named a fast-growing franchise by MSN Money, Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of 180 franchise locations. As part of Expedia, Inc., the company’s 4,000 Vacation Consultants have been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for more than 25 years. For more information on joining the Expedia CruiseShipCenters team, visit www.expediafranchise.com or www.joinecsc.com/BayAreaHouston.

Expedia is either a registered trademark or trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2014 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

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