Dream Vacations and CruiseOne travel advisors are reveling in the surge of land and resort Vacation bookings, marking a remarkable 20 percent increase in sales compared to the previous year. The rising demand has underscored the importance of comprehensive travel agent training in this specialized sector. Adding to the excitement, the annual Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Land Summit was recently held at the Secrets/Dreams Playa Mujeres in Cancun, Mexico, in collaboration with the Hyatt Inclusive Collection.

Over four enriching days, more than 140 travel advisors participated in a range of interactive workshops, engaging agent panels, insightful round-table discussions, hotel events, and thorough site inspections.

Mary Ellen Burke, the national director of sales for Hyatt Inclusive Collection, expressed her delight in hosting the 2023 Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Land Summit at the breathtaking Secrets and Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf and Spa Resort. She emphasized the privilege of networking and collaborating with key travel advisors and the leadership team. Burke conveyed Inclusive Collection’s pride and gratitude for its robust partnership with Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, anticipating continued growth and success together.

In tandem with the booming year for land vacations, several shifts in consumer preferences were noted:

• Dream Vacations and CruiseOne observed an extended average booking window.
• The demand for luxury experiences remained high.
• The Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe maintained their status as extremely popular destinations, with bookings showing a significant uptick.

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne travel advisors attributed their business growth to the comprehensive marketing programs provided. The marketing team introduced an innovative initiative titled “Destination Spotlight,” with the Dominican Republic as the inaugural featured destination. The aim is to empower agents to showcase the highlighted destination and inspire their customers. The agent’s toolkit includes a dedicated landing page, email templates, customizable assets, and engaging social media content.

Additionally, a land-exclusive promotion, funded by the franchise, is set to run from September 19th through October 3rd to commemorate the 2023 Land Summit.

Sean Tolkin, the vice president of land strategy and network performance for Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, highlighted the significance of smaller training groups, enabling advisors to forge meaningful connections with suppliers and peers. The Land Summit equipped them with the latest tools, resources, and content, enhancing their ability to generate new leads and maintain loyal customers.

Notably, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne officially endorsed the TAToolkit, developed by Dream Vacations franchise owner Debby Corwin. This comprehensive resource offers first-hand accounts of various resorts, empowering travel advisors to confidently sell and recommend packages. The Land Summit marked the conclusion of the 2023 Immersive Education Series, which provided in-depth training on niche topics such as group travel, luxury experiences, and river cruising.

Jeff Leach, a Dream Vacations franchise owner based in Omaha, Neb., emphasized the importance of attending the Land Summit, especially for nurturing supplier relationships. He commended the opportunity to connect with new contacts and rekindle existing relationships. Leach and fellow advisors gained valuable insights while exploring stunning resorts, enabling them to provide guests with firsthand recommendations and information. He praised the exceptional efforts of the Dream Vacations/CruiseOne staff in organizing this remarkable event.

For more information, visit www.dreamvacationsfranchise.com.