How Cruises Will Drive Even More of Travel Advisor Sales

Ever since the collapse of airline commissions a couple of decades ago, cruises have become the revenue mainstay for many travel agencies. Will this hold true in the future? Executives at World Travel Holdings, which describes itself as the largest cruise travel agency in the United States, told Skift that there is every reason to believe that demand for cruises will only get stronger in the years to come.

They pointed to the expanding number of ships and types of cruises, which are encouraging more travelers to give cruising a try. At the same time, the growing complexity of cruise choices is making guidance from travel advisors essential.

Our conversation also looked into how World Travel Holdings continues to evolve as an offline and online leisure travel powerhouse. Its portfolio includes the travel agency franchises CriuseOne and Dream Vacations, along with brands such as Cruises.com, Villas of Distinction, and Resort for a Day. With its decision earlier this year to join the Travel Leaders Network, it further strengthened its position as both a retail travel seller and an industry supplier.

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Any suggestions for the coverage you would like to see are welcome. Feel free to contact me at mbl@skift.com.

— Maria Lenhart, Travel Advisor Editor

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Skift Travel Advisor Editor Maria Lenhart [mbl@skift.com] curates the Skift Travel Advisor Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday. Have a story idea? Or a juicy news tip? Want to share a memo? Send her an email.

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